2014 Regents' Outstanding Teaching Awards
Eugene John
Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
College of Engineering
Eugene John, professor in the College of Engineering’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been teaching at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) since 2001, and with the UT system since 1995. In addition to having 19 years of teaching experience in the field of electrical and computer engineering, John has ongoing funded research in the same field.
“Dr. John is a very sensitive teacher and he is tuned into students’ needs and learning styles,” said Dr. Mehdi Shadaram, interim dean of the College of Engineering and Briscoe Distinguished Professor. “He is sincerely interested in his students’ betterment and teaches them wholeheartedly, while mentoring them towards success.”
John says he is continually trying to evolve his teaching based on his assessment of his students’ learning outcomes, student evaluations, technological advances, and professional advancement.
“Dr. John deserves this award not only for his superb teaching style, but because his passion for teaching extends far beyond the walls of any classroom,” said IBM engineer Marissa Amaya. Amaya is a graduate of the College of Engineering's electrical and computer engineering program and one of Dr. John’s former students. “His students are not a nameless crowd of faces to him, they are capable individuals that he trusts, supports, and mentors in any way that he can. His professionalism, fairness, and positivity are something to be admired, and his unwavering moral character garners the full respect of his students.”
John is passionate about undergraduate teaching and research, and it shows. He has mentored or co-mentored several undergraduate students at UTSA, is the PI for a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate (NSF REU) grant, and has written several proposals to acquire funds for undergraduate research.
“I strongly believe that research is complementary to teaching,” said John. “This is why I always involve undergraduates in my research projects. Involving undergraduate students allows them to develop skills in critical thinking, investigation and problem solving.”
Story by Deborah Silliman Wolfe
