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Professor Hollenback is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. Professor Hollenback’s letters of recommendation were exceptionally strong, emphasizing her effectiveness in teaching large lower-division courses, which she teaches every semester. Despite the fact that many students take these courses without an initial interest in archaeology or science, she consistently receives high evaluations, a testament to her ability to make science relatable and engaging. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom, as she is always available to support students outside of class. Her innovative teaching strategies, such as incorporating tech breaks and offering multiple exams with an optional final, have been instrumental in supporting SMU’s retention efforts and four-year graduation rates. Additionally, her use of experiential learning opportunities, both in and beyond the lab, further enriches her students’ academic experiences. The committee was particularly impressed by her excellent student evaluations and the kindness and thoughtfulness evident in her teaching philosophy. Her commitment to improving her students’ learning environments is further demonstrated by her successful fundraising efforts to remodel the classrooms she teaches in. 

Professor Langin-Hooper is an Associate Professor and Karl Kilinski II Endowed Chair in Hellenic and Visual Culture at the Department of Art History at the Meadows School of the Arts. Professor Langin-Hooper has earned multiple teaching awards at SMU, and her student evaluations, coupled with exceptionally high response rates, underscore her impact as an educator. Students have described her as “one of the best teachers I have ever had,” and colleagues praised her organization, confidence, patience, and clarity when teaching. Despite her impressive erudition, she remains approachable and accessible to her students. She has a remarkable ability to make the ancient world relevant to contemporary education, consciously examining it through the lens of the Near East rather than the traditional focus on Greece or Rome. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes designing courses that connect ancient art to modern life and the timeless exploration of the human condition. Beyond her classroom teaching, Professor Langin-Hooper has thoughtfully revised her own courses and the department’s curriculum, leading to a significant increase in Art History majors and minors.

Professor Offit is an Associate Professor of Law at the Dedman School of Law. Professor Offit received stellar letters of support highlighting her reputation as one of the best classroom teachers among the faculty, and having exceptional skills as an educator. Her effectiveness and professionalism are consistently admired by students, one of whom remarked, “Prof. Offit takes a rather dull and boring subject and turns it into an engaging learning environment.” Her teaching philosophy emphasizes fostering welcoming and collaborative spaces that value curiosity and critical thinking, and she views learning as a lifelong process beyond a J.D. or Ph.D. This philosophy extends to her dedication to mentoring students beyond graduation. With degrees in law and anthropology, Professor Offit uniquely blends legal practice with anthropological perspectives, providing students with a distinctive and well-rounded lens through which to understand the law. 

Professor Pavlakisis an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Policy and Leadership at the Simmons School of Education and Human Development. Professor Pavklakis seamlessly integrates her impactful scholarship into her teaching, enriching the educational experience for her students. Her student evaluations were highly complimentary, which is particularly noteworthy given the challenging nature of the topics covered in her courses. These courses, focusing on research design and methodology, cover subjects often perceived as less engaging by students. Her letters of support described her classes as “lively, fluid, and relevant to the work students are doing” while highlighting her “well-organized, thoughtfully designed curriculum that consistently challenged students while fostering a supportive learning environment.” She is one of the department’s most successful dissertation chairs, having hooded five graduates she mentored during last May’s commencement—the most of any EPL faculty member.