Eugene John
Professor
College of Engineering
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award winner 2014

The College of Engineering’s Eugene John was one of the four faculty members of The University of Texas at San Antonio who were among 96 educators from the 15 academic and health institutions in the UT System to be named recipients of the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards for 2014.

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 College of Engineering’s Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Policies Mehdi Shadaram. “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 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 principal investigator 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.”

This is the sixth consecutive year that UTSA faculty members have been honored with the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards (ROTA), believed to be among the single largest financial teaching awards programs in the country. Each of the honorees will receive an unrestricted check for $25,000, and were recognized for their achievement at an Aug. 20 reception and dinner in Austin.

“This recognition is a testament to the exceptional faculty members at UTSA who are preparing our students to become tomorrow’s leaders,” said UTSA President Ricardo Romo. “Their commitment to excellence in teaching, research and community service is what makes UTSA a top-tier university.”

– Sherrie Voss Matthews