Current update as of Aug. 31, 2026

The Academy of Master Teachers (AMT) has officially ended on August 31, 2026.

Advancing excellence across UTMB's core missions remains a central institutional priority. Since 2007, the Academy of Master Teachers has been central to that work — an honorific and service-oriented program recognizing outstanding contributions to the educational mission, sustained by the faculty who have given it their time, leadership, and expertise.

Building on the legacy of the AMT while preserving its important traditions of recognition and service, the Office of Faculty Development is launching the UTMB Academy of Excellence, uniting under a single umbrella the AMT and the former Academy of Research Mentors. This offers a standardized structure; aligned programmatic offerings, expectations, and membership; and centralized and enhanced resources and governance so that faculty across the education and research missions are supported through one coherent, well-resourced framework.

AMT members retain their Distinguished Teaching Professor title, and membership into the Academy of Excellence will be granted given your expressed interest and commitment to continued service.

Note: All offerings currently provided will continue as the Academy of Excellence is developed, and in the coming months, we will be forming a committee to develop a strategic plan.

The UTMB Academy of Excellence: Building on a Tradition of Recognition and Service

September 2, 2026

Advancing excellence across UTMB's core missions is a central institutional priority. For nearly two decades, UTMB's academies served as a primary means of honoring faculty who exemplify that excellence. The Academy of Master Teachers, established in 2007, was created as an honorific and service-oriented program to recognize outstanding contributions to the educational mission. The Academy of Research Mentors extended that recognition to the mentorship of the next generation of scientists.

Building on the legacies of both academies while preserving their traditions of recognition and service, the Office of Faculty Development is excited to announce the launch of the UTMB Academy of Excellence. The new Academy brings these efforts under a single umbrella — standardizing structure, aligning programmatic offerings, expectations, and membership, and centralizing and enhancing resources and governance so that faculty across the education and research missions are supported through one coherent, well-resourced framework.

The Academy is an evolved, comprehensive framework designed to optimize, cultivate, and celebrate faculty engagement and growth, innovation, and professional advancement along the entire career continuum for educators and researchers. Maintaining the "Academy" designation reflects our commitment, your contributions, and our shared values:

A collaborative, mission-driven community dedicated to advancing academic excellence in education and research.
An enduring commitment to community, collaboration, recognition, advancement, and service.

Membership will be structured in progressive levels, with advancement based on demonstrated contribution, impact, and engagement. Faculty from all schools will be supported across the continuum — from those establishing their academic careers to those whose influence has shaped the institution. With four domains — Discovery, Teaching & Learning, Mentorship & Sponsorship, and Leadership & Service — the Academy aligns with the pathways used in appointment, promotion, and tenure review.

Over the coming months, we will develop membership structures, participation expectations, recognition pathways, and opportunities for faculty within the Academy of Excellence. All offerings currently provided will continue as the Academy of Excellence is developed.