Kasey Leigh Yearty, an assistant teaching professor in Rice University’s Department of Chemistry, has been named the 2025 recipient of the George R. Brown Prize for Excellence in Teaching, the university’s highest teaching honor.
Selected based on alumni votes, the award distinguishes one faculty member each year for outstanding impact in the classroom. Yearty was recognized alongside nine other professors who received the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching as announced by the Center for Teaching Excellence.
“To be able to celebrate this award with my colleagues is a wonderful feeling,” Yearty said. “We’ve worked so hard to create an inviting space for students, especially in organic chemistry, a subject often seen as intimidating. Helping students see themselves succeeding in such a challenging subject has been deeply rewarding.”
Since arriving at Rice in 2019, Yearty has taught core chemistry courses, including Organic Chemistry I and II, advanced laboratories and undergraduate research classes. She credits Rice’s collaborative academic environment and highly motivated students with helping shape her teaching approach.
“Rice has the best students in the world,” said Yearty, who earned her doctorate at the University of Georgia. “They’re eager to embrace new challenges, and their willingness to experiment with fresh teaching strategies keeps the classroom dynamic, allowing us to continuously refine our approach to enhance learning.”
As a resident associate at Sid Richardson College mentoring students in their day-to-day campus life, Yearty said she values the opportunity to witness the students’ personal growth and considers the experience meaningful to her teaching responsibilities. “Being able to live among the students and see them grow outside of the classroom is incredibly rewarding,” she said.
Yearty also directs Rice Fun with Chemistry, an outreach program funded by the Welch Foundation. Under her guidance, the initiative has brought chemistry demonstrations and hands-on activities to more than 31,000 students in the Houston area, providing local youth with early exposure to science and college role models.
Originally from Macon, Georgia, Yearty said she never expected her path to lead to Texas. But Rice’s supportive culture, dedicated faculty and exceptional students convinced her to take the leap. As she reflects on that journey, her focus remains on the future.
“There’s always more we can do to support students,” she said. “This recognition motivates me to keep improving and shaping a classroom where students not only learn but thrive.”