Rob Stewart, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and an instructor in the Honors College, has been named a recipient of the 2025 Donna B. Hamilton Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. The award, presented by the Office of Undergraduate Studies, honors faculty members who have made a lasting impact on undergraduate education through exceptional teaching and mentorship.

Professor Stewart was recognized for his work in HNUH218W: Freedom and Captivity: Prisons, Punishment, and Citizenship, a course offered through the Honors College that challenges students to examine systems of incarceration and the meaning of citizenship in the context of punishment and reform.

The award is based entirely on student nominations from across the university. Stewart’s students described his course as one of the most engaging and impactful they have taken at Maryland.

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to take charge of our learning through an interactive and engaging process,” one student wrote in their nomination. “This class was the first where I truly absorbed the material and felt deeply connected to what I was learning. The way you channel your passion, knowledge, and understanding into your teaching is rare and invaluable.”

Others praised Professor Stewart’s authenticity and the powerful example he set through his personal and professional journey.

“Professor Stewart was an example of resilience and perseverance,” another student shared. “His journey demonstrated that setbacks do not have to determine one’s destiny, and his dedication to education and personal growth was inspiring. He never let his past define him. Instead, he approached teaching with an open mind, uplifting both the classroom and his students.”

The Donna B. Hamilton Award is named for the former Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean for Undergraduate Studies, who also served as a professor in the English department and received the President’s Medal in 2015. Each year, the Office of Undergraduate Studies honors two faculty members—one teaching in a UGST program and one in a General Education program—with a $1,000 award. Winners are recognized at the annual UGST Recognition Awards Ceremony.

Professor Stewart will be formally recognized on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in the Prince George’s Room at the Stamp Student Union.