Dengge (Grace) Jin Receives Spring 2026 Outstanding TA Award

Dengge (Grace) Jin has received the Spring 2026 Outstanding Teaching Assistant (TA) Award in Mechanical Engineering in recognition of her contributions to MEAM 3210, Dynamic Systems and Control. The award recognizes a graduate student whose dedication, initiative and teaching excellence have significantly enhanced the learning experience of mechanical engineering students.

Jin served as a TA for MEAM 3210 for the second time in Spring 2026, taking a leading role in developing recitation and homework content and supporting students throughout the course.

“I have never worked with someone with more initiative,” wrote Jordan Raney, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics (MEAM), in his nomination letter. “Whenever I asked her for help, whether to construct improved homework problems, to try new approaches in recitation, to communicate exam information to students, or just about anything else, Dengge had invariably already performed the action I was about to ask her to do.”

Raney also highlighted Jin’s commitment to making course material accessible and relevant to students. Her recitations were popular for their clarity and connections to real-world engineering problems, while her support frequently extended beyond scheduled class time. Students told Raney that Jin regularly extended office hours when additional help was needed and scheduled extra meetings upon request.

“Her consistent self-motivation, organization and initiative” allowed Jin to take the lead on developing new recitation and homework content, Raney wrote. “I believe that Dengge’s performance as a TA is at or above the performance of our very best TAs.”

The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award in Mechanical Engineering recognizes the important role teaching assistants play in supporting undergraduate education and enriching the student experience. As this year’s recipient, she will receive a $500 prize and recognition on her official academic transcript.