About the Award

The Distinguished Teaching Award was established in 1995 and recognizes a University of Washington Tacoma faculty member. Recipients are chosen based on a variety of criteria including reflective teaching practice, commitment to inclusive teaching and mentoring, dedication to creating transformative learning experiences, and service as a mentor, collaborator, and consultant. 

2025 Recipient

Martine De Cock, Ph.D. 


Professor, School Engineering & Technology 

Through an iterative and reflective teaching practice, Dr. De Cock has designed transformative learning experiences, including adaptation of a course that allowed students to develop real world, career focused skills to create better AI models. She also led the development of the PhD in Computer Science and Systems at UWT, with the goal of expanding access throughout the region for outstanding students from diverse backgrounds.  Dr. De Cock’s commitment to inclusive teaching, mentoring, and valuing students’ experience has positively impacted the professional and academic trajectories of her students and mentees.

2024-2025 Committee

  • Emma Rose, Associate Professor and Committee Chair, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
  • Nara Almeida, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Engineering & Technology
  • Amanda Pirog, Business User and Experience Librarian, UW Tacoma Library
  • S. Joseph Shin, Assistant Professor, Milgard School of Business 

Past Recipients

  • 2024 - Emma Rose, Associate Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
  • 2023 - Ellen Bayer, Associate Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
  • 2022 - Claudia Sellmaier, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work & Criminal Justice
  • 2021 - Weichao Yuwen, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership
  • 2020 - Tanya Grace Velasquez, Associate Teaching Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
  • 2019 - Anaid Yerena, Assistant Professor, Urban Studies
  • 2018 – Danica Sterud Miller, Assistant Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
  • 2017 - Divya McMillin, Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
  • 2016 - Yan Bai, Associate Professor, Institute of Technology
  • 2015 - Ellen Moore, Lecturer, School of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
    • Video "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly of Teaching: Engagement, Advocacy, Activism, Critical Pedagogy (and Teachable Moments)"
  • 2014 - Donald Chinn, Associate Professor, Institute of Technology
    • ​​Video (Keating, Kingsfield, and Watson: Reflections on the Fiction and Reality of Teaching)
  • 2013 - Carolyn West, Associate Professor, IAS
  • 2012 - Christine Stevens, Associate Professor, Nursing
  • 2011 - Matthew Weinstein, Professor, Education
  • 2010 - Mark Pendras, Assistant Professor, Urban Studies
  • 2009 - Janice Laakso, Associate Professor, Social Work
  • 2008 - Richard Knuth, Assistant Professor, Education
  • 2007 - Kent Nelson, Senior Lecturer, Milgard School of Business
  • 2006 - Cheryl Greengrove, Associate Professor, IAS
  • 2005 - Mike Allen, Professor, IAS
  • 2004 - Beth Kalikoff, Assistant Professor, IAS
  • 2003 - Ruth Rea, Assistant Professor, Nursing
  • 2002 - John Peterson, Senior Lecturer, IAS
  • 2001 - Jose Rios, Assistant Professor, Education
  • 2000 - Julie Nicoletta, Associate Professor, IAS
  • 1999 - Linda McElvey, Assistant Professor, Business Administration
  • 1998 - June Lowenberg, Associate Professor, Nursing
  • 1997 - Janet Primomo, Associate Professor, Nursing
  • 1996 - Rob Crawford, Professor, IAS
  • 1995 - Mike Kalton, Professor, IAS