Posted on October 21, 2026 by Marleen Linares-Gonzalez
Through conducting basic and applied research, Dr. Lawson contributes to the theoretical understanding of developmental processes, while also informing solutions to real-world challenges that are encountered by families and those who work with children and families.
Award Recipient Dr. Monica Lawson
The Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award was granted to Monica Lawson, PhD, Associate Professor in Psychology in the College for Health, Community and Policy at UT San Antonio. The award is the highest teaching honor bestowed by The University of Texas System Board of Regents, recognizing extraordinary classroom performance, innovation, and student learning effectiveness.
On the recognition, Dr. Lawson shared: “Receiving the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award is incredibly meaningful. Knowing my commitment to teaching, students, and our community has been recognized at the UT System level motivates me to continue creating meaningful learning opportunities that empower students to grow as scholars, professionals, and engaged members of their communities.”
She went on to say, “In reflecting on this recognition, I am also deeply thankful for my many colleagues at UT San Antonio and our community partners throughout San Antonio who have helped make this course possible and continue to welcome my students to their organizations and share their expertise with my students. Our partnership with SJRC Texas Belong has been instrumental in creating meaningful experiential learning opportunities for my students. I am deeply grateful to their team for welcoming our students, supporting their engagement with youth in foster care, and helping bring the concepts we discuss in class to life.”
Dr. Lawson is a developmental and experimental psychologist and conducts basic and applied research that contributes to the theoretical understanding of developmental processes, while also informing solutions to real-world challenges that are encountered by families and those who work with children and families. Her work has significant applied implications for scenarios in which children’s memory and communication about their past inform high-stakes decision-making and can be targeted in interventions to foster development in a variety of domains.
Learn more about all of UT San Antonio's 2026 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award winners at UT San Antonio Today.
— Marleen Linares-Gonzalez
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