Jennifer A. Brown earns UGA’s highest honor for teaching excellence
Jennifer A. Brown earns UGA’s highest honor for teaching excellence
Originally posted by UGA Today, written by Mike Wooten
Three University of Georgia faculty members have received the institution’s highest recognition for sustained excellence in instruction, the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship.
The 2025-2026 Meigs Professors are Jennifer A. Brown, professor and director of graduate studies in the department of communication sciences and special education in the Mary Frances Early College of Education; Moon Jung Jang, associate professor in the Lamar Dodd School of Art in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences; and Teena Wilhelm, associate professor in the department of political science in the School of Public and International Affairs.
“Our newest Meigs Professors are transforming the student experience through innovative instruction, real-world experiential learning opportunities and dedicated mentorship,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, the university’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Their deep commitment to excellence positions our students for success, not only in the classroom but also throughout their lives.”
The Meigs Professorship highlights the university’s commitment to academic excellence, the importance of student learning experiences and the central role of instruction in UGA’s mission.
Jennifer A. Brown
A member of the UGA faculty since 2013, Brown encourages students to reflect on how and why they learn and to consider the broader impact their work will have on others.
Brown has taught more than 200 courses, including required undergraduate and master’s courses in communication sciences and disorders, First-Year Odyssey seminars and GradFIRST seminars. She is widely recognized for her use of clear instructional models aligned with course objectives and her use of learning lab activities and simulation-based learning, which allow students to practice clinical case studies before beginning in-person placements.
“Dr. Brown’s record reflects a deep, sustained and multifaceted commitment to student engagement,” said Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, senior associate dean for academic programs in the College of Education. “She not only excels in classroom instruction but also fosters student growth through research, clinical training and mentorship.”
Beyond her classroom, Brown has facilitated more than 150 experiential learning opportunities through mentored research in her Child Communication Lab and community-engaged service-learning initiatives in local schools. She is currently leading the development of a new online educational specialist program in speech-language pathology to help meet workforce needs across Georgia.
Brown’s previous honors include the 2022 Richard B. Russell Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the 2025 Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate Education.
Recognizing excellence in teaching at UGA
Sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship includes a permanent salary increase of $6,000 and a one-time discretionary fund of $1,000. Recipients are nominated by their school or college and chosen by a committee consisting of 12 faculty members, two undergraduate students and one graduate student.