The Blinn College District names its 2026 Teaching Excellence Award winners

Meghan Pavlicek, Thomas Upchurch, Abraham Obregon, and Craig Jeffrey are recognized for their innovative teaching practices and dedication to student success

September 8, 2026

The Blinn College District has recognized four instructors with its 2026 Teaching Excellence Award for their outstanding classroom instruction, commitment to students, and ability to make challenging concepts engaging and accessible.

This year’s recipients are:

• Meghan Pavlicek, Biology Professor, Brenham, Sealy, and Schulenburg Campus award recipient
• Craig Jeffrey, Architecture Professor and Assistant Dean, Bryan/RELLIS Campus award recipient
• Thomas Upchurch, Architecture Instructor, Part-time award recipient
• Abraham Obregon, Architecture Instructor, Rising Star award recipient for a faculty member with less than three years of teaching experience at Blinn

Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District, presented each honoree with an award plaque during the College’s Faculty Convocation on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Meghan Pavlicek

Pavlicek has taught biology at Blinn since 2017 and regularly teaches face-to-face courses on the Brenham and Schulenburg campuses. She also has taught students on the Sealy Campus through interactive video conferencing.

Pavlicek earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from The College of Idaho and her Master of Science in Genetics from Texas A&M University. She teaches biology for science and non-science majors, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and genetics.

Recognizing that science does not always come easily to students, Pavlicek uses relatable analogies to make complex biological processes more accessible and memorable. She also developed cumulative “Pathogen Quizzes” that help microbiology students learn dozens of pathogens and their associated diseases. Since introducing the quizzes, she has seen meaningful improvements in student performance on the corresponding unit exam.

Pavlicek also emphasizes personal connections with her students. She arrives early to speak with them before class, learns their names, and uses low-pressure check-in assignments to give students an opportunity to share how they are doing and request assistance.

“I’m committed to helping students realize they are capable of more than they think,” Pavlicek said. “I want them to feel supported, valued, and confident in their ability to learn. If they come to like biology even just a little more, that’s just the icing on the cake.”

Craig Jeffrey

Jeffrey began teaching at Blinn as a part-time instructor in January 2010 and became a full-time faculty member later that year. He now serves as an Architecture Professor and assistant dean on the Bryan Campus.

Jeffrey earned his Associate of Arts in Arts and Architecture from Lee College, Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University, and Master of Architecture from Texas A&M.

In his courses, Jeffrey combines architectural principles with hands-on experience using industry-standard software, including AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lumion. Students also gain experience with laser cutters, three-dimensional printers, and drones.

Jeffrey structures his courses around a “foundation first” approach in which students develop technical skills and conceptual knowledge through a sequence of interconnected projects. In Architectural Design I, students begin by designing and fabricating three-layer wooden mazes. They then progress to models demonstrating plans, sections, and elevations before designing individual houses that are assembled into a collaborative neighborhood.

The projects allow students to build their abilities incrementally while learning how their individual work contributes to a larger studio community. Jeffrey said it is especially rewarding to see students begin teaching and guiding their classmates as they gain confidence in their own skills.

“Teaching is a continuous process of growth, experimentation, and reflection for both instructor and student,” Jeffrey said. “I work to create an enthusiastic and supportive environment where students feel encouraged to take pride in their work. Teaching is a profession filled with challenges, growth, and constant learning, and that is why it remains my passion.”

Thomas Upchurch

Upchurch has served as a part-time Architecture Instructor on the Brenham Campus since 2016. He earned his Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and his Master of Architecture from The University of Texas at Austin.

A practicing architect, Upchurch was elevated to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows in 2014, one of the profession’s highest honors. His professional and community service has included leadership positions with the Texas Society of Architects, AIA Brazos, AIA Austin, Main Street Brenham, and numerous local organizations.

Upchurch teaches primarily non-architecture majors and strives to help students recognize how the built environment shapes their daily lives. His courses connect architecture to history, culture, technology, materials, and the ways people experience light, color, sound, texture, scale, and proportion.

To expand students’ understanding beyond the classroom, Upchurch organized field trips to Houston and Austin that introduced students to museums, university campuses, the Texas Capitol, and buildings designed by internationally renowned architects. During the trips, he led architectural walking discussions and arranged for students to hear from guest speakers at locations such as Rice University and The Menil Collection.

“I teach to share knowledge, with intent to engage and inspire,” Upchurch said. “I strive to encourage critical thinking for students, to question and form an opinion. I teach because I enjoy the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these students.”

Abraham Obregon

Obregon joined Blinn as a part-time Architecture Instructor on the Bryan Campus in 2024. He earned an Associate of Arts from Houston Community College and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from Texas A&M University.

Drawing upon his professional experience as a creative design director, Obregon encourages students to explore multiple solutions, strengthen their problem-solving abilities, and develop the confidence to think independently.

In his architecture studio courses, Obregon asks students to recreate existing, recognizable buildings. Through these hands-on projects, students learn architectural software while developing their understanding of design, materials, and critical thinking. He provides students with time to work through challenges with new software before asking them to apply those skills to increasingly complex architectural designs.

Obregon fosters a collaborative environment in the architecture studio where students can create, build professional networks, develop lasting relationships, and explore new ideas. His students have responded by producing detailed architectural models and requesting letters of recommendation for their next academic and professional opportunities.

“My goal has always been to teach others in a way that they learn how to problem-solve on their own, to encourage exploration of solutions by various means, and to encourage critical thinking,” Obregon said. “It is fulfilling for me to teach, mentor, guide, and aid learners as they work through problems, develop solutions, gain knowledge, and grow in their understanding of the world around them.”

About the Blinn College District

With innovative programs and award-winning co-enrollment partnerships, Blinn’s academic transfer rate ranks No. 1 among Texas community colleges. For more information, visit www.blinn.edu.