News Release

(ALPINE) – The Texas State University System Foundation today announced winners of the 2023 Regents’ Professor, Student Scholar, Teacher, and Staff Excellence Awards. The names of award winners were announced at the TSUS Board of Regents meeting in Alpine.

Regents’ Professor Award, which honors professors who demonstrate a record of distinguished teaching, research or other scholarly activities, and service at the local, state, and national levels.

• Arzu Ari, Ph.D. – Respiratory Care, Texas State University
• Cyrus Cassells – English, Texas State University

Regents’ Student Scholar Award, which recognizes students for outstanding academic achievement and scholarship, leadership abilities, and contributions to the institution and their community.

• Whitney Stahl – Business Administration major at Sam Houston State University
• Zaid Mohammed – Biology (Pre-Med) major at Lamar University

Regents’ Teacher Award, which recognizes faculty for outstanding teaching, contributions to the development of courses, and the use of innovative teaching methods, among other criteria.

• Andrea Foster, Ph.D. – Teaching and Learning, Sam Houston State University 
• Mary Petron, Ph.D. – Teaching and Learning, Sam Houston State University
• Catherine Cherrstrom, Ph.D. – Organization, Workforce and Leadership, Texas State University 
• Charise Pimentel, Ph.D. – Curriculum and Instruction, Texas State University
• Jon Zmikly – Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University

Regents’ Staff Excellence Award, which recognizes staff members who excel in six areas: commitment to the university and its mission; job competency; collegiality; duration of service; community involvement; and exceptional achievements.

• Shawn Gray – Assistant Vice President of Health, Wellness and Accessibility, Lamar University

Regents’ Professor, Student Scholar, and Staff Excellence award winners will be formally recognized at the November 2023 Board of Regents meeting in Beaumont. Regents’ Teacher Staff Excellence award winners will receive formal recognition at the February 2024 Board of Regents meeting in Huntsville.

About the Texas State University System
The Texas State University System is the state’s first university system, with seven institutions serving more than 88,000 students from far West Texas to the Gulf Coast. Established in 1911, the mission of TSUS is to provide high-quality, affordable degree and credential programs to meet the needs of Texas’ diverse and fast-growing economy.