Four Faculty Members Earn Regents Faculty Awards

Four faculty members from The University of Baltimore are being recognized by the University System Board of Regents' 2026 Faculty Awards—the single highest honor bestowed by the board across a select number of categories. It's the first time in memory that this many members of the UBalt faculty have received the recognition at the same time.

The winners and their categories are:

• John Bessler, professor in the School of Law, for Excellence in Scholarship or Research
• Nienke Grossman, professor in the School of Law and co-director for the Center for International and Comparative Law, for Excellence in Public Service
• Heather Pfeifer, professor and executive director of the School of Criminal Justice in the College of Public Affairs, for Excellence in Mentoring
• Mortimer Sellers, Regents Professor of the University System of Maryland for the School of Law and director of the Center for International and Comparative Law, for Excellence in Teaching

"I share the view of our scholars, staff members, students and alumni when I say how proud we are to be a part of this dedicated community of teaching and learning," President Kurt L. Schmoke said in a message to the University community. "The University of Baltimore has built its reputation on the meeting of professor and pupil, of expert and explorer, of knowledge and its highest and best use. It's especially gratifying to know that this tradition is not only stable—it's actually growing. My congratulations to all."

"We are immensely proud of Professors Bessler, Grossman, and Sellers. Their scholarship, service, and teaching exemplify what makes UBalt Law exceptional—rigorous inquiry, meaningful public engagement, and an unwavering commitment to student success,” said School of Law Dean LaVonda N. Reed.

In a message to the College of Public Affairs about Prof. Pfeifer, Interim Dean Ivan Sascha Sheehan said, "Our College now has nine USM Board of Regents Award recipients on our faculty and one on our staff—an outstanding illustration of the excellence in our ranks. Congratulations to Dr. Pfeifer on this well-deserved recognition and very high honor. We are immensely fortunate to have her on our faculty!"

The University occasionally has had two professors win the award in a single year. In 2005, and again in 2016, three faculty members received the honor. But this is the first time that campus officials can recall that four UBalt professors received the Board of Regents recognition simultaneously.

UBalt is represented in four of the five award categories this year. USM Chancellor Jay Perman said that the board will recognize all of the awardees from throughout the USM institutions on April 26 during a celebration at Hidden Waters.