2025 Tufts Faculty Award Recipients Announced
At Tufts Gordon Institute (TGI) and the Derby Entrepreneurship Center (DEC), we value building teams of faculty who have dealt with the complex business challenges of the working world and can bring a human-centered approach to education. By engaging students with questions and exercises that reflect the ambiguity of real-world problems, our faculty build new skills and confidence in students that they can apply to any career pursuit. In our collective mission to serve as the hub of applied business in action at Tufts, our faculty reach across programs and life stages, teaching or mentoring undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni.
Our faculty’s most important contribution to student success, however, is their commitment to practical lessons and mentorship. This year, several TGI and DEC faculty and community members were recognized for embodying that commitment with teaching and service awards. Congratulations to Jack Derby, Sam Liggero, Jane Seminara, and Allison Perkel for their recognitions!
Learn more about this year’s awards:
Jack Derby – Faculty Teaching and Mentorship Award
Jack Derby, Founder of the Derby Entrepreneurship Center and Professor of the Practice, was recognized by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering with the Faculty Teaching and Mentorship Award for his continued commitment to graduate student success both during and after their time at Tufts. Jack supports and mentors students throughout their lifelong learning journeys, helping to foster an ever-growing student and alumni network of entrepreneurial thinkers.
MS in Innovation & Management student Julia Giatrelis, EG25, A24, shares, “Jack has been an invaluable part of my Tufts journey, both undergraduate and graduate, and I am deeply grateful for his guidance over the past five years. His immense knowledge as a professor and unwavering support as a mentor are qualities I will always carry with me. I truly would not be who I am today without him.”
Sam Liggero – Excellence in Online Teaching Award
Sam Liggero, Director of the MS in Engineering Management and MS in Technology Management & Leadership and Professor of the Practice, was recognized with the Excellence in Online Teaching Award. Each year, students nominate instructors whose use of technology in the classroom had a markedly positive impact on their learning for this award. For the last 15 years, Sam has developed and taught online courses that place an emphasis on student interaction and using synchronous class sessions to facilitate collaboration.
Alexandra Richer, EG25 and an online MS in Technology Management & Leadership student, shares, “The experience I had in this online program fundamentally changed the way I see the world and the way I see myself. Sam and the rest of the faculty at TGI foster such a positive learning environment. It's a safe place to fail, which empowers students to take risks and be open. When we all come together for that weekly synchronous hour, it's magic. Through a combination of breakout rooms, class discussions, team projects, and immersive experiences, I've had the pleasure of becoming close friends with many of my classmates. And these friendships formed while I was living in a different state than the rest of my cohort!”
Jane Seminara – Excellence in Online Teaching Award (Honorable Mention)
Jane Seminara, Senior Lecturer, was recognized with an Honorable Mention for the Excellence in Online Teaching Award. Jane teaches courses on the Ethics of Leadership both online and in-person, and creates a forum for thought-provoking and honest discussion regardless of course modality.
A student in Jane’s online course shares with us, “This course fundamentally changed the way I think about human problems. Jane has been one of my favorite instructors in this program. She shows so much kindness, respect, and appreciation to every student. She fosters a safe environment where people feel comfortable to express their opinions, even during conversations about difficult or uncomfortable subject matter. She is truly a remarkable person and professor.”
Allison Perkel – Tufts School of Engineering Outstanding Service Award
Allison Perkel, E93, EG02, and Tufts Gordon Institute Industry Advisory Council member, received the Tufts School of Engineering Outstanding Service Award. This award recognizes a School of Engineering graduate who has made exceptional contributions to Tufts since graduating. Allison’s insights as an Industry Advisory Council member, as well as her involvement in promoting student success through networking events, alumni panels, and presentation judging, demonstrate her longstanding support of all the Jumbos who follow in her footsteps.
Allison also delivered the commencement address at last week’s Tufts School of Engineering Graduate Commencement! Her address encouraged graduates to consider three key focuses as they enter the next stage of their lives: making a positive impact in the world, working across disciplines and backgrounds to solve complex problems, and collaborating successfully despite differing ideas. Along with each topic, she also recommended a relevant book—check out her list here!
Congratulations again to this year’s award winners, and thank you to all of our faculty who work every day to teach and inspire the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs at Tufts.