Educator Excellence

The University of Texas System Board of Regents selected two UT Arlington faculty members—Sonia Kania, professor of Spanish, and Christy Spivey, clinical professor of economics—as recipients of the 2023 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Awards.

The two professors are among 14 faculty members across UT System’s multiple academic and health institutions recognized for their extraordinary classroom teaching performance and dedication to innovation. Each recipient will receive a medallion, a cash award of $25,000, and formal recognition by the Board of Regents.

“Both Dr. Kania and Dr. Spivey put their students first and exemplify our mission of ensuring the success of Maverick students,” President Jennifer Cowley says. “They represent the very best of UTA faculty and set a standard of excellence for our entire community.”

Kania has been transforming students’ lives at UTA for 20 years, having taught about 30 different courses in the Department of Modern Languages.

Spivey says she loves making connections with first-generation students in the classroom. She was one herself.

“I empathize with what some of them are going through,” she says. “I learn a lot from the students, their perspectives and the diversity they bring. And I love helping them beyond the classroom and in the workplace.”