May 1, 2026      

by your 2026 STP president, Andrew N. Christopher    

Dear STP Colleagues,

It is my distinct honor to announce the winners of the 2026 Presidential Citations: Dr. Elizabeth Yost Hammer and Dr. Regan Gurung. Both Elizabeth and Regan embody the very essence of what our organization is all about.

•    Dr. Elizabeth Yost Hammer has been a pillar of STP for years, known not only for her insightful work on pedagogy but for her unwavering commitment to mentorship. Her ability to foster inclusive environments where both faculty and students thrive is truly exemplary, as evidenced in her service for 17 years as the Director of Xavier University of Louisiana’s Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Faculty Development. 

Photo credit: Charlie Blair-Broeker

•    Dr. Regan Gurung continues to be a powerhouse of psychological science, bridging the gap between rigorous research and the practical "how-to" of the classroom, with more than 130 peer-reviewed publications and 15 books. His tireless advocacy for evidence-based teaching, including during his time as Director of Oregon State’s Center for Teaching and Learning, has shaped the careers of countless educators across the globe.

Of course, this is far from the first time we’ve seen their names together in one place. Both are former recipients of the prestigious Charles L. Brewer Award for Distinguished Teaching of Psychology, former Presidents of Psi Chi, and they have a book titled Teach Like a Champ being released next month. Please join me in congratulating them for their profound contributions to our field. We look forward to honoring them formally at ACT this coming October in St. Louis.

Indeed, as the academic year draws to a close for many of us, we have numerous things to celebrate. Even though many of us will still be teaching and doing other mission-critical work over the next few months, remember that summer is a time for rejuvenation and self-care - two practices we often preach to our students but sometimes struggle to put into practice for ourselves. Let’s make this summer a time we celebrate all of the things we accomplished this school year, even it felt more like perpetually surviving the day.

As we transition to our summer routines, I find myself humming a line from the song Sleepwalker (video embedded below):

The hills are barren but we look for what's to come: Sweeter skies and longer days of sun

Read past letters from the STP President