Lauren Hopkins Honored with Regional Recognition for Teaching Excellence
Lauren Hopkins, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Psychology, has received an honorable mention in the doctoral student category of the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) Excellence in Teaching, a regional recognition spanning more than 100 institutions across the Midwest.
The MAGS Excellence in Teaching Award honors graduate students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to teaching and mentorship. Each university may nominate one doctoral and one master’s student through a competitive internal review process. After being selected as the University of Minnesota’s doctoral nominee, Hopkins went on to receive honorable mention following the regional MAGS review, highlighting her impact beyond the University.
For Hopkins, the recognition is deeply meaningful. “Teaching is central to my identity as a social psychologist,” she shared, noting that her research training directly informs how she designs inclusive, engaging learning environments. As she prepares for a faculty career, she views the award as an affirmation of her commitment to thoughtful, research-informed instruction. She also expressed gratitude for the mentorship and teaching opportunities that have shaped her development as an educator.
Lauren Hopkins, M.S., doctoral candidate in Social Psychology (minor: Political Psychology), Department of Psychology, College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota.
Composed by Nguyen Kiet Pham, communications assistant.
