The University of Arizona Koffler Prize, established through the generosity of Henry and Phyllis Koffler in 2000, recognizes outstanding accomplishments in teaching. Dr. Lisa Elfring, Vice Provost for Instruction and Assessment in the University Center for Assessment, Teaching, and Technology (UCATT), Specialist in Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Associate Professor at the BIO5 Institute, has been selected for this year’s award, recognizing her efforts to improve teaching across the University. Her collaborative approach and humanistic teaching style have earned the respect and admiration of her peers, and many faculty members have benefited from her guidance to become more effective and student-centered in their teaching. She continues to learn by teaching with and learning from colleagues in the University’s thriving teaching and learning ecosystem.
Dr. Elfring co-leads the University Center for Assessment, Teaching, and Technology, a central support unit that promotes evidence-based and equitable approaches to teaching across disciplines, modalities, and locations, and oversees the University Assessment Council.
As a genetics and molecular and cell biology instructor, Dr. Elfring thrives on her interactions with the students. She is passionate about using evidence to inform the way we teach and the way our institution recognizes and evaluates teaching. Recently, she has spearheaded changes in the end-of-course surveys completed by students, collaborated in developing structures for effective use of instructional teams in STEM courses, and participating in the development and teaching of the University’s new General Education program.
It’s no surprise to us in the MCB department that Dr. Elfring was selected for this award; we’ve long known of her passion for students, faculty and the learning process and are delighted that she was selected for this year’s award!