Dr. Rachel Henderson awarded the College of Natural Science’s Excellence in Teaching Award

The Physics Education Research Lab at Michigan State University is proud to announce that Prof. Rachel Henderson has been awarded the College of Natural Science’s Norman L and Olga K. Fritz Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to physics education.

Prof. Henderson’s teaching spans both introductory and advanced physics courses, where she consistently creates engaging, evidence-based learning environments. Her active learning approach empowers students to tackle complex problems and develop critical thinking skills. She is also a leader in integrating computing into physics curricula and exploring innovative tools—such as natural language processing—to enhance assessment and support student success.

Beyond the classroom, Prof. Henderson mentors undergraduate researchers and champions equity in STEM education through federally funded projects, including initiatives to improve educational outcomes for community college transfer students and to develop fair, inclusive assessments in collaboration with colleagues across the sciences.

Upon receiving the award, Prof. Henderson said, “I am grateful for this recognition and even more grateful for the students and colleagues who motivate my work. The teaching and learning of physics is a shared journey, and this award reflects my commitment toward cultivating classroom spaces where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.”

This award highlights Prof. Henderson’s dedication to fostering an inclusive, intellectually stimulating environment for all students and her commitment to advancing modern physics education.

Congratulations, Rachel, on this well-deserved honor!