Six MIT SHASS educators receive 2025 Levitan Teaching Awards

Six educators have received the James A. (’48) and Ruth Levitan Award for Excellence in Teaching for 2025. The award, given annually by the MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (SHASS), honors superlative teachers across the school. Winners are nominated by MIT students.

“These educators are some of the finest instructors at MIT. Their dedication to our students makes a real difference and is deeply appreciated,” says Agustín Rayo, Kenan Sahin Dean of SHASS.

Learn more about the honorees below.

Cathy Culot, Lecturer II in French, Global Languages

“Madame Culot provides assignments that immerse us in French language and culture. Exercises like these not only help get us closer to our classmates but also help us learn vocabulary that would be useful in daily life. I think Culot’s emphasis on curating the material based on our needs made us feel more in control of the material, and thus more confident to speak in French. She holds us to a high standard when learning French, and this has led to so much growth.”

Maureen Hughes, Lecturer in Comparative Media Studies/Writing

“Professor Hughes offers some of the best classes I’ve taken at MIT. We roleplayed as the educational theorists we studied in a playful competition, artistically reflected on our experiences observing in schools around Cambridge, wrote papers, listened to guest speakers, and were challenged to lead the class ourselves in similar activities to the ones Maureen modeled for us, as we led discussion activities about education-related current events. I and many of my classmates came into the class vaguely interested in education, and left the class absolutely certain that we’re going to work in this field in the future. Maureen’s passion was contagious, and there has been no other educator who left such a lasting impact on me at MIT.”

Hee-Jeong Jeong, Senior Lecturer in Korean, Global Languages

“Hee-Jeong Jeong exemplifies what it means to be an effective teacher. Her classroom presentations provide the grammar structures we learn. They include the English translations, which are color coded and either bolded or highlighted according to the structures in Korean. This makes it easy to follow along. She includes references with videos specific to each structure. To care as much as she does is important because we want her to know that we appreciate her and her work. Her consistent support, no matter the time or circumstance, has not only increased my understanding of Korean, but has also significantly boosted my confidence in using the language. She frequently reviewed my study guides, even over weekends, returning them promptly with detailed feedback and calling me to explain challenging grammar concepts when needed.”

Crystal Lee, KDD Career Development Professor in Communications and Technology, shared appointment in Comparative Media Studies/Writing and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing in the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society

“From the first class, it was evident that she invested tremendous thought and care into creating an exceptional learning environment; she meticulously organized the course. What truly sets her apart is her ability to transform complex subjects into engaging, interactive learning experiences. Professor Lee enriches our understanding through varied visualization techniques and facilitates thought-provoking discussions that keep everyone actively engaged in the learning process. Her dynamic teaching style captivates our class. Given that MIT is a place where new technology is born and media has a large impact on it, I believe Professor Lee is bringing MIT students valuable insight into the relationship between media and technology, motivating us to also think about the ethical side of technological development.”

Mark Roemisch, Lecturer in German, Global Languages

“Before taking this class, I was sure I could never learn German because of its complexity and extensive grammar rules, but this class made me feel very confident. Professor Roemisch embodies the artistic soul of MIT’s German language section. With Herr Römisch, language transcends textbooks and grammar exercises, becoming a vibrant, living expression embedded in art, film, theater, and culture. He brings energy and enthusiasm to every class, explains complex grammar concepts clearly, answers questions thoroughly, and makes sure that every student gets the chance to speak.”

Ken Urban, Senior Lecturer, Dramatic Writing, Music and Theater Arts

“Ken is the most dedicated to mentorship. He treats all his students as if we were professionals working in the industry. From the content of his courses to the type of feedback he gave to us, it was clear that Ken believed in our ideas and in our ability to execute them. It  felt like we were learning and pushing ourselves as writers. Despite having never written a play or anything theatrical before this class, we felt supported by him. I have always loved writing, but through Ken’s classes and the opportunities he’s given me, I have discovered a love of playwriting and it has become something I love doing and would love to keep doing.”