Congratulations to Drama PhD candidate Rachael Herren on receiving the 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award and the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award! The Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes two graduate teaching assistants who demonstrate outstanding skills in the classroom. Rachael also received the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award at the UW Undergraduate Research Symposium. This award places Rachael as the sole Predoctoral instructor from a group of 10 other faculty members across the University. 

"Studying theatre asks us to thrive in the unknown—to start with the big questions", says Rachael Herren. "The process of brainstorming in the classroom and diving into the deep of hypothetical worlds makes the act of research and scholarship inherently theatrical. Inhabiting these spaces with students has become one of the greatest joys and privileges of my life."

Congratulations to Rachael on her honors! 

You can find out more about the Awards of Excellence here and the Undergraduate Research Mentor Award here.