The Big 12 Conference introduced its inaugural Big 12 Faculty of the Year Award, celebrating faculty across its 16 institutions who have excelled in innovation, research, and education.

According to Jenn Hunter, Big 12 Chief Impact Officer, academic success is central to the Big 12’s mission, driven by educators who enhance education and innovation within their institutions.

Kansas State University Creative Writing Professor Dr. Traci Brimhall earned the Faculty of the Year Award in the English & Creative Writing Discipline. Dr. Brimhall teaches with an emphasis on poetry.  Along with her teaching, she has authored five different collections of poetry, with works appearing in The New Yorker, The New Republic, Best American Poetry 2013 & 2014, and more. Additionally, she is a Poet Laureate of Kansas.

Faculty honorees were nominated by their institutions with input from Faculty Athletics Representatives, Provosts, and other university leaders.

The award serves to honor current faculty and inspire future students to join Big 12 institutions, highlighting the impact of academic excellence across the conference.