2024 INFORMS RM&P Practice Prize
April 16, 2024
Incredibly honored to receive the NYU Stern School of Business Distinguished Teaching Award for Teaching Excellence! This award is given annually to one faculty member across Stern to recognize “exceptional pedagogical delivery on an ongoing basis.” Over the years, I have seen a number of talented educators receive this award, and it is humbling to be joining their ranks.
This is indeed a special recognition for me. While most of my recognitions have been for research, one of the greatest joys of academia is teaching. Nothing quite compares to seeing that “aha!” moment in class or hearing from a student who’s out there actually using something they learned. That’s the kind of feedback you don’t forget.
When I think back to when I started teaching almost 13 years ago, it’s fair to say I was a fish out of water. Grad school trains you to do research, not teaching. You’re expected to figure that out on your own.
Coming from an engineering background, business school felt like a completely different world. Teaching operations, in particular, felt like learning a new language. Teaching students who were older and had more practical experience was nerve-wracking.
I spent a lot of time convincing myself (and hopefully the students) that I actually knew what I was talking about.
The first two years of teaching were tough (you make all the mistakes the first time and correct all the first-order ones the second time), but as they say, the third time was the charm!
I am grateful for all the help I’ve had finding my way. I’ve been lucky to have great colleagues who’ve generously shared their ideas and experiences. And, special shoutout to colleagues and students from my stint at the Harvard Business School, the rigors of which really helped me hone my teaching skills.
I have been even more lucky to have incredible students over the years! A big THANK YOU to all of them, for their patience, for teaching me so much, and for motivating me.
This award really belongs to them!
