NYU Shanghai celebrated the recipients of 2024-2025 Teaching Excellence Award (TEA) on May 9, honoring three outstanding faculty members – Assistant Professor of Finance Christina Wang, Assistant Professor of Practice in Finance Jingyuan Mo, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Writing Program Fernando Romero -- for their innovative, impactful, and student-centered teaching.
Established in 2021, the award recognizes faculty members who exemplify pedagogical creativity, rigorous instruction, and a commitment to nurturing students’ intellectual and cross-cultural development.
“We take teaching very seriously at NYU Shanghai,” Provost Joanna Waley-Cohen said. “And we are very proud to honor faculty members who’ve risen to the top in their teaching, who have really taken seriously the charge to teach in innovative and effective ways.” She expressed gratitude to the TEA Selection Committee for their thorough and thoughtful evaluation process.
Professor of Psychology Pekka Santtila, who served as this year’s TEA selection committee chair, echoed those sentiments, adding that amidst the AI revolution, the role of the teacher remains crucially important. “Creating, fostering deeper connections and igniting curiosity and inquiry through human interactions,” he said.
Professor Christina Wang was selected for her charismatic and clear approach which made volatility modeling accessible -- even enjoyable -- for the students. Nathalie Brzesowsky ’25, who took a Financial Market Volatility Modeling course with Professor Wang spoke at the event, highlighting how Professor Wang skillfully broke down complex topics like time series modeling, enabling even beginners to engage confidently. Beyond technical instruction, she noted that Professor Wang truly cared about students’ learning and personal development.
“I'm leaving her class with a much deeper understanding of financial markets and volatility than I thought I would,” Brzesowsky said.
Professor Jingyuan Mo was selected for his ability to bridge theory and real-world insights, making finance feel personal and approachable. Yu Siwen ’25, a Business and Finance major, offered heartfelt congratulations to Professor Mo, claiming him “one of the most popular and impactful professors” at NYU Shanghai. Yu pointed to his blend of prestigious academic training and industry experience as a key strength in his teaching. His courses, she said, while intellectually demanding, often incorporate examples from current markets and guest speakers from leading institutions.
“Engaging in this process makes me feel that students’ voices are heard at NYU Shanghai,” she said. “You all make our learning experience fantastic, and make NYU Shanghai great. I believe that I will miss my time here after graduation.”
Professor Fernando Romero was selected for beautifully demonstrating to his students how writing can be a profound form of inquiry. Professor Romero’s student, Peng Xu’er ’27, shared two moments that illustrated his deep care for students: early in the semester, Romero took time to carefully learn and pronounce each student’s name, showing deep respect for their diverse identities. At the end of the course, he created a presentation honoring students’ work, highlighting their growth and contributions to the class.
Peng emphasized that Professor Romero’s influence extended far beyond academic instruction; he fostered a sense of belonging and mutual respect that made the class unforgettable. “I’d gladly take another class with him, no matter the subject,” she said.
Receiving the award, Professor Christina Wang first expressed deep gratitude and humility, crediting the entire NYU Shanghai community for creating a unique environment that fosters great teaching. She spoke passionately about how her students’ intellectual curiosity fuels her own teaching and how the university’s collaborative atmosphere and institutional support have empowered her to grow as an educator.
“Teaching is not about delivering content only; it’s actually also about building human connection,” she said.
The theme of building connections was a common one among the award recipients as they talked about their teaching experiences. Professor Jingyuan Mo recalled his early teaching days with a small class of five students and how the close relationships he has built have sustained him through the years. He described teaching as not just a profession. “It’s a passion,” he said. “It’s a calling and a journey of continuous learning on my own.”
He emphasized the importance of adapting to students’ diverse learning needs, developing students’ critical thinking ability, fostering a positive classroom environment, and empowering all students to believe in their potential -- including those who struggle. “For me, teaching is a reciprocal process of learning, reflection, and responsibility,” he said.
Last but not least, Professor Romero offered heartfelt thanks, underscoring the central role his students play in shaping his teaching. Drawing from his personal experience as an international student from El Salvador, he celebrated the power of multicultural education and the mutual discovery it invites.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Writing Program Fernando Romero reflecting on teaching at the event
“Learning can only happen when we don’t know – and more transformatively, when we recognize each other... all as students, all learning together,” Professor Romero said.
He said working with students has helped him better understand the power of writing -- not just as a skill, but as a fundamental technology that shapes our understanding of society and self.He closed with a renewed commitment to evolve as an educator, promising to make his students feel seen, heard, and actively involved in all stages of learning.
In addition to the three awardees, four honorable mentions were named: Assistant Professor of Practice in Mathematics Eric Endo, Assistant Professor of Political Science Jieun Kim, Assistant Professor of Practice in Economics Aleksandar Stojanovic, and Professor of Practice in Computer Science Xu Lihua.