The University of Texas System
01/09/2026 | Press release | Archived content
University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers inducts eight new members
AUSTIN, TX - The University of Texas System's Academy of Distinguished Teachers, the only system-wide university teaching academy in the United States, has inducted eight new faculty members. The new fellows join other outstanding faculty members from UT academic institutions working to enhance teaching excellence, promote innovation, and share educational initiatives across the UT System and the state of Texas.
"New fellows join a special group devoted to transformative education," said UT System Chancellor John M. Zerwas at the induction ceremony. "Teaching excellence is essential to the UT System's mission because every well-prepared nurse, engineer, teacher, doctor, scientist, software developer, manager, artist and public servant make for a stronger Texas."
Established in 2012, the University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers is composed of faculty scholars with exceptional records of accomplishment as classroom teachers and mentors. Representing all nine of the academic institutions of the UT System, Academy Fellows serve in an advisory role for the UT System leadership.
Members of the Academy, individually and collectively, work to improve the quality of teaching across the UT System, promote pedagogical innovation, and facilitate educational discourses and other initiatives across the state. Since 2012, the Academy has produced the Little Orange Books series, featuring essays by Fellows, institutional leadership and students that offer thoughtful advice and reflections on classroom learning.
"Congratulations to our newest fellows," said Rebecca Karoff, PhD, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. "They are thought leaders at their institutions and beyond, creative in the strategies they bring to their courses and classrooms, and they put students first ensuring their readiness for all that comes next as they complete degrees and pursue careers."
The 2025 inductees are:
Gina Amatangelo
The University of Texas at San Antonio
A Distinguished Teaching Professor and Professor of Practice in Public Administration, Gina Amatangelo serves as Associate Dean of the Honors College and is leading civil discourse efforts and strategic initiatives in this role. Professor Amatangelo teaches courses on public policy research, public administration, managing public conflict and civic leadership.
Kerrie Anne Ambort-Clark
The University of Texas at Tyler
A member of the management faculty and Assistant Dean in the Soules College of Business, Professor Ambort-Clark leads operations and strategic initiatives, designing, developing, and executing the implementation of programs and curricula in business.
Erika Bsumek
The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Bsumek is the Ellen Clark Temple Chair in Women's History. She has written on Native American history, environmental history/studies, the history of the built environment, and the history of the U.S. West. She is also the creator of a digital timeline and network mapping software platform called ClioVis, which enables students and researchers to create time-aligned network maps of their class/research projects.
Jennifer Dilley
The University of Texas at San Antonio
A Distinguished Teaching Professor and a Professor of Instruction, Jennifer Dilley has worked to create courses that highlight the political and social histories of the U.S. and beyond. Professor Dilley's most recent research and teaching emphasize experiential learning with a focus on the importance of participation in our democracy.
David Han
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Dr. Han is a Distinguished Teaching Professor and Romo Endowed Professor. His teaching and research integrate statistical modeling and inference, and information systems disciplines. His scholarly interests span reliability and survival analysis, operations research, and AI-driven education.
Marcela Hebbard
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
A Senior Lecturer in the Department of Writing and Language Studies, Professor Hebbard integrates her teaching and service to support student learning, engagement, and retention in core writing classes. Her research interests include writing pedagogies in the age of artificial intelligence and the construction of language.
Clint Peinhardt
The University of Texas at Dallas
Dr. Peinhardt is a Professor of Political Science, Public Policy and Political Economy. His primary research interest is how politics affects international economics. He teaches classes on international organizations, international political economy, international finance, and soccer and politics.
Peggy Semingson
The University of Texas at Arlington
Dr. Semingson is an Associate Professor of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in the Department of Linguistics and TESOL. She currently serves as the Interim Director of the UTA Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence (CRTLE).
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