TYLER, Texas — Two professors have been recently recognized for being the best educators within the UT System.
Dr. Joshua Banta and Dr. Kenneth Bryant Jr. at The University of Texas at Tyler have both earned a 2023 UT System Regents Outstanding Teaching Award.
In addition they will receive $25,000 for their exceptional classroom performance, innovation and commitment to their student success through teaching.
“UT faculty members guide our students’ success and prepare Texas’ future leaders, job creators and innovators,” said UT Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife.
Both of the professors will be recognized with 12 other educators later this fall in Austin.
Banta joined UT Tyler in 2011 as an associate professor of biology. For over 15 years, Banta has been a core leader in developing UT Tyler student researchers as a faculty advisor in the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Summer Research Academy.
Sponsored by the UT System, the program is supported by the National Science Foundation and provides research experiences for undergraduate students from underrepresented populations, encouraging them to tackle STEM studies on a graduate-level.
Banta also heads the University’s Center for Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation all while working with state and federal partners on researching mussels.
His research and teaching interests focus primarily on evolutionary genetics, plant biology, landscape ecology and geographic information systems. He possesses a doctorate in ecology and evolution from Stony Brook University.
Bryant joined UT Tyler in 2017 as an associate professor of political science. He has primarily researched re-examining conventional thought about historically marginalized communities. Additionally, Bryant explores new questions on people's behaviors, attitudes and development.
Some of Bryant's publications include a book he co-authored about factors that reshape voter preferences and the changing political landscape seen across Texas.
"Battle for the Heart of Texas: Political Change in the Electorate" dives into the current politics surrounding polling surveys in conjunction with The Dallas Morning News.
Bryant has earned a master's and doctoral degree in political science from the University of Missouri.