CCS W&L Faculty Ellen O’Connell Whittet and CCS Computing Faculty Richert Wang Receive 2023-24 Academic Senate Distinguished Award

April 30, 2024

CCS W&L and Computing Faculty recognized for their teaching and research contributions to the university

CCS W&L Faculty Ellen O’Connell Whittet ‘08 (CCS Literature), CCS Computing Faculty Richert Wang
CCS W&L Faculty Ellen O’Connell Whittet ‘08 (CCS Literature), CCS Computing Faculty Richert Wang

CCS W&L Faculty Ellen O’Connell Whittet ‘08 (CCS Literature) and CCS Computing Faculty Richert Wang were two of six faculty members honored with the 2023-24 UC Santa Barbara Academic Senate Distinguished Teaching Award. The award, presented alongside a cash prize during the Faculty Legislature Meeting, recognizes senate and non-senate faculty who demonstrate outstanding achievements in research and the teaching mission of the University.

Ellen teaches a creative nonfiction junior tutorial course, providing expertise to students as they develop their senior portfolios. As an alumna of CCS Literature, she will also serve as a judge for the inaugural M. Garren Tinney Writing Award. 

Beyond teaching, Ellen co-hosts a weekly podcast titled Good Moms on Paper. Her debut book, "What You Become in Flight: A Memoir," explores themes of ballet and violence against women and was named a most-anticipated book by Refinery 29 and Chicago Review. Ellen, an essayist and recipient of the Virginia Faulkner Award, has been featured in publications such as Time.

Richert Wang joined CCS Computing in 2017 and is a recipient of the California Education Learning Lab Seed Grant and the National Science Foundation (NSF) Broadening Participation in Computing - Demonstration Project (NSF BPC-DP) grant, in which he aims to improve inclusivity in high school computing through culturally responsive curriculum and an innovative digital platform.

He recently showcased his Video Game Design for Non-Majors course at a CCS Coffee n’ Share event held last December. In addition, Richert teaches a Computer Programming and Organization course, which prepares students to participate in undergraduate research projects in Computing.

The College extends heartfelt congratulations to Ellen and Richert for their remarkable impact on the University.