By Richard Reyes, UNM-Gallup Senior Public Relations Specialist
An English instructor from The University of New Mexico-Gallup earned a Teaching Excellence Award for her dedication to growing as an educator and finding innovative ways to reach students in the classroom.
Tracy Lassiter, an associate professor and coordinator of digital learning at UNM-Gallup, earned the UNM Teaching Excellence Award for Reflection and Continuous Improvement during the 2026 spring semester. She was one of 22 educators who were honored during an awards ceremony in Albuquerque on April 8.
For a Research 1 university to take time to acknowledge the quality of the instruction that’s going on, to recognize what they call the hard work of the heart work that comes from trauma-informed teaching, is really wonderful,” Lassiter said. “Because that’s what we, at the branches, especially are focused on doing. Some days it’s a tough job, and to have someone say, ‘Wow, thank you, thank you for doing all that you do,’ it felt great.”
R1 is a designation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education that is reserved for doctoral universities with very high levels of research activity. UNM is New Mexico’s premier R1 university.
UNM-Gallup Interim Chancellor John Zimmerman said it was his honor, then as dean of instruction, to present Lassiter with her award during the ceremony in Albuquerque.
“UNM-Gallup is proud of Dr. Lassiter’s accomplishment of being awarded the UNM Teaching Excellence Award for Reflection and Continuous Improvement,” Zimmerman said. “This award is a testament to the continuing development of Dr. Lassiter’s pedagogy and the work and dedication involved, officially recognized and celebrated by the University. Congratulations, Tracy!”
“I’M CONSTANTLY LEARNING”
The Teaching Excellence Award for Reflection and Continuous Improvement recognizes educators who demonstrate intentional, ongoing reflection on their teaching and its impact on student learning. Recipients use feedback, assessment, and peer collaboration to continuously refine their pedagogy, integrate innovation, and enhance student outcomes. The award celebrates reflective practice as the foundation of sustained excellence in teaching and learning at UNM.
For Lassiter, that means treating her teaching as an evolving practice, rather than a static one. She said she always takes free courses and webinars through UNM’s Center for Teaching and Learning as well as other sources if the content will help her serve her students.
“Whenever I see or hear of something that I think will help our campus, that will help our students, I take it,” she said. “I’m constantly learning. I don’t feel that we should stop learning as educators. Just because we have our degrees doesn’t mean that’s the end of our training.”
Lassiter also took it upon herself to complete coursework on becoming a trauma-informed educator and learning about emotional CPR training to help a person during a crisis.
She said she reflects on student evaluations too and adjusts her instruction, when possible, but she also relies on gut instinct. She can sense when something’s not working in the classroom and will pivot her approach.
“UNPARALLELED COMMITMENT
Lassiter’s passion for development extends beyond herself too. She has been dedicated to expanding teaching resources for her colleagues at the Gallup branch campus by bringing in a faculty development workshop series and helping to establish a Teaching Resource Center inside Zollinger Library.
“I’m not surprised that Dr. Lassiter received this award,” UNM-Gallup Liberal Arts & Education Division Chair Matt Mingus said. “She’s an excellent instructor who has an unparalleled commitment to student success and the success of her colleagues. I think this award is a reflection of her ability to improve her own teaching and the overall quality of teaching on our campus.”
Lassiter’s experience in reflective practices goes back to her days as a student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a doctorate in English literature and criticism. As a graduate student, she not only participated in a professional development series for instructors, but she became a board member and award review committee member.
“I think it’s just really vital, really critical because we not only have community colleagues talking to each other but sharing those really good teaching ideas to help our students,” she said
Lassiter has been teaching at UNM-Gallup for 10 years.
In addition to her doctorate in English, Lassiter holds a Master of Arts in comparative literature from Indian University and a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.
