From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Patrick Foo, professor of psychology and neuroscience at UNC Asheville, is the 2026 recipient of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors' 2026 Award for Excellence in Teaching, UNCA announced in a Feb. 20 news release.

Foo was among 17 outstanding UNC system faculty members chosen to receive the award

 “Dr. Foo is an exemplar of what it means to be a creative, compassionate, and dedicated teacher” said Ashley Moraguez, co-chair and associate professor of political science and chair of the UNCA Teaching Awards Committee. “Dr. Foo has maintained his energy and enthusiasm for teaching for over 20 years, despite the fact that he does significant work outside the classroom for the university and the community.”
 
Dr. Foo’s teaching approach is one of innovation, ingenuity, and kindness using techniques from Universal Design for Learning. He has faced challenges associated with teaching technical neuroscience courses head on, using them as a springboard for creativity. Dr. Foo has noted that “difficult is not the same as impossible” and that he has learned to “improvise, adapt, and create unique solutions” to support students. This is evident in the meaningful hands-on experiences he facilitates in the classroom, using virtual simulations and unconventional tools to impart important and necessary skills on students who consistently rate Dr. Foo’s courses highly. Additionally, he is praised for his kind and compassionate support of students in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in which he redesigned his courses to meet student’s basic needs, help manage their stress, and provide them a space to learn and grow even in the most challenging of circumstances.
 
Dr. Foo embodies the exemplary UNC Asheville community member. His work goes beyond innovative, thoughtful teaching in the classroom. Dr. Foo has participated in search committees, UNC Asheville’s Pre-Health Committee, and in the Health Professions Advisors of North Carolina group. He has shown great leadership of the Neuroscience minor, served as the co-chair of the New Faculty Mentor Program, and supported the Contemplative Inquiry Certificate program on campus. Dr. Foo also regularly engages in university outreach activities through recruitment events and public presentations for various groups and organizations.
 
Mark Harvey, professor and department chair, explains that Dr. Foo is “a generous university citizen and a caring processor; he de-mystifies hard science and at the same time inspires our students to master complicated, technical subjectives.”
 
A fellow faculty member adds  “Dr. Foo really does exemplify the best of UNC Asheville’s teaching and colleagueship values.  His energy and kindness make our department a better place to work and learn.  His impact on both students and colleagues is profound and deeply desiring of recognition.”
 
The UNC System Board of Governors Award is now in its 32nd year. Established by the Board in 1993 to highlight the importance of teaching, the award recognizes the extraordinary contributions of faculty members System-wide. Special committees at each institution nominate recipients, who are then selected by the Board of Governors Committee on Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs.
 
“These extraordinary faculty reflect the best of our university System,” said UNC Board of Governors Chair Wendy Murphy.  “They have dedicated their lives to mentoring and supporting our students, and we celebrate their contributions.”