Each year, the University of Wisconsin–Madison recognizes outstanding academic staff members who have excelled in leadership, public service, research and teaching.
“As the largest employee group on campus, our academic staff members are critical to all that we do,” says Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin. “They are gifted teachers, world-class researchers, impactful mentors, and innovative administrators. We rely on them to bring the Wisconsin Idea to life — in the classroom and throughout the state and the world.”
This year, the newly established Mary Lucy Clark Distinguished Teaching Award was awarded to Dr. Jeff Henriques. After completing his PhD in 1998, Jeff Henriques began teaching in the Psychology Department and has been a mainstay ever since. In addition to courses in his specialty area of clinical psychology, he regularly teaches two foundational classes: Introduction to Psychology (75 times) and Basic Statistics for Psychology (43 times). More than 25,000 students have passed through his classes.
In his teaching, Henriques seeks continuous improvement and innovation, tracking learning and engagement to ensure that any changes made are data-driven and focused on student outcomes.
His impact on students is profound. He’s often the first to encourage them to join a research lab, apply for an internship or consider graduate school. Students praise his accessibility and his ability to make difficult content relevant and fun.
As a trusted advisor and engaged mentor, Henriques has changed many career trajectories. As a valued colleague, he has been an integral part of the UW–Madison Teaching Academy, sharing his expertise in a variety of leadership roles over the years.
“I could not imagine anyone else who could provide a more effective introduction to the world of academic research and statistical analysis than Dr. Henriques.”
– Senior Zoe Regenstein, psychology and legal studies major