Inspiring Colleague Award 2026

Inspiring Colleague Award Recipient - Muhammad Ashfaq

Dr. Stacy Duffield, director of the NDSU Office of Teaching and Learning, presented the Inspiring Colleague Award to Muhammad Ashfaq at the Teaching and Learning Conference on Tuesday, May 19. Ashfaq, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was nominated by five individuals for the award.

Nominators consistently praised his humility, inclusivity, kindness, generosity, and respect for all students. One nominator said Ashfaq deserves the award for “his tireless willingness to help, his combination of academic and personal mentorship, and his deep commitment to humanity.” Another nominator wrote, “many of us credit him with helping us avoid early mistakes and gain the confidence to participate fully in our programs.”

Muhