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“I want students to leave my courses with more than technical skill,” Tina Patel wrote in a statement reflecting on her teaching. “They should have the confidence to question assumptions, the creativity to imagine alternatives, and the commitment to design spaces that advance equity and human dignity.”

Patel, associate professor of interior design in ����Թ�’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design, has been awarded the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award, the most prestigious honor for instructors at ����Թ� State.  

“I was teaching an 8 a.m. studio and suddenly saw someone walk in with balloons,” Patel told ����Թ� State Today. “That’s how they announced the award. I was totally in shock, but it was an incredible honor and very humbling.”

The Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award is sponsored by the ����Թ� State Alumni Association and the University Teaching Council. This new award, combining the former Distinguished and Outstanding Teaching Awards, honors all full-time and part-time faculty and is presented to four individuals who demonstrate extraordinary teaching in the classroom and a commitment to impacting the lives of students.  

Patel said she first discovered her passion for teaching by working as a graduate assistant. A temporary instructor position in South Dakota led her to realize how rewarding education could be.  

“I had never found anything more rewarding than this in my entire career,” Patel said. “The change in thinking that students go through, the transformation and the critical thinking, that’s what keeps me inspired.”  

Since coming to ����Թ� State seven years ago, Patel’s teaching has evolved to balance the rigor of design education with empathy and care for students’ well-being, especially in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“Design education is demanding,” Patel said. “After COVID, I’ve made space for check-ins and reflective pauses where we can think about what’s going on and communicate openly. It’s about finding that balance between maintaining high expectations and understanding the different challenges students face.”

From this foundation, Patel continues to craft a teaching style that balances high expectations with deep care.

“At its core, my teaching philosophy is rooted in empathy, scholarship, and responsibility. I strive to create a sense of belonging for every student, ensuring that all voices are recognized and valued,” Patel wrote in her teaching statement.

Patel said she measures her success through the growth she sees in her students.  

“It’s those moments of transformation, when students start questioning their assumptions or discover their own voice, that means the most,” Patel said.  

Student and colleague nominators highlighted Patel’s commitment and her passion for education.

“As someone who has had the privilege of teaching alongside Tina, I can attest that she is the best ally any student could hope for,” an anonymous nominator wrote.

Other nominations continued reflecting how deeply Patel's presence shapes those around her.

“Almost three years into my career, I continue to seek her honest guidance, as do many of my peers. She is not just a teacher but a lifelong mentor,” an anonymous nominator wrote. “Tina deserves this award because she transforms everything she touches. She challenges limits, amplifies silenced voices, shifts mindsets and guides students toward their calling.”  

Her impact is felt not only by students but also by fellow faculty members, who describe her as a steady source of inspiration and integrity.

“If you have the pleasure of meeting Tina, you will immediately notice her unique presence—an energy rooted in joy for all things meaningful,” an anonymous colleague wrote. “Her strong sense of commitment and duty are inseparable from her deep beliefs in empathy, social justice, and intellectual growth.

Patel and the other honorees and finalists were honored at the University Teaching Council’s 31st Annual Celebrating College Teaching Conference on Oct. 24, 2025.

As she looks ahead, Patel hopes to continue refining her teaching methods while staying centered on empathy and authenticity.  

“I always tell early educators to take a deep breath and be themselves,” Patel said. “Be authentic, stay curious about your students and remain empathetic to both their learning and their lives.”

Find out more about the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award.

Find out more about ����Թ� State's interior design program.

Glenn W. Frank was a ����Թ� State professor in the Department of Geology from 1953-1984. He was widely known as a strong teacher, a ����Թ� alumnus, and an early winner of the Alumni Association's Distinguished Teaching Award in 1969 as well as a recipient of the ����Թ� President’s Medal in 1986. Frank was widely thought of as a hero, having convinced the students to leave the Commons after the May 4, 1970, shootings.