We are proud to announce that Marina Astitha (Environmental Engineering) and Sarira Motaref (Civil Engineering) have been awarded the C.R. Klewin Teaching Award for the 2024-2025 academic year. This annual award honors outstanding faculty who demonstrate a sustained commitment to excellence in engineering education and student success. 

Dr. Marina Astitha is an Associate Professor in the Environmental Engineering program. Her research integrates regional and global atmospheric modeling systems to address critical environmental issues such as extreme weather prediction and air quality forecasting. Dr. Astitha is also recognized for her commitment to inclusive and innovative graduate education. 

Dr. Sarira Motaref, a Professor in Residence in Civil Engineering and Associate Director of Faculty Development in UConn’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), has a deep passion for pedagogical innovation. Her research spans structural engineering, seismic design, and 3D imaging for bridge assessments, but it’s her instructional leadership and focus on student-centered learning that earned her this distinction. 

This award was established by Charles R. Klewin, founder and Chairman of the KLEWIN Building Company, in recognition of teaching excellence in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Mr. Klewin, a UConn Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award recipient, has generously supported the school through endowments and professional mentorship over the years. 

We congratulate Drs. Astitha and Motaref on this well-deserved honor and thank them for their continued dedication to the student experience.