Audrey Cress receives 2026 Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching

Audrey Cress is the 2026 recipient of the Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Students and colleagues celebrated Cress for the extensive effort she puts into her work and the social work values that she embodies in doing so.  

Her students describe her as an "extremely supportive" teacher who "shows up for all of her students and takes intentional care in upholding the dignity of those on the margins." They praise her for caring about her students as people and as future social workers. 

One student expressed that, when they were hospitalized, Cress not only provided extensive support in accommodating their classwork, but also paid them a visit in the hospital. Another praised her for prompting them to challenge their implicit biases and approach their work with compassion and humility.

Cress's faculty and staff colleagues view her efforts similarly, praising her for going above and beyond the expectations of an adjunct faculty member. Before the fall 2025 semester, Cress attended mentorship meetings with new instructors to share experiences and resources for teaching their class. She encouraged her students to turn a Solidarity Action Project created in her class into an event for Community Care Days in Spring 2026. She has taken extra efforts to connect students with their support staff to ensure they engage critically and thoroughly with their course materials.

“She is a thoughtful social worker, dynamic presenter, and social worker leading with integrity in multiple spaces," one colleague wrote. "I am thankful that she brings her talents to our School, and I would love to see her recognized.” 

About the Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching

The Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is presented to an adjunct instructor who demonstrates contributions above and beyond typical adjunct duties; commitment to continuous improvement in instruction methods; openness to working with School of Social Welfare faculty and staff in constructing and delivering course content; and improvement of teaching strategies in response to student feedback. 

The award nominations process is open to all current School of Social Welfare students, faculty and staff.