Kozak receives UGA Award for Excellence in Teaching
Melissa Kozak, a principal lecturer in the department of human development and family science, is one of two recipients of the University of Georgia Award for Excellence in Teaching, an honor recognizing sustained excellence in instruction.
Kim Landrum, a principal lecturer in the department of advertising and public relations in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, is the other honoree.
“It is an honor to recognize these two exceptional educators for their inspiring commitment to our students,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “They excel at nurturing an intellectual curiosity in their students while empowering them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. Melissa and Kim represent the very best of our faculty and their tireless work to elevate the UGA learning experience.”
Melissa Scott Kozak
While Kozak enters the classroom with a plan, she is quick to adapt to the needs and perspectives of her students. She challenges and engages students in active learning experiences that encourage them to think critically about the course material. As a result of these two-way interactions, she often adjusts readings or classroom activities and identifies new topics to cover.
Kozak teaches courses required for certification in family life education and prepares students for careers in a wide range of professions including parenting education, relationship education and public policy.
“It is my responsibility to prepare my students to enter the field as effective practitioners and scholars, so they know how to listen to others describe their needs instead of assuming they know what others need,” Kozak said. “I want students to know that while they have expertise in the field, the individuals and families that they engage with as professionals are experts about their own lives and must be active partners.”
A member of the UGA faculty since 2011, Kozak also serves as undergraduate program coordinator and internship coordinator in the department of human development and family science. She has received several awards including the 2025 UGA Service-Learning Teaching Excellence Award. Kozak was named a member of the UGA Teaching Academy in 2024.
“The service-learning projects, the conversations about family policy, the constant encouragement to look at issues from more than one angle — all of that stuck with me,” Charlie Fleming, a 2014 graduate, said about Kozak’s classes. “I felt like she saw where each of us was trying to go and tried to help us get there.”
A focus on excellence in teaching
The University of Georgia Award for Excellence in Teaching was established in 2021 based on a recommendation from the UGA Teaching Academy. The award highlights the university’s commitment to its teaching mission and recognizes teaching faculty whose time is primarily dedicated to offering outstanding instruction to students, promoting pedagogical innovation and providing an engaging environment for student learning.
Nominations for the award are submitted by deans and considered by a committee of senior faculty members and undergraduate students. Full-time faculty members who have held a non-tenurable teaching position at UGA for at least 10 years are eligible for the honor, which includes a $7,500 cash award. To learn more about the award, visit https://provost.uga.edu/academic-excellence/honors-awards/teaching-awards-professorships/excellence-in-teaching/.
This article was written by Mike Wooten, Director of Communications for Academic Affairs in the Office of the Provost. To see the full release, visit https://news.uga.edu/uga-honors-kozak-landrum-with-award-for-excellence-in-teaching/