The Center for Teaching Excellence recognizes the recipients of the 2025-2026 Graduate Student Teaching Awards. Representing colleges, schools, and departments across the university, these outstanding graduate educators have been recognized for their dedication to teaching, their impact on student learning, and their commitment to continuous growth as instructors.

While each recipient's teaching journey is unique, they all share a passion for helping students learn, grow, and succeed. To celebrate this achievement, recipients were invited to reflect on the following question:  "What has been the most rewarding part of teaching for you, or what has been a valuable lesson learned as you have progressed through your teaching development?"  Their responses offer insight into the experiences that have shaped their teaching, the relationships they have built with students, and the lessons they will carry forward throughout their careers as educators.

Congratulations to this year's recipients on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for the important contributions you make to teaching and learning at USC. 

2025-2026 Graduate Student Teaching Award Recipients 

College of Education

D’Arion Johnston

Counselor Education 
The Graduate School’s Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, Instructor of Record

D’Arion Johnston is a 3rd year Ph.D. student in Counselor Education & Supervision in the Department of Education and Developmental Science and has taught multiple EDCE courses including Career Planning and Development (EDCE 210), Counseling Through a Multicultural Lens: Understanding Self and Others (EDCE 340), and Introduction to Counseling Profession (EDCE 360). Her dissertation examines patterns of psychophysiological regulation among children exposed to adverse childhood experiences by exploring how heart rate variability, emotional regulation, and belongingness unfold over time within Child-Centered Group Play Therapy. 

In her words: “The most rewarding part of teaching has been creating learning environments where students feel challenged, supported, and empowered to grow. As an instructor, I have learned that meaningful learning occurs when students can connect theory to lived experience. Watching students gain confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and discover their own potential has reinforced my commitment to becoming a counselor educator who values curiosity, reflection, and authentic engagement.”

College of Information and Communications 

Maryam Goli

School of Journalism and Mass Communications 
School of Journalism and Mass Communications Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award 

Maryam Goli is a 2nd year doctoral student in mass communications in the College of Information and Communications. She has taught Public Relations Writing (JOUR 436) and Writing for Mass Communications (JOUR 291), for which she won the award. Under the supervision of Dr. Sei-Hill Kim, she is currently exploring how the public adopts emerging technologies. Her research interests include digital activism, public relations ethics, science communication, and health communication. 

In her words: “I read somewhere that teaching is an act of justice, and I believed it. Students notice when you are fair, and they remember it! We remember this from when we were students! Fairness is not a rubric, and it's not just about how you grade; it is about simple stuff that makes every student feel they belong. If you are going to learn your students' names, learn everybody's name or no one's, making sure quieter students have space to speak, or being upfront about what you expect. Simple stuff can change the entire dynamic of a class." 

College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management 

Omid Oshriyeh

Hospitality Management 
Outstanding Doctoral Student Teaching Award, HRSM 

Omid Oshriyeh is a 4th year Ph.D. student in Hospitality Management within the College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, winning the HRSM Teaching award for teaching several courses including Hotel Management (HTMT 260), Hospitality and Tourism Marketing (HTMT 450), and Sustainable Tourism Planning and Policy (HRTM 482).  Under the mentorship of Dr. Ercan Sirakaya-Turk, his research examines how travelers interpret digital information, build trust, and assess risk in service settings, with a focus on online platforms, data privacy, and cybersecurity. 

In his words: “The moments that stay with me are usually small: a student making a sharper argument than they did a month earlier, connecting a concept to their work, or realizing their own experience belongs in the discussion. I also care deeply about helping students leave class more prepared for the jobs they want. Teaching has taught me that clarity matters, but so does trust; students grow most when they feel valued and taken seriously.” 

College of Pharmacy 

Elizaveta Korunova

Pharmaceutical Sciences 
The Graduate School’s Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award Finalist, Graduate Teaching Assistant 

Elizaveta Korunova is a 4th year Ph.D. student in Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences Track, winning the award for teaching Biochemistry Laboratory (BIOL 541L/CHEM 550L). Her research in Dr. Michael Shtutman’s lab studies how small-molecule therapeutics affect cellular stress responses and RNA regulation, with the goal of identifying new strategies for drug development and disease treatment. 

