MESP Teaching Recognition Award

In spring 2026, the Middle Eastern Studies Program will present the Teaching Recognition Award (TRA) to one of its affiliated faculty members. The TRA was established in 2016 to recognize excellence in teaching and to appreciate the indispensable contributions of our faculty to the enhancement of knowledge of the MENA region. The TRA committee will select one candidate from among nominated faculty members as the award recipient. At the annual spring reception, the award recipient will be presented with a plaque and a research fund of $500 for purchasing research materials and books or defraying conference travel expenses. All MESP-affiliated faculty members are eligible for the award. The criteria for selection, among others, includes the quality of teaching—assessed by student evaluations—and the number of courses taught during the past three years. Faculty may also be considered for the award not just for their excellence with respect to timetabled courses, but through the full range of pedagogical and curricular activities in which our faculty are engaged, directed studies of any sort; collaborative scholarship with students; academic advising, mentoring and career placement; teaching and learning activities connected with advising student organizations and other co-curricular activities; curriculum development; pedagogical innovation, etc. Nominees can self-nominate or be nominated by other MESP faculty and/or students by sending a brief nomination letter via email to Professor Yael Zeira at mailto:yzeira@syr.edu. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, April 1, 2026.