Each year, the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Master Teacher Award recognizes faculty members for their significant dedication to teaching. In a recent ceremony, this year’s award was given to Savannah Robin, Department of Agricultural Economics lecturer, and Julian Dupuis, Department of Entomology assistant professor. 

The Master Teacher Award nominees are selected by a committee based on how they implement effective classroom techniques, advance student learning outcomes, contribute to student development, service instructional programming and overall commitment to enhancing teaching methodologies. 

“This award was a true honor and something I will cherish,” Robin said. “Within my classroom, I try to foster community, be human and create a place where my students feel as though they belong, can connect and learn to become learners. I think it all comes back to creating a space and community where students know that when you push them it’s because you care and then in turn they rise to those challenges and pay it forward in their future.” 

Dupuis was also honored by his peers and reflects on his approach with students. 

“Connecting with students with excitement on whatever the topic is just so much fun for me, and I feel lucky to be able to do this,” Dupuis said. “I think helping students connect to course content by showing them how I connect in my own research and just personally through my excitement is my go-to approach to resonate with my students.” 

Carmen Agouridis, senior associate dean of student success, presented the Master Teacher Award to Robin and Dupuis at the college’s faculty meeting ceremony. 

“We are a college known for its dedicated instructors and commitment to the success of our students,” Agouridis said. “The many nominations we received this year are reflective of our commitment to putting students first and educating the next generation.”

Biographies 

Robin is a lecturer of career and professional development in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Martin-Gatton CAFE. She is a long-time member of the UK Ag Equine Programs, in which she teaches several courses for Equine Science and Management. Robin also serves as the coordinator for the AFE 100 course, through which she impacts each student in the college. Robin is well recognized throughout the university and state for her leadership, innovation and commitment to agriculture.  

One of Robin’s nominators wrote, in part, that “her teaching contributions, initiatives and programmatic efforts are so extensive that they cannot be described in a narrative format while staying within the prescribed two-page nomination statement.” 

Another nominator wrote, “Savannah has high expectations of her students and encourages them to rise to challenges and always be their best. She is committed to an approach that teaches students how to learn through learner-centered instruction. She does not simply convey facts and figures to be memorized for an exam, but truly empowers students with the ability to learn both with regard to course objectives and the rest of their lives.” 

Robin is also a four-time graduate of UK with dual bachelor’s degrees in ag education and ag communications, a master’s degree in career, technical and leadership education at Martin-Gatton CAFE and a doctorate from the College of Education. 

Dupuis is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology and serves as the curator of the UK Insect Collection. His research lab broadly includes insect systematics, speciation, evolution, genomics, phylogenomics, and population genomics. Dupuis is also a faculty member in the Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology (AMBT) program. 

Dupuis was recognized by his colleagues for his innovation in the classroom, dedication to students, “infectious enthusiasm” and excellence in mentoring.  

One of Dupuis’ nominators wrote that he “has become the most dedicated teacher-scholar of any of the colleagues I have worked with.”

Another nominator wrote, “His instructional renown was recently captured by his invitation to participate in the UK Gaines Center for the Humanities Seminar class, which is one of the most sought-after instructional opportunities at the university. I hold him in high regard and trust his judgment and voice in the classroom.”

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