EL PASO, Texas – Juan Noveron, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at The University of Texas at El Paso, will be inducted into The University of Texas System’s Academy of Distinguished Teachers on Wednesday, April 29, 2015.
The Academy of Distinguished Teachers was created in 2012 to recognize excellence among educators at The University of Texas System’s nine academic institutions. The members of this select academy serve as an advocacy group dedicated to improving teaching, developing innovation in the classroom and endorsing interdisciplinary views on education.
Noveron is one of four outstanding educators from the UT System’s nine academic institutions who will be inducted into the academy’s 2015 class. Membership in the academy is based on excellence in teaching at the undergraduate or graduate level combined with extraordinary contributions to the educational mission of the UT System. All members must be past recipients of the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award and also must hold the rank of associate professor or professor, or have a teaching-intensive position with a title such as senior lecturer or distinguished senior lecturer.
Three UTEP professors, including Noveron, have been inducted into the academy since its establishment three years ago. Out of the nine UT universities, only eight institutions have members induced into the academy.
“Dr. Noveron is a gifted lecturer, and he distinguishes himself as an excellent mentor to undergraduate students in his laboratory,” said Howard C. Daudistel, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at UTEP said. “He is a leader in innovative pedagogy on campus, teaching current and future teachers along with traditional undergraduate and graduate students in chemistry.”
Noveron, who has been teaching chemistry at UTEP for 12 years, said he shows his students the scholarship process that he learned from others by sharing his passion for the natural sciences.
“I continuously remind my students of my belief in their highest aspirations because our dreams need believers to help those aspirations come true,” Noveron said.
He also is the recipient of numerous teaching awards and is the Provost’s Faculty Fellow-In-Residence at UTEP’s Office of Undergraduate Studies.
“Dr. Noveron is a Distinguished UT teacher because he deeply cares for his students and dedicates his time so that they learn,” said Jorge Gardea-Torresdey, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Chemistry. “I often have students come to my office to tell me how much they appreciate Dr. Noveron’s teaching efforts.”
Membership in the Academy of Distinguished Teachers is lifelong, as the members are expected to continue to encourage excellence and to participate actively in the activities that promote its mission.
The University of Texas at El Paso prides itself on its mission of access and excellence. Having three faculty members inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers validates UTEP’s goals for learning and teaching, which include preparing students to meet lifelong intellectual, ethical and career challenges, and to be the leaders of the 21st century.