By Javier Chagoya

Assistant Professor Naazneen Barma with NPS' Department of National Security Affairs was selected as the 2014 Academic Year recipient of the Rear Adm. John Jay Schieffelin Award for Teaching Excellence, May 27. An awards committee of six senior NPS colleagues selected Barma after the evaluation of some 631 student and alumni responses gleaned from a poll taken last Spring.

"It is an amazing feeling to be recognized specifically by my students for my teaching," said Barma. "I really love teaching, and this is a rewarding sign for me that I'm doing it in a way that resonates with the students. The honor also makes me want to work hard to ensure that I continue to be a good teacher going forward."

Barma is highly regarded as an expert in her field of political economy and economics and has published widely on the subjects. Prior to coming to NPS, she worked for six years as a development practitioner at the World Bank.

"I teach political economy and economics which can be abstract and dry at times. In order to encourage students to participate in discussions and engage with theory, I make an effort to draw connections to contemporary issues," explained Barma. "I also try to emphasize the policy implications of the material we cover. In short, I try to make the material as real and tangible for the students as I can."

Barma has been teaching at NPS for five years. She was previously nominated for the Schieffelin Award and was recognized for placing in the top five percent of nominees during polling in 2011 and 2012.