Eller College Professors Win Top Innovation and Teaching Awards at 2024 Luminaries Ceremony

The Eller College of Management is proud to announce that two of its distinguished faculty members Joe Valacich, professor of management information systems and Muzzy Endowed Chair, and Sherri Silverberg, lecturer in accounting, have been honored with prestigious 2024 Luminaries Outstanding Faculty Awards, presented on October 30 at the Luminaries Outstanding Faculty Awards event.

Valacich has been named the recipient of the University Distinguished Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award. Established in 2021, this recognition celebrates individuals who have demonstrated significant impact in research, commercialization or education through innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Arizona. Recipients receive a $5,000 allocation in University funds to support continued research in their discipline. 

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The award recognizes outstanding commitment to innovation through various achievements, including a significant record of innovation focusing on translation and impact, commercial impact benefiting Arizonans and global communities, sustained engagement with RII to foster student innovation and significant achievement in entrepreneurial education.

"Joe epitomizes what it means for an academic faculty to be a true innovator and entrepreneur," says Jeff Schatzberg, vice dean of faculty and research and Frances McClelland Chair of Accounting. "His awesome combination of creative vision and hard work sets the bar for being successful in this space, and I am so very proud that he has won the coveted University Distinguished Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award. Well Done Joe!"

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Silverberg has been awarded the Margaret M. Briehl and Dennis T. Ray Five Star Faculty Award—the University's only student-selected teaching award. This distinguished recognition involves a rigorous selection process where a student committee solicits nominations from peers across campus, reviews teaching philosophy statements, conducts class visits, and interviews finalists.

"I can't think of anyone more worthy than Sherri being awarded The Margaret M. Briehl and Dennis T. Ray Five Star Faculty Award," says Schatzberg. "Her passion, care and commitment to our students is simply amazing and awe inspiring, and fully reflected in this prestigious and very well-deserved award. There are countless times when I am out in the external community and someone comes up to me when they learn I am affiliated with the Eller College, and says 'Sherri Silverberg is the best instructor I have ever had at the U of A….she is an incredible teacher and mentor!' We at the Eller College are so proud of you Sherri, Well done!"

Karthik Kannan, dean and Halle Chair in Leadership, expressed his pride in both faculty members' achievements: "Sherri and Joe exemplify the transformative impact, innovative spirit and teaching excellence that make the Eller College a leader in business education. Joe's work represents innovation in action—not just theory—while Sherri's selection by our students speaks to her exceptional impact in the classroom. Through their innovative teaching methods and unwavering commitment to excellence, they continue to shape tomorrow's business leaders. I am immensely proud to have them as part of the Eller family."