2025-2026 Awardees
Prof. Jayesh John
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Respiratory Care
Recipient
Jayesh John is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Respiratory Care at Texas State University. Since Fall 2019, he has taught junior and senior-level courses, laboratory sessions, and clinical rotations within the entry-level Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care program. Since Spring 2021, he has also served as Program Director for the Registered Respiratory Therapist to Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care Online Completion Program.
Prior to joining Texas State University, Mr. John served as a Respiratory Care Practitioner and Clinical Team Leader at Parkland Health and Hospital System in Dallas, Texas. His clinical practice included adult wards, intensive care units, and the emergency department, where he provided advanced respiratory care and critical support to diverse patient populations. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, he contributed to staff education and professional development in areas such as mechanical ventilation, airway management, patient safety, and tobacco cessation.
Education:
- Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Care – El Centro College
- Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care – Midwestern State University
- Master of Science in Respiratory Care – Texas State University
In Fall 2024, he partnered with Texas State’s Instructional Design team to redesign RC 3332: Hemodynamics, the course for which he is receiving this award, for delivery within the Accelerated Online Program. The redesigned course integrates evidence-based instructional methods and Quality Matters standards while incorporating topic-focused lesson videos, supplemental educational materials, and interactive discussions that engage a variety of learning styles. These innovations have significantly enhanced student learning, bridging theoretical knowledge with clinical application in the field of hemodynamic monitoring and management.
Dr. Kim Lee
Associate Professor of Practice, School of Health Administration
Runner-Up
Dr. Kim Lee serves as an Associate Professor of Practice and the Online Programs Director in the School of Health Administration at Texas State University, bringing an extensive academic background that includes a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership, a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration/Health Professions, and bachelor’s degrees in Physical Therapy and Biology. Her academic expertise is complemented by 34 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry, where she cultivated high-performing, mission-driven cultures and oversaw major leadership development initiatives. This executive foundation informs her approach to building innovative, student centered online learning environments that intentionally bridge theory with practical application.
Nationally recognized for her contributions to online program development, Dr. Lee led the design and implementation of multiple TXST Accelerated Online Program courses, all of which received exceptional Quality Matters scores ranging from 91% to 97%. She also played a pivotal role in launching the Executive MHA program in Fall 2024, contributing to its rapid growth while consistently earning outstanding student evaluations.
Students commend her courses for their intentional design, clarity, and real-world relevance. They highlight the way her curriculum integrates current topics such as workforce development, recruitment, retention, and leadership in evolving healthcare settings, supported by readings, case studies, and multimedia resources that promote reflection and collaboration. Her weekly introduction videos further strengthen connection and reinforce key learning objectives.
Dr. Lee is honored and humbled to be named Runner Up for the 2025–2026 Texas State Award for Excellence in Online Teaching for HA 5355.AOP: Emerging Trends in Healthcare Human Resources, a recognition that underscores her commitment to high-impact, innovative online pedagogy.
Dr. Daniel Carter
Associate Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Runner-Up
Dr. Daniel Carter is an associate professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and Associate Dean for Data, Enrollment and Infrastructure in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. He is the program co-coordinator and advisor for the university's Accelerated Online Master’s Program in Strategic Communication.
Dr. Carter's Runner-Up award is for MC 3390: Media Design, which he redesigned in spring 2025 for asynchronous instruction. Major changes to the course include refocusing content on core design principles, transitioning to online design software that facilitates collaboration and feedback, and revising quizzes to discourage the use of AI.
Dr. Carter also teaches online courses in data analysis and visualization, research methods, and other topics. His research asks how technical systems such as social media platforms and web content management systems influence communication and knowledge production.
Virtual Showcase
Please join us for a Virtual Award Showcase featuring the 2025-2026 awardess via Zoom on Friday, February 27, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., in which we congratulate the winners of Texas State University’s thirteenth annual Award for Excellence in Online Teaching and learn what makes their online courses successful.
Registration is free but required.
Visit the 2024-2025 award page for more information about last year's award recipients.
APPLICATIONS FOR THIS AWARD ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED.
The deadline for nominations for this award was October 31, 2025.
Introduction to Award
Note: Only “INT” or fully distance education courses are eligible for the Award for Excellence in Online Teaching.
Extended Learning is pleased to support the annual Award for Excellence in Online Teaching.
The award recipient will receive $2500, and up to two runners-up, each will receive $1250 at a recognition reception. All recipients will be asked to present their work to the campus community.
The awardees may be asked to assume a leadership role in promoting online instruction at Texas State and serve on the award selection committee.
Purpose of Award
The award recognizes and rewards superior online teaching, provides models of excellence for fellow faculty, and encourages all faculty to continue to improve and advance their online teaching pedagogy.
Nominations
To nominate yourself for the award, follow the submission directions below. You will need to complete a nomination form and submit documentation for one online course you taught in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025. It is recommended that you review the nomination form and documentation requirements well in advance of submission.
Apply by following the directions below.
Note: You will be required to provide access to a course site that allows judges to assess the quality and frequency of your interaction with students.
Submission Directions
- Download and add comments to the Quality of Course Design Rubric. Your comments should summarize how your course addresses each point in the rubric. The rubric, along with your comments, the other nomination materials, and your course site, will be used to judge your submission.
- Prepare a Student Feedback on Course Effectiveness Report. Refer to these guidelines for preparing this document.
- Complete the Nomination Form online, and attach the supporting documentation described above.
- Note: Nomination Forms that do not include the required documentation (Quality of Course Design Rubric and Student Feedback on Course Effectiveness Report) will not be considered. If you have any questions regarding the preparation of the documentation, please contact Extended Learning.
- In your Course site in Canvas, please be prepared to provide permission for Award Selection Committee to review and examine all aspects of your course.
Timeline
- Accept nomination form and documentation: March 31, 2025 - October 31, 2025.
- Judge entries: November - December 2025
- Announce award recipients: January 2026
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to receive an award, courses must
- be developed and taught by faculty who teach a minimum of half-time or have a continuing appointment;
- be 85% or more online; and
- have been taught online in Fall 2024, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025.
In addition, a faculty member may only nominate one course for consideration.
Award Criteria
The award is based exclusively on work conducted while serving a teaching appointment at Texas State University. The criteria for the award include
- quality of the online course design,
- instructional and technology innovation, and
- student feedback on course effectiveness.
Award Selection Committee
The Distance and Extended Learning Steering Committee appoints a selection committee. The committee is comprised of the following:
- Committee chair
- Two to three faculty with demonstrated online teaching experience (may be filled using previous award recipients, and the faculty representatives must represent different departments)
- One representative from Extended Learning.
Eligibility of Previous Recipients
A previous recipient (whether winner or runner-up) of the Award for Excellence in Online Teaching
- may receive the award more than once, but not more than once every three years; and
- cannot receive the award for the same course more than once (e.g., if a faculty member was recipient of the award for work done on TXST 101, he/she may not win the award subsequently for TXST 101 but may nominate a different course).