Elizabeth Agboluaje, PhD Student in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, has been recognized by the University of Georgia as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Outstanding Teaching Assistant (OTA) Award. This honor celebrates graduate students who demonstrate superior instructional skills while serving in the classroom or laboratory.

Administered by the Center for Teaching and Learning and sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Instruction, the OTA award acknowledges the critical role that teaching assistants play in advancing the University’s educational mission. Elizabeth’s exceptional commitment to student learning and dedication to fostering an engaging academic environment set her apart from other nominees.

Elizabeth’s responsibilities have included conducting training sessions for junior TAs, grading lab exercises, providing one-on-one instruction to students, facilitating tutoring sessions, and proctoring in-lab practicums. As a lead TA for Dr. Deborah Elder, she was also tasked with delivering at least one lecture per semester, either to PharmD students or junior TAs, as part of the preparatory TA training sessions. About Elizabeth, Dr. Elder said, “she is an absolute pleasure to work with and has been an invaluable asset in the classroom. Her exceptional work ethic and unwavering commitment to assisting students deserve special commendation. Elizabeth approaches her role with a level of professionalism and diligence that is both impressive and inspiring. She is respectful to her peers, students and professors alike, fostering an inclusive and productive learning environment.”

Elizabeth will be honored alongside other award recipients at a celebration event on April 9, 2025, where the University community will come together to recognize the outstanding contributions of graduate teaching assistants across campus. A list of all awardees may be found here.