Dr. Alexandra Pavlakis, an associate professor in Simmons Education Policy and Leadership Department, has been named a 2025 recipient of the Altschuler Distinguished Teaching Professor Award.
Pavlakis teaches leadership and qualitative methods courses on the doctoral and master’s level. Besides her work in the classroom, Pavlakis is also a successful researcher. She and colleague Meredith Richards created a comic book that helps educators see homelessness through the eyes of students. Uprooted: Voices of Student Homelessness is the result of years studying how homelessness affects students and the best ways to help them succeed in school. Thousands of copies of the graphic novel were requested and sent to school districts, shelters, non-profit organizations, universities, hospitals and even juvenile probation centers throughout the country.
The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) award’s selection committee said Dr. Pavlakis’ application stood out as a testament to her dedication to high-quality instruction and her commitment to fostering meaningful student learning experiences. The award honors her outstanding work both in the classroom and for her unwavering support of her students. Pavlakis was selected out of a field of SMU’s most outstanding professors.
As part of receiving the Altshuler Award, Dr. Pavlakis will now join the Review and Selection Committee for SMU’s Teaching Awards; will serve as an Advisory Member to the CTE and participate in two Board meetings per year to discuss initiatives, programs, and how the CTE can improve teaching and learning across the university.
She will also present at least once during your two-year tenure as an Advisory Member at CTE events, such as the Teaching Effectiveness Symposium, the Spring Kickoff, the Spring Pedagogical Institute, and/or other CTE events.
Award recipients receive a one-time $10,000 grant and become members of SMU’s Academy of Distinguished Teachers. Pavlakis received the award from President Gerald Turner at the Spring 2025 General Faculty Meeting on January 22 and was honored by Simmons EPL with a reception attended by Dean Stephanie Knight prior to the ceremony
.