Cohen and Morel honored for Excellence in Teaching

By Julian Layne '25

More than 300 student nominations, dozens of faculty applications, and an extensive review process ultimately led to two educators receiving one of Central Connecticut State University’s highest academic honors: the 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award.

Professor Diana Tracy Cohen received the award for full-time faculty, while Evan Morel earned recognition as the university’s part-time faculty recipient.

Presented annually, the Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes educators who demonstrate outstanding commitment to student development, originality in teaching methods, mastery of their discipline, and the ability to inspire students intellectually and personally. This year, students submitted 333 nominations, with 153 faculty members ultimately submitting applications for consideration.

For Cohen and Morel, the recognition carried a deep sense of humility, gratitude, and responsibility toward the students who nominated them.

“My initial reaction was a combination of shock and disbelief,” Cohen said. “So many incredible faculty members were nominated for the Excellence in Teaching Award. I am constantly learning about the exceptional things that are happening in classrooms across our campus.”

As the news began to settle in, Cohen said the recognition became increasingly meaningful.

“I feel deeply humbled to be recognized among Central’s faculty,” she said. “This is an immensely meaningful honor.”

Morel shared a similar reaction, admitting that he was stunned when his name was announced during the ceremony.

“My first reaction was shock,” Morel said. “I had done some research on the other part-time finalist and thought for sure that I was going to be the runner up, going up against such a decorated educator.”

Both educators emphasized that the student-driven nature of the award made the honor especially meaningful.

“The recognition means the world, not only from the peer and colleague point of view, but to know that this award started with my students,” Morel said. “Some of them thought highly enough of me to nominate me and support the process, which is truly humbling and heartwarming.”

Cohen said the award also reflects the broader mission of helping students discover and strengthen their sense of identity, purpose, and confidence.

“I would describe myself as an enabler,” Cohen said of her teaching philosophy. “I seek to understand what each student is passionate about and what their goals are. I then help them channel their goals and talents into action.”

That philosophy extends beyond lectures and coursework. Cohen said some of the most meaningful learning experiences occur when students engage directly with organizations and communities outside the classroom.

“Students deepen their learning when they see and understand the lived experiences of the individuals our partners serve,” she said.

In her classes, Cohen says she wants students to acquire something in addition to academic knowledge.

“I hope that each student feels more empowered to connect with, and express, their authentic self,” she said. “Our students live very busy lives, and my classes provide space for them to pause and reflect on their beliefs and sense of self.”

She added that her goal is for students to leave with “greater confidence in their ability to live authentically.”

Morel approaches teaching from a perspective shaped heavily by his professional experience outside the classroom. In addition to teaching engineering courses at Central, he works full time in a global leadership role within the private sector, where training employees, leading seminars, and mentoring teams are all central to his work.

“When I came to work part-time at Central a handful of years ago, I arrived with the mentality already ingrained that these students were just people like me trying to learn something new,” Morel said.

That mindset, he explained, influences the way he connects with students and approaches instruction.

“It is my job to help them understand this new thing and encourage them to be enthusiastic enough about it to care about learning this new thing,” he said.

Morel believes effective teaching requires adaptability and patience, especially when students learn at different speeds and through different methods.

“Some of them take to it quickly, and others take some time for it to click,” he said. “As the leader at the front of the room, it is my job to help find the method of teaching that makes it click for all of them.”

Rather than allowing students to struggle in silence, Morel sees teaching as a collaborative process built on investment, communication, and support.

“These students are giving their time and energy to me in trade for knowledge,” he said. “What kind of educator would I be if I held back on that knowledge for the sake of a little more convenience?”

View the full list of semi-finalists and Honor Roll recipients online and watch a video about the finalists on MediaSpace.

EIT Committee Co-chair Dr. Jeremy Visone noted, "Through their dedication, creativity, and commitment to students, these faculty members have made a lasting impact in and beyond the classroom. We are honored to recognize them once again."

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