Congratulations to Oscar Lansen, 2026 Teaching Excellence Award Recipient

Oscar Lansen, teaching professor of history, is the recipient of the 2026 UNC Charlotte Award for Teaching Excellence. This honor recognizes his outstanding dedication to teaching and his commitment to student success.

Lansen is recognized for his innovative, student-centered approach to teaching that transforms the classroom into an engaging and collaborative learning environment. Drawing on decades of expertise in history, pedagogy and active learning, he guides students through hands-on analysis, critical inquiry and meaningful discussion, encouraging them to become active participants in the learning process. By modeling historical investigation and fostering intellectual curiosity, Lansen helps students develop the skills and confidence to think deeply about the past and its relevance to the present.

“My passion for teaching, guided by my European training and expertise in history, history pedagogy and teaching, continues to motivate my research, didactical collaboration and instructional innovation,” Lansen said. “I am fortunate to have been given the opportunity over my career to help shape the lives of others, optimize instruction and programs, lower barriers to learning, instill growth and perseverance, share expertise and skills, model inquiry and promote student well-being.”

Lansen’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Through dynamic courses on subjects such as the Holocaust, Nazi Germany and modern conflict, he has advanced innovative teaching practices that emphasize visual-spatial analysis, active learning and student success. His leadership has helped shape academic programs, university traditions and student-focused initiatives across UNC Charlotte. A dedicated advocate for educational access and community engagement, Lansen has played a key role in developing learning communities, fostering partnerships and expanding opportunities for students to engage in transformative academic experiences.

“Oscar is a highly original and innovative instructor,” said Amanda Pipkin, chair of the Department of History. “From visual analysis to experiential learning to team teaching and learning, he has set new standards for innovative teaching practices in a field long dominated by lecture courses.”