Commemorating Exceptional Adjunct Faculty: The Perla and Jeff Myers Adjunct Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence

Reflect on a time when a teacher positively impacted your life. Consider the attributes that defined their teaching excellence, such as "commitment," "compassion," or "effective communication." Indeed, teaching excellence merits acknowledgment and commemoration.

Dr. Perla Myers, professor of mathematics and executive director of the Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education, strongly believes that adjunct faculty who enrich students’ academic experience at USD should be recognized and honored. In 2016, Drs. Perla and Jeff Myers established the “College of Arts and Sciences Adjunct Faculty Award for Exceptional Teaching Fund” to do just that—celebrate adjunct faculty who have demonstrated teaching excellence. 

Drawing from her own experience at the University of San Diego, Dr. Perla Myers finds profound meaning in this award, having started as an adjunct faculty member 25 years ago.

“We created the Award for Teaching Excellence because we deeply value the amazing contributions adjunct faculty make to the university community,” says Dr. Perla Myers. “We appreciate and celebrate their dedication, creativity and hard work and recognize the vital role they play in educating students and enriching their academic experience at USD.”

This award not only honors adjunct faculty for their outstanding contributions but also fosters professional growth and networking opportunities. “Our intent is to help continue to attract and retain high-quality educators like our amazing adjunct faculty at USD,” says Dr. Perla Myers. 

In 2024, the name of this award changed from the “College of Arts and Sciences Adjunct Faculty Award for Exceptional Teaching” to the “Perla and Jeff Myers Adjunct Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence.” It is awarded annually to one or two faculty members who have taught at least 45 units in the College of Arts and Sciences. Since 2020, this award has turned into a growth endowment fund, ensuring its lasting impact on future generations of adjunct faculty. 

“This award is meaningful to us because we believe in the importance of recognizing and honoring excellence in teaching,” says Dr. Perla Myers. “By supporting this award, we hope to highlight the valuable contributions that adjunct faculty make to the university and to the growth of students and colleagues. It allows us to honor outstanding educators who are making a real difference in the lives of students.” 

Past Award Recipients

• 2023: Michael Anderson (Physics and Biophysics)
• 2022: Peter Bennett (Theology and Religious Studies)
• 2021: Mary Brinson (Communication Studies)
• 2021: Marcy Darby (Biology)
• 2020: Kate DeConinck (Theology and Religious Studies)
• 2020: Rebekah Wanic (Psychological Sciences)
• 2019: Laura Rivard (Biology)
• 2019: Jonathan Wadley (Political Science)
• 2018: Joel Gruber (Theology and Religious Studies)
• 2018: Jeanie Moore (English)
• 2017: John Fendrick (Languages, Cultures and Literatures)
• 2017: David Miller (History)
• 2016: Elizabeth Baker-Treloar (Environmental and Ocean Sciences)
• 2016: Rebekah Wanic (Psychological Sciences)
• 2016: Tyler Hower (Philosophy)