In her words: “The most rewarding part of teaching has been watching students transition from simply following protocols to thinking like scientists. Through active learning, experimental design discussions, and data analysis, I have learned that students gain confidence and deeper understanding when they are encouraged to ask why a method works, defend their decisions, and connect laboratory results to broader scientific questions.” 

McCausland College of Arts and Sciences 

Brian Harrold

Statistics 
The Graduate School’s Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award Finalist, Instructor of Record 

Brian Harrold is a 5th year Ph.D. student in Statistics, teaching Elementary Statistics (STAT 201), for which he won the award.  Working with his advisor, Dr. Brian Habing, his current research focuses on Bayesian methods and latent variable models in psychometrics with applications to educational measurement and cognitive diagnosis. 

In his words: “The most rewarding part of teaching has been helping students shift their perspective on statistics from a collection of formulas to a system of reasoning. I enjoy seeing students recognize that statistical analysis involves judgment and interpretation, and that different approaches can lead to equally defensible conclusions. One lesson I have learned is that meaningful understanding, much like statistics itself, begins with a good question; the questions we ask shape the methods, assumptions, and conclusions.” 

Yuxin Jiang

Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, Linguistics 

Yuxin Jiang is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Linguistics program, teaching Elementary Chinese Mandarin (CHIN 121) and Basic Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese (CHIN 122) for the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, for which she won the award.  Under the supervision of Dr. Elaine Chun, she is currently working on a sociolinguistic project that examines how the so-called “TikTok refugees” negotiate linguistic appropriateness in multilingual online interactions, focusing on their evaluations and regimentation of (Mandarin) Chinese, English, and other language varieties. 

In her words: “The most rewarding part of teaching for me is getting to know my students’ interests, the challenges they face in language learning, and their individual journeys. Understanding their perspectives helps me take on the role of teacher with more confidence, whether in preparing materials, adapting my communication style, or building meaningful connections with them.” 

Tyler Rielly

Statistics 
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, Statistics 

Tyler Rielly is a rising 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Department of Statistics, winning the award for teaching the Elementary Statistics lab (STAT 201).  He is currently focused on passing his Qualifying Exam. 

In his words: “The most valuable part of teaching for me is the moment a student understands a topic, especially when they have an 'aha!' moment. It gives me confidence that I am reaching the students and that I understand the material enough to convey it well.” 

Keri Sanchez-Sandoval

Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, Spanish 

Keri Sanchez-Sandoval just completed her first year as a Ph.D. student in Spanish in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and taught Beginning Spanish 1 (SPAN 109) and Basic Proficiency in Spanish (SPAN 122) for which she won the award.  Her emerging research interests examine representations of masculinity and male immigration in twentieth- and twenty-first-century Hispanic/Latino literature and culture. 

In her words: “As a former public school teacher, I have found the most rewarding part of teaching to be creating a classroom where students feel encouraged, supported, and confident in taking risks in Spanish. Through low-stakes strategies such as individual whiteboards, I reduce language-learning anxiety and make participation more inclusive. Seeing students collaborate, make mistakes, revise, and grow together affirms that a supportive, interactive classroom builds confidence and community.” 

Md. Ariful Islam Sanim

Statistics  
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, Statistics 

Md. Ariful Islam Sanim is a 4th year Ph.D. student in the Department of Statistics, teaching the Elementary Statistics lab (STAT 201) for which he won the award. With Dr. William Consagra, he is conducting research focusing on functional data analysis for high-dimensional data. 

In his words: “One of the most rewarding parts of teaching for me is building a connection with students and creating a classroom where they feel comfortable asking questions and participating. I enjoy making lectures interactive and seeing students become more confident with the material. Over time, I have learned that being approachable and adapting to students’ needs can make a big difference. Hearing a student say they enjoyed my teaching and professionalism at the end of the semester is always incredibly rewarding.” 

Rok Sim

Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 
The Graduate School’s Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, Graduate Teaching Assistant 

Rok Sim just graduated with a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. He won the Graduate School’s Teaching award for teaching Elementary Korean (KORE 121) and Basic Proficiency in Korean (KORE 122).  His scholarly work, advised by Dr. Stanley Dubinsky and Dr. Emily Manetta, uses Korean and English language data to explore how language changes over time and how it reflects meaning, culture, and social life. 

In his words: “The most rewarding part of teaching is seeing students grow, not only in their Korean language skills but also in their understanding of culture and the people who use the language. As they learn Korean, they begin to see how language and culture shape each other. More broadly, they become more open-minded, curious, and empathetic toward other languages, cultures, and ways of seeing the world, as learners and community members.” 

Justine Truc

History 
History Award for Excellence in Teaching 

Justine Truc is a 6th year Ph.D. student in the History Department, teaching Science and Technology in World History (HIST 108) and United States History Since 1865 (HIST 111), for which she won the award.  She is currently conducting research under Dr. Kent Germany examining mass incarceration and the South Carolina Department of Corrections in the late twentieth century.  

In her words: “One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that every student has different needs, and it's our responsibility as educators to adapt and support them in the ways they need to truly thrive! I also feel very successful when students feel seen enough to reach out when they need support. Over time, I've learned that teaching is just as much about building human connections as it is about delivering course material.”  

Ryan Walsh

Marine Science 
SEOE Outstanding Teaching Award in Marine Science 

Ryan Walsh is currently a 2nd year Master’s student in the Marine Science Program within the School of Earth, Ocean and Environment, winning the award for teaching The Living Ocean Lab (MSCI 102L) and Biology of Marine Organisms Lab (MSCI 311L).  His current work in Dr. Erin Meyer-Gutbrod's Conservation Oceanography Lab is to study the health and movements of gray whales along the US west coast. 

In his words: “The most rewarding part of teaching has been to see student growth in the classroom and then hear how newly inspired interests and learned skillsets helped students land internship opportunities. Being able to see the positive progression of valuable skills such as analyzing data or writing in the scientific disciplines in each of my students makes the job of being their teaching assistant very rewarding.” 

Liuxu Yang

Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, Linguistics 

Liuxu Yang is a 2nd year Ph.D. student in the Linguistics program, teaching Elementary Chinese Mandarin (CHIN 121) and Basic Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese (CHIN 122) for the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, for which she won the award. Her scholarship examines bilingualism issues among Mandarin heritage speakers. 

In her words: “The most rewarding part of my teaching is seeing growth in both my students and myself. One student in CHIN 122 decided to minor in Chinese, which was a big step for her and an encouraging experience for me. She showed me that I should not only teach the language, but also introduce the rich culture and ancient wisdom behind it. The depth and beauty of Chinese culture are what make the language fascinating.”  

Xunan Yang

Statistics 
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award, Statistics 

Xunan Yang is a 4th year Ph.D. student in the Department of Statistics. He has taught the Elementary Statistics lab (STAT 201) lab for two years, for which he won the award. With an academic background in engineering, he has enjoyed continuing his journey in statistics. 

In his words: “My teaching has been shaped by many wonderful professors, instructors, and classmates in my department who have taught, guided, and supported me. Helping students in my classes learn the fundamentals of statistics is one of the reasons I find teaching meaningful and feel a strong sense of responsibility in the classroom. I find teaching especially rewarding because I not only teach students, but also receive feedback from them and continue to improve myself.” 

Elijah Bartholomew

Physics and Astronomy 
Physics and Astronomy Graduate Student Teaching Award 

Jiyuan Ren

Languages, Literatures, and Cultures 
Comparative Literature Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award 

Jonathan "JD" Ross

Geological Sciences
Stephen F. Taber Award for Outstanding Teaching in Geological Sciences 

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry’s Joseph W. Bouknight Teaching Award Winners  

• Richard Anum
• John Barber
• Alexander Bergamo
• Trinity Blackmon
• Addison Bowen
• James Boyt
• Courtney Carter
• Mackenzie Crow
• Jackson Hardister
• Kevin Johnson
• Joanna Kwao
• Christopher LeBarron
• Kittima Lekmanee
• Laura Maybach
• Sachini C.D. Mudiyanselage
• Emma Otey
• Pavithra  
• Jenyn Pinkley
• Sepehr Rastegar
• Abdulla Shaker
• Nicole Snyder
• Julian Stetzler
• Gabrielle Tellier
• Ryan Wernsman