Arvelo honored for authentic, inclusive instruction

On April 16, 2024, Dean Ian Robertson held an event to recognize engineering faculty and staff for outstanding contributions. Eduardo Arvelo, an assistant teaching professor in electrical and computer engineering, received the James G. Woodburn Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.

As an undergraduate, Arvelo took a physics course from a professor whose deep commitment to student learning sparked a standing ovation the last day of class. Now, in the introduction to his teaching philosophy, he writes: “In my quest to become an effective, and hopefully one day transformative, teacher. … I strive every day to generate in my students the same sense of awe.” Though the material in his courses is challenging, Arvelo’s goal is to facilitate learning for all students. His approach centers around inclusivity and authenticity; not only does he share stories about his own background and vulnerabilities, but he also normalizes and reinforces the idea that students should be free to be who they are. Understanding that student comfort in flipped courses varies widely across individuals, Arvelo strives to develop a rapport with every student and to tailor his teaching strategies accordingly. High student evaluations of his teaching often include comments such as “best professor,” “got to know my name,” “makes me want to learn,” “took extra time to make sure we understood,” and “wanted the entire class to succeed.”

In addition to his role within ECE, Arvelo has been involved in cross-disciplinary curriculum development, and is recognized as a leader in teaching and learning efforts at the college and campus level.