TSEM Teaching Award
The TSEM Teaching Award recognizes exceptional teaching in TSEM courses during the current academic year. This award celebrates three TSEM faculty who demonstrated outstanding commitment to student success through innovative and effective TSEM instruction.
Nomination Process
Students and colleagues are invited to nominate faculty members who have made a significant impact through their TSEM teaching. Nominations should briefly highlight how the faculty member has excelled in teaching TSEM through methods such as:
- fostering meaningful student engagement
- supporting research skills and revision processes
- building an inclusive classroom community
- facilitating effective communication
- implementing innovative teaching approaches
- connecting course content to broader educational goals
No self-nominations will be accepted.
- Nominations are open from the 3rd Monday in April until the 1st Friday in May
Award Details
- Recipients will receive a $750 honorarium and a certificate of recognition.
- Awards will be presented at the faculty/staff welcome back event in Fall 2026.
Important Dates
- Nominations Open — Monday, April 20, 2026
- Nominations Close — Friday, May 8, 2026
- Application Materials for Nominated Faculty Due — Friday, June 12, 2026
- Decision Announced — Fall 2026
Application Materials
After nominations close, nominated faculty will be contacted. Those who wish to be considered for the award will be asked to submit:
- the syllabus from the TSEM section for which they were nominated
- a sample assignment or activity from that TSEM section
- a brief TSEM teaching statement (1 page) highlighting pedagogical approaches
- a letter of support from their department chair
Selection Process
A subcommittee of the TSEM Advisory Board will review all complete applications and make recommendations to the Office of the Provost. Selection will be based on evidence of teaching excellence, innovation, and positive impact on students.
For questions regarding the TSEM Teaching Award, please contact Emily Bailey, Director of the TSEM Program, by email ebailey AT_TOWSON or by phone 410-704-7112.
2024-2025 Awardees
Dr. Robert Caples is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Learning Technologies, Design and School Library Media in the College of Education. He received a TSEM teaching award for “Current Issues in Education: Living and Learning in a Digital Society,” a course that invites students to explore critical issues in digital culture as they navigate the transition to college life. Dr. Caples created a research-rich environment while prioritizing community-building through structured discussions and collaborative tools that fostered a real sense of belonging.
Dr. Gretchen Carlson is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Music in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. She received a TSEM teaching award for “Notable Music Makers,” which explores the lasting contributions of artists like Duke Ellington, John Williams and Ella Fitzgerald. Dr. Carlson designed her course to be engaging for all students, regardless of musical background. Through innovative projects, such as investigating the intersections of jazz and social activism, students developed research skills while discovering music's broader cultural significance.
Dr. Christian Koot is a Professor and Chair of the Department of History in the College of Liberal Arts. He received a TSEM teaching award for “Towson University Students in the Upheaval of the 20th Century,” a course that guides students through TU’s history during the transformative second half of the century. Partnering with Dr. Ashley Todd-Diaz, Director of Distinctive Collections and Digital Scholarship in Cook Library's Special Collections, Dr. Koot created an immersive learning experience that introduced students to the university archives while building transferable research and analytical skills.