The University of Kentucky’s 2022-23 Outstanding Teaching Awards included Ph.D. candidate and teaching assistant Weiss Mehrabi.
A UK Provost’s Office for Faculty Advancement and Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching screening committee nominated and vetted recipients.
“I’m incredibly surprised, humbled and immensely grateful for this prestigious recognition,” Weiss remarked. “I always wanted to teach and study. Because I think education can change lives, teaching is my professional identity.
These awards honor teachers who excel at student accomplishment.
My life proves this. In my war-torn Afghan hamlet, schools were rare. I become a successful educator and scholar by overcoming war’s physical and mental wounds. I also saw how the lack of knowledge contributed to the social, political, and economic collapse of my own nation.”
These experiences have strengthened my determination, resilience, and unwavering belief in providing quality education and learning opportunities for all, regardless of ethnic, racial, sexual, gender, class, religious, or other social identities, as well as place of origin. I want to make school safe, inclusive, and fair.”
Mehrabi, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in international relations and policy, is the major instructor of political science courses in international relations, comparative politics, American government, Model United Nations, and research techniques.
He studies international security, particularly military alliances. His dissertation, “Coalition of the Ending: Why States Withdraw from Military Coalitions,” examined why governments prematurely terminate military coalition operations.
Post-conflict state and nation-building, state formation and separatist movements, politics of international recognition, and international migration and cross-border linkages on political behavior and attitudes are further study areas.
“Working with UK students has been tremendously satisfying, providing me with vital information and skills and most importantly, I gained a lot from my pupils.
It’s one thing to feel contentment and purpose in your profession, but it’s another to know that your coworkers, bosses, and, most importantly, students appreciate your efforts. I’m honored that this institution, which has given me so much, values my work. “It’s everything,” Weiss added.
Four academics, three lecturers, and three graduate teaching assistants received Outstanding Teaching Awards this year.
Each winner got a certificate, engraved gift, and cash prize for their teaching excellence.
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