By Andi Anderson
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign annually presents the Campus Awards for Excellence in Faculty Leadership to distinguished faculty who enrich both the campus and wider community.
This year, four faculty members were recognized in three categories: faculty mentoring, distinguished executive officer, and outstanding faculty leadership.
Jennifer Teper, Bud Velde Preservation Librarian and head of Preservation Services, received the Excellence in Faculty Mentoring Award.
She has demonstrated exceptional commitment by mentoring pretenure and mid-career faculty, developing a supportive mentoring culture within the University Library. Teper has played a key role in designing mentoring programs and promoting faculty advancement pathways, serving on several important campus committees.
The Executive Officer Distinguished Leadership Award was presented to two faculty leaders: Rohit Bhargava, professor of bioengineering and founding director of the Cancer Center at Illinois, and Andrew Suarez, professor and acting head of the Department of Entomology.
Bhargava’s visionary leadership grew the Cancer Center into a nationally recognized institute with extensive research and educational programs, advancing cancer solutions. Suarez is noted for transformative leadership, fostering diversity, transparency, and community within his departments while promoting faculty and student visibility in science communication.
Vikram Adve, Donald B. Gillies Professor of Computer Science, earned the Outstanding Faculty Leadership Award.
Adve’s visionary work has transformed research and education by creating cross-disciplinary centers such as the Center for Digital Agriculture and the Artificial Intelligence for Future Agricultural Resilience, Management, and Sustainability Institute (AIFARMS).
These initiatives have positioned the university as a leader in AI applications for sustainable agriculture, securing millions in research funding.
These awards reflect the University of Illinois’s dedication to collaborative governance, academic excellence, and advancing fields critical to agriculture, health, and technology. The honored faculty members exemplify leadership that drives innovation and enriches the academic community.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Illinois, Education