University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award
The UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award was established in 1994 to underscore the importance of teaching and to encourage, identify, recognize, reward and support good teaching within the UNC System. Every year, one faculty member from each of the System’s 17 constituent institutions is selected for the award, which comes with a $12,500 cash prize. To be eligible for the award, nominees must have taught at their System institution for a minimum of seven years, demonstrated excellence in, and commitment to, teaching, and actively teach in the academic year in which they are selected.
Dr. Charlie Chen
Award Year: 2025
Professor, Department of Computer Information Systems
Dr. Charlie Chen, professor in App State's Department of Computer Information Systems, has been a valued faculty member at the university since 2003.
Chen has designed and taught nearly 30 undergraduate and graduate courses in the Walker College of Business. He holds a Dean's Club Professorship and has received many prestigious honors, including the Sywassink Award for Excellence in Research and the Faculty Global Leadership Award.
"Dr. Chen's performance as a teacher and researcher, and his service to the university, is nothing short of legendary," shared one of Chen's nominators. "He is well known among faculty and students for his high energy and positive attitude, which are simply contagious. What has impressed me the most is his leadership, mentorship and, above all, his unwavering commitment to ensuring the success of students both in the classroom and in their future careers."
Chen holds a Master of Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Master of Business Administration from the American Graduate School of International Management (now known as the Thunderbird School of Global Management) and a doctorate from Claremont Graduate University.