Western New England University (WNE) has named Nuwan De Silva, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, as the recipient of the 2026 Teaching Excellence Award—recognizing his commitment to student learning, innovative instruction, and mentorship.

Since joining WNE in 2017, De Silva has built a reputation for making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging. His teaching blends research and real-world application, helping students connect theory to practice in meaningful ways. His scholarly work in quantum mechanical modeling and lanthanide chemistry further informs a classroom approach grounded in discovery and curiosity.

“I’m deeply honored by this recognition, but what matters most to me is the opportunity to work with our students,” De Silva said. “Teaching is about more than delivering content—it’s about guiding students as they grow in confidence, think critically, and prepare for what comes next.”

The award also recognizes an accomplished group of finalists whose work reflects the strength and diversity of WNE’s faculty. The 2026 nominees and finalists included Jingru Benner, Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering); Dan Bevacqua (English); Abby Caselli, Ph.D. (Psychology); Andrew Moore (Business Analytics and Information Management); and Chidike I. Okeem, Ph.D. (Criminal Justice and Criminology ). Together, they exemplify WNE’s teacher-scholar model—pairing academic rigor with hands-on learning and meaningful mentorship.

The Teaching Excellence Award is presented annually to a full-time faculty member in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, or Engineering who demonstrates outstanding instructional practice and student engagement.

De Silva was formally recognized during the University’s 2026 Commencement ceremonies.