CSUMB professor wins national teaching honors

By Mark Muckenfuss

Cal State Monterey Bay Professor Jose Pablo “JP” Dundore-Arias is one of two people to receive early-career teacher honors as part of the 2025 Excellence in College and University Teaching Awards for Food and Agricultural Sciences, presented by the USDA and the  Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. The awards were announced Thursday, Jan. 22. 

The agencies announced a dozen winners in various categories. CSUMB was the only non-R1 federal Land-grant University among them. Other winners come from such schools as Penn State, University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Illinois Champagne. 

Dundore-Arias, director of the agricultural plant and soil science program, said he knew last year that he had been nominated for the award by some colleagues. 

“It was very moving, and I felt very honored,” he said. “But I never really thought it was something I could get. It’s a major recognition.”

The USDA said the awards “celebrate university faculty for their use of innovative teaching methods and service to students [and] will be presented during the 2026 APLU annual meeting.”

In a press release, Wendy Fink, executive director of the Academic Programs section at APLU, said she was pleased to recognize the winners.

“Their steadfast dedication to teaching and mentorship profoundly influences not only the trajectory of their students, but also inspires colleagues through the academic community, nurturing a culture of ongoing growth and distinction,” Fink said in the statement. 

CSUMB Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew Lawson said he has seen the impact Dundore-Arias has made. 

"JP has shown himself to be an excellent teacher, but more than that, he is a tremendous mentor to his students," Lawson said. "He sees the potential in his students, and guides them to see future pathways that change the trajectories of their lives while also preparing them to be leaders in our regional agricultural industry."

Thomas Horvath, dean of the College of Science, said the award brings important recognition to CSUMB.

“We're the only university in California being recognized among a group of research-intensive universities,” Horvath said. “We are very proud that the leadership in teaching that JP is known for locally has been recognized – now nationally – and with such a prestigious group of awardees.”

Dundore-Arias said he’s pleased that it not only spotlights CSUMB, but also speaks to the school’s traditional outreach to underserved communities. 

“I’m a first-generation student and an immigrant,” he said. “I hope it allows our students to think about what the opportunities are.

“I also think it’s important that they picked someone from a small school that is not known as an agricultural school,” he added. “CSUMB is not a land-grant university, so being selected is a huge honor. We’re small, but we’re mighty.” 

The same might be said of the agricultural plant and soil science program, which was launched with a handful of students in 2020 and now has more than 150 enrolled. Dundore-Arias said it has been hard, but gratifying, work. The validation came at a good time.  

“I was having a few rough days because of the end of the semester and the workload,” he said, recalling when he learned of the award. “This came at a great time to boost my energy back and remind me about the reason I do what I do.”

The timing, he said, is also good for the program.

“We’re in the middle of running a capital campaign to create permanent, modern facilities for agricultural teaching, research and innovation,” he said. “Hopefully, it will encourage more partners to chime in and contribute to the program.”

Dundore-Arias said it’s important to recognize that such things don’t happen in a vacuum. 

“This award is recognition of the work that I’ve done, not by myself, but with the community,” he said. “For me, the importance is the motivation and impact it can have for my students. We’re doing great things and people are watching.”

The award comes with a $2,000 stipend to be used for improving the educational experience of students.

Dundore-Arias said he plans to attend the award ceremony, Nov.15-17, in San Antonio, Texas, where CSUMB will be the smallest school represented among the awardees. 

“I’ll definitely be hanging out with the big dogs,” he said. “Maybe I’ll even get the chance to shake the [USDA] secretary’s hand.”