Ajay Anand, Christopher Muir, and Pablo Sierra Silva all have reshaped departmental programs focused on experiential learning.
Although the recipients of this year’s Goergen Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching work in different fields, they share two common traits: in addition to being masters of innovative teaching at the University of Rochester, they each have deep commitments to experiential learning.
This year’s winners are:
- Ajay Anand, an associate professor with the Goergen Institute for Data Science
- Christopher Muir, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Pablo Sierra Silva, an associate professor in the Department of History
The recipients will be honored on October 27 with a ceremony in the Feldman Ballroom in Frederick Douglass Commons.
Established in 1997 by University Trustee and Board Chair Emeritus Robert Goergen ’60 and his wife, Pamela, the award recognizes distinction in undergraduate teaching among faculty in Arts, Sciences & Engineering at the University.
“This year’s awardees are all innovators who have shaped and reshaped their programs, creating a better, more immersive experience for students,” says Jeffrey Runner, dean of the College. “In Chris Muir’s hugely popular senior design class, students select their own project; Ajay Anand has grown his capstone projects from 20 to 110 in six years, connecting students with 70 corporate sponsors; and Pablo Sierra Silva puts students back in time in his classes, as they take on sometimes uncomfortable but important roles.”
Nominations come from students, faculty, staff members, and administrators. The winners are chosen by Runner; Gloria Culver, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences; and Wendi Heinzelman, dean of the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences.
Anand joined the University in 2017 and also serves as deputy director of the Goergen Institute for Data Science. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Bombay, India; master’s degrees from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the University of Washington; and a doctorate from the University of Washington.
Muir came to the University in 2014. He earned a bachelor’s, a master’s, and a doctoral degree from Lehigh University.
Sierra Silva joined the University in 2013. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s and doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Discover how these professors make learning ever better
Ajay Anand: When learning data science, experience is the best teacher
The deputy director of the Goergen Institute for Data Science has grown a capstone course that offers students hands-on projects with real data.
Christopher Muir: Designing career paths for future mechanical engineers
The engineering professor draws from his vast experiences in the workplace to teach problem-solving mindsets.
Pablo Sierra Silva: Using primary sources to immerse students in the past
The history professor leads his class back in time to analyze events that shaped today’s world.
