Assistant Professor Ahmed Aziz has received a 2026 Outstanding Teacher Award from the University of Tennessee Alumni Association (UTAA), one of only four given UT’s Knoxville campus.
“It is deeply meaningful and humbling to receive this award,” said Aziz, who teaches and conducts research in the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “I am especially grateful because this recognition reflects not only my efforts, but also the curiosity, hard work, and engagement of my students, who inspire me every day.”
The Outstanding Teacher Award recognizes excellence in the classroom, resourceful and creative instruction, and profound impact on students. It is part of the UTAA’s continuing effort to publicly recognize exceptional teaching, especially the teaching of undergraduate students, as a central part of the university’s land grant mission.
The UTAA accepts nominations for the annual award from deans, department heads, and faculty across the UT system. Committee members representing alumni, faculty, and students select just 10 faculty to recognize each year.
Aziz credits his mother, a retired teacher with a lifelong passion for education, with inspiring him to achieve excellence in teaching.
“I am also deeply grateful to my wife for her constant encouragement, patience, and support,” he said.
Aziz considers teaching one of the most rewarding aspects of his faculty position, especially when he is present for the moment a difficult concept finally ‘clicks’ for a student.
“That transition—from uncertainty to confidence—is incredibly rewarding,” he said. “Sometimes a single course, project, or conversation can change how a student sees themselves as an engineer or researcher, and being part of that journey is a privilege.”
One hallmark of Aziz’s teaching style is connecting abstract technical concepts to real-world systems, research problems, and engineering challenges. His goal is to help students go beyond equations and design parameters so they can understand how digital logic, circuit design, or more advanced topics in computing hardware can shape future technologies.
Aziz further encourages growth in his students by cultivating a welcoming learning environment where students are comfortable asking questions and making mistakes on their way to mastering a subject.
Part of creating a safe environment for exploration is Aziz’s own humility—his ability to stay curious about his own teaching methods and adjust when things aren’t working.
“Great teaching does not happen all at once; it develops through preparation, reflection, student feedback, and a willingness to adapt,” he said. “Students respond not only to what we teach, but also to the energy, patience, and belief we bring into the classroom.”
As part of his award, Aziz will receive a $1,000 prize and be recognized during the UTAA Board of Governors Reception and Dinner on June 5.
Contact
Izzie Gall (egall4@utk.edu)