Stephanie Springer, Director of Internships and Career Readiness and a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Public and Applied Humanities, has received the Gerald J. Swanson Prize for Teaching Excellence.
The Swanson prize recognizes excellence in undergraduate teaching at the University of Arizona. Created through a gift from the Thomas R. Brown Foundation in honor of Gerald J. Swanson, whose introductory economics course was legendary throughout his 40+ years at the U of A. Springer is one of four 2026 recipients, each awarded $5,000.
“Stephanie teaches, mentors, builds, and inspires with exceptional vision and dedication. Her impact on undergraduate learning is evident in student and alumni stories, measurable program success, and the broader influence of the humanities internship model she created,” wrote Alain-Philippe Durand, Dorrance Dean of the College of Humanities, in a nomination letter. “Stephanie’s teaching exemplifies the highest standards of instructional excellence, reflecting innovation rooted in care, scholarship applied in practice, and leadership that elevates both students and peers.”
Springer has played a pivotal role in the nation’s first and pioneering bachelor’s degree in Applied Humanities, designing and scaling an internship model that integrates humanistic inquiry with professional skill-building, embedding career readiness into the curriculum before students begin their internships. Over the past decade, she has taught and mentored more than 1,900 UA undergraduates who have collectively completed over 430,000 internship hours.
“Stephanie blends intellectual rigor, institutional insight, and a profound student-centered ethic in everything she does. Her teaching inspires student enthusiasm, and her leadership strengthens faculty and programs,” wrote Judd Ruggill, Graduate College Associate Dean of Academic Services and Professor of Public and Applied Humanities. “Her instruction inspires students to approach internships with purpose and carry insights from her courses into their future endeavors, while also motivating colleagues to elevate their own teaching practices.”
As Chair of the University Internship Council since 2019, Springer has expanded its membership from 60 to over 160 participants, transforming it into a vibrant cross-campus community of practice, allowing faculty and staff to share teaching strategies, exchange resources and empower others to teach more effectively. In March, she received the U of A’s 2026 Community Impact Faculty Award in recognition for that work.
Matt Mars, Professor and Head of the Department of Public and Applied Humanities, wrote that he first joined the U of A in 2000 as a pre-business academic advisor and got to know and admire Swanson for his ability to inspire and reach students. And much like Swanson’s “must-take” classes, Springer’s courses have earned a reputation for being relevant to where students are in their lives and fill quickly. One student recently described Springer as “the GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time).
“Stephanie Springer shares the same passion for her work that Dr. Swanson was known for – centering student learning and growth above all else, treating teaching and mentoring as part science, part art, and fully a pursuit of excellence and impact. She exemplifies undergraduate teaching at its finest, designing courses that students actively seek out and remember long after graduation,” Mars wrote. “In the PAH Department, Stephanie’s teaching fosters curiosity, creativity, and cross-disciplinary connections that empower students to approach academic and professional challenges with confidence and purpose.”