Dr. Carlos Asarta, associate professor of practice in economics at the UNL College of Business Administration, was awarded the Association of the Students of the University of Nebraska (ASUN) Outstanding Educator of the Year Award for large classes at the ASUN new student government installation on April 3 at the Wick Alumni Center.
UNL students voted using write-in ballots to recognize outstanding professors teaching small and large classes in the ASUN elections on March 6.
Asarta, who is originally from Toledo, Spain, received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from CBA, and now teaches Principles of Macro and Microeconomics and Intermediate Microeconomic Theory courses.
“It is great to know students value the work I do in the classroom,” Asarta says. “I am honored to have received this award for the second time in four years.”
In 2009, Asarta also won this award in the large class category, which honors professors teaching courses with 60 students or more. He attributes these two honors to interacting with students in a way that does not change with class size.
Carlos Asarta at CBA
“I personally feel ‘at home’ in front of students, so the size of the classroom does not make a difference to me,” he states.
He believes his students appreciate his passion for teaching and genuine interest in their education and futures.
“Everything I do in the classroom is designed to improve their understanding of economics and make them better students,” says Asarta. “Every example is carefully chosen; every problem has a purpose and every second is utilized to learn.”
His active commitment to students and economic education has been recognized by other university awards. He was recently awarded his fifth certificate of recognition for contributions to students by the UNL Teaching Council and UNL Parents Association. He has been recognized nearly every year during his time at the college.
Published: April 17, 2013