Five esteemed members of Northwestern’s faculty — Masi Asare, Barbara Butts, Mei-Ling Hopgood, Ilya Mikhelson, and Cynthia Nazarian — have been selected to receive the prestigious 2024 University Teaching Awards. This annual accolade is bestowed upon professors who exhibit outstanding excellence and innovation in undergraduate instruction.
“These remarkable individuals serve as a testament to the profound impact faculty members can have on the lives of our students — not only during their time at Northwestern, but long after they have graduated,” stated Provost Kathleen Hagerty. “I am immensely proud of each of them and deeply grateful for their exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to our students’ success.”
The nominees were put forward by the deans of the respective schools or colleges in which they hold primary appointments. The honorees were then meticulously selected by a committee chaired by the provost, comprised of senior faculty members, university administrators, and a student representative.
“I am delighted that we are recognizing these five faculty members who demonstrate tremendous passion and commitment to teaching,” remarked Miriam Sherin, associate provost for undergraduate education. “Their utilization of innovative and inclusive practices exemplifies the pinnacle of undergraduate instruction at Northwestern.”
In addition to the honor, the award includes a salary stipend for the next three years, along with funds allocated for professional development. The term of the award commences at the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 22, at Guild Lounge on the Evanston campus, with provisions made for live streaming.
Masi Asare Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Pedagogical Excellence
Masi Asare, a distinguished songwriter, dramatist, vocalist, and performance scholar, imparts her expertise as an instructor of theater and an artist. She champions the notion that contemporary musical theater artists “play an integral role in the history of musical theater and its impact on society.” Her department chair lauded her, stating, “In crafting musical realms, her keen senses are attuned to the current zeitgeist and the intricate narratives of race, gender, and politics that shape our world.”
Asare’s emphasis on delving into the historical context of the art forms she teaches ensures that her students make discerning decisions regarding their own creative endeavors. One student praised Asare, stating, “She possesses a profound understanding of the medium of musical theater, synthesizing its diverse forms and propelling ideas about its future trajectories.”
Empowering and challenging her students intellectually and technically is a top priority for Asare. Commending her anatomical understanding of the voice, one student remarked, “She elicited sounds from students that we had never explored before.” Another student praised her academic rigor, stating, “She actively seeks to challenge the preconceived notions of everyone in the classroom, including herself.”
Asare’s versatility as an instructor is admired by both her peers and her department chair, who described her as “a highly skilled and multidimensional teacher, equally adept at teaching theory as she is at teaching practice, and comfortable in navigating diverse subjects such as music theater history, lyric writing, and vocal technique.”
Barbara Butts Charles Deering McCormick Distinguished Professor of Instruction
Barbara Butts, renowned for her extensive experience as a production manager and managing director of the Wirtz Center for Performing Arts, as well as her tenure as a stage manager for numerous prestigious theaters, has been hailed as a “legend in her field” by colleagues. She consistently leverages this wealth of experience to benefit her students.
Butts, the architect of the theater department’s Arts Management & Leadership Program, believes that “combining coursework with mentored creative experiences equips students with the skills to become leaders and innovators.” She often engages students in role-playing exercises with professionals to hone their interpersonal skills, utilizes singing to teach timing, and encourages collective problem-solving to foster critical thinking and action. This real-world-centered approach, according to Butts’ department chair, “provides a direct bridge to the industry for her students, many of whom are among the most sought-after managers in the field.”
Students also commend Butts for her guidance in planning their post-collegiate careers. One student expressed gratitude, saying, “Thanks to Professor Butts, I have had the opportunity to engage with professionals from various fields, from circus stage managers to HR specialists, and this has been invaluable for my career.”
Beyond her professional insights, Butts is valued as an advocate for her students in all aspects of their lives. One student emphasized, “Barbara provides advice and comfort with grace and sincerity, always starting with the question: How can I help?”
Mei-Ling Hopgood Charles Deering McCormick Distinguished Clinical Professor
Journalist and author Mei-Ling Hopgood, who joined Northwestern in 2012, brings her passion for global and multicultural journalism and storytelling to Medill students. She prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in her work inside and outside the classroom, viewing storytelling as an opportunity to effect change on a global scale.
Hopgood’s dean has lauded her as the “beating heart of diversity and inclusion at Medill.” As the inaugural director of Medill’s global programs, she has designed workshops and seminars that equip faculty and students to engage in reporting that is intentional, respectful, and attuned to the resilience of the communities they cover.
Students praise Hopgood for maintaining exceptionally high journalistic standards and helping them identify and achieve their goals. One student remarked, “Professor Hopgood consistently pushed me to produce professional, polished articles beyond what I thought I was capable of.”
Hopgood’s influence extends beyond the classroom, with students acknowledging her role in pushing the school forward to meet industry needs.
Hopgood is the William F. Thomas Professor of Journalism in the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.
Ilya Mikhelson Charles Deering McCormick Distinguished Professor of Instruction
Ilya Mikhelson encapsulates his teaching philosophy with two words: “empowerment” and “accessibility.” From his earliest days of teaching, he has sought to ensure that all students have equal access to his teachings and leave his courses feeling less intimidated by challenges.
Mikhelson’s innovative approaches have made a significant impact on Northwestern students. His chair noted that Mikhelson’s course, Engineering Analysis I, required for all students in the McCormick School of Engineering, has a broad educational impact.
Students commend Mikhelson for making complex subjects accessible and enjoyable. One graduate described him as “an amazing professor who always makes learning fun and encourages students to challenge themselves.”
Mikhelson is an associate professor of instruction in electrical and computer engineering at McCormick.
Cynthia Nazarian Charles Deering McCormick Professor of Teaching Excellence
Specializing in Renaissance literature, Cynthia Nazarian teaches primarily in French. While she acknowledges the challenges of teaching material that is remote in time and language for her students, she encourages them to push through these difficulties with enthusiasm.
Nazarian is praised for her ability to make ancient texts relevant to modern life and for her engaging teaching style.
Nazarian is an associate professor in the department of French and Italian in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.