UT System Recognizes Math Professor’s Formula for Success

Motivated by his mother's teaching style, a University of Texas at Dallas mathematics educator has found a formula for success in his own classroom.

Jigarkumar Patel MS'10, PhD'11, professor of instruction in mathematical sciences in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, is one of 12 recipients of the 2025 Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, the UT System's highest teaching honor.

The award recognizes faculty from the UT System's 13 academic and health institutions for their extraordinary classroom presence and innovative instructional methods. Each recipient receives a certificate, a medallion and a cash award.

"As a kid, seeing my mom teaching other kids and explaining things to her students with so much simplicity, I wanted to be like her," said Patel, whose mother retired from teaching elementary students a few years ago. "That is something that continues to motivate me."

Patel earned bachelor's and master's degrees in India in pure mathematics, and then a bachelor's in math/science education from Prakash College of Education in India. His UT Dallas graduate degrees are in applied mathematics.

Patel was a senior lecturer at UT Dallas from 2011 to 2018 and spent two years as a clinical assistant professor at New York University before returning to UT Dallas in 2019.

During his time at UT Dallas, Patel has been course coordinator for Applied Calculus I and II cumulatively for more than 10 years. He also played a key role in working with the Student Success Center to initiate a peer-led team learning program in mathematical sciences.

"As the course coordinator, Dr. Patel has been instrumental to the success of Applied Calculus I, a foundational course enrolling nearly 1,300 students annually," said Dr. Vladimir Dragovic, professor and department head of mathematical sciences. "Under his leadership, all sections now follow a unified syllabus, standardized homework, common quizzes, and identical midterm and final exams, an approach that has significantly improved student learning outcomes."

In 2016 Patel received UT Dallas' President's Teaching Excellence Award for a non-tenure-track faculty member.

"When it comes to teaching philosophy, my logic is very simple: Give students a sense of belonging from the very first lecture," Patel said. "As educators, it's very important to make sure that students get that we are there for them. That kind of support builds connection, motivates students to come to class and ultimately contributes to student success."

In 2012, an experience grading a student's exam led Patel to develop a teaching strategy that has since been implemented by other instructors in the applied calculus courses that he coordinates, resulting in improved student performance.

"Some applied calculus exam problems have solutions that can run a page or more," Patel said. "One student had begun to answer a problem with two or three lines, but then they stopped. I was disheartened - the student knew how to start the process, but they didn't keep up with that process."

The experience led Patel to develop a general step-by-step solution strategy that breaks down math problems into small logical pieces that then are connected to solve a specific problem.

"The approach worked amazingly," he said. "We conducted an analysis and found that once-daunting questions became much simpler for about 80% of our students."

Dragovic said Patel stands out among the math department's outstanding educators, six of whom have previously received a Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award.

"Our department is fully devoted to the highest standards of teaching and is a cradle of outstanding teachers," Dragovic said. "In every interaction with students and colleagues, Dr. Patel demonstrates a rare combination of intellectual rigor, creativity, humbleness, willingness to help and compassion that defines the very best of our academic community."

"In every interaction with students and colleagues, Dr. Patel demonstrates a rare combination of intellectual rigor, creativity, humbleness, willingness to help and compassion that defines the very best of our academic community."

Dr. Vladimir Dragovic, professor and department head of mathematical sciences

Patel's advice for educators - no matter their level of teaching - is to never hesitate to ask for help from an experienced person.

"I have found they almost always are willing to help, especially at UT Dallas, where we are surrounded by many great minds," he said. "I also encourage instructors to be supportive and provide additional resources to students who are experiencing hardship. It's all about unlocking human potential. I see it as one student, one breakthrough, one meaningful moment at a time."

Media Contact:

Amanda Siegfried, UT Dallas, 972-883-4335, [email protected], or the Office of Media Relations, UT Dallas, (972) 883-2155, [email protected].