Academic excellence has struck a vibrant chord at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where two faculty members have been distinguished with the prestigious 2025 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards by the University of Texas System Board of Regents. The honorees are Carolina Valencia, a clinical associate professor and program director of the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences, and Lela Vukovic, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Both have been celebrated for their remarkable contributions to education amongst just 12 chosen across the UT System's academic and health institutions.
With an educational ethos deeply rooted in innovation and student success, Dr. Valencia's achievements resonate within the halls of UTEP. Her accolades span a variety of recognitions, including the UTEP EDGE Faculty Champion Award and the Mentor of the Year Award. "My role as an educator, instructor, mentor, director, advisor, and Hispanic woman in today's complex world is to enhance students' capacity to learn, facilitate dialogue and provide access to resources," Valencia told UTEP Newsfeed. A testament to her dedication is the impact felt by each student who passes through her programs.
Exemplifying the spirit of curiosity and determination, Dr. Vukovic's influence stretches beyond the campus to her field, where her cutting-edge computational methods in chemistry are recognized. After being awarded a Humboldt Research Fellowship, her role at UTEP plays an integral part in shaping minds prepared for STEM challenges. "As an educator and a first-generation graduate, my purpose is to help students grow, persist and thrive in STEM by pairing rigorous chemistry with support," Vukovic said, as per UTEP Newsfeed.
