Award Winners

The School of Engineering is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2023-24 faculty awards: Alka Jarvis, Adjunct Lecturer of the Year Award; Francisco Villarroya Alvarez, Markle Award; Ying Liu, Researcher of the Year Award; Angela Musurlian, Teaching Excellence Award; Ruth Davis, Special Dean's Recognition Award.

Markle Award - Francisco Villarroya Alvarez

Dr. Francisco Villarroya Alvarez began teaching at Santa Clara University in Fall 2022. Since then, he has taught all of the undergraduate courses in the Applied Mathematics Department, rapidly gaining a reputation for being an engaging and dedicated professor. Students regularly comment on his caring nature and his accessibility outside of class. With his impressive scholarly work in harmonic analysis, he embodies the teacher-scholar model of Santa Clara University.

Adjunct Lecturer of the Year Award - Alka Jarvis

Alka Jarvis has been a dedicated adjunct lecturer for the Computer Science and Engineering Department since 1997 and has made significant contributions to its graduate program. She developed both CSEN 285 and 288 classes from scratch, with CSEN 288 being an important course for software engineers and a graduate core class. ‘Alka embodies what the SCU Computer Science and Engineering graduate program is all about, bringing in world-class leaders from the industry to provide a cutting-edge perspective on relevant topics.’

Researcher of the Year Award - Ying Liu

Dr. Ying Liu is a distinguished researcher with expertise in Video and Image Processing, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. Her work at SCU has led to breakthroughs in deep-learning-based coding, resulting in 12 conference papers. She has published widely, mentored students, and won multiple grants, including one as the lead investigator from the National Science Foundation. Her role exceeds that of a typical assistant professor, highlighted by her Associate Editor position at the IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems for Video Technology.

Award for Teaching Excellence - Angela Musurlian

Dr. Angela Musurlian, a Computer Science and Engineering faculty for ten years, is renowned for her excellent teaching and student mentorship. Her innovative methods and dedication to student success have made her classes, especially CSEN 11, highly sought after. She is well-regarded for her supportive office hours and her genuine concern for students’ academic and personal growth. Her passion for teaching and the positive impact she has on the department is clear: ‘She is a committed and passionate teacher, and our department is extremely fortunate to have her.’

Dean's Special Recognition Award - Ruth Davis

Dr. Ruth Davis has been the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the School of Engineering since 2003, significantly impacting students and the overall engineering education. She established the Engineering Peer Advising and mentorship programs, enhancing student experiences and faculty advising. She has championed women in computing and underrepresented students, leading initiatives and receiving the Distinguished Engineering Educator Award in 2020. Her passion extends beyond SCU, serving as an ABET evaluator and team chair, recognized as an ABET Expert. Ruth exemplifies SCU’s commitment to holistic education, student success, and diversity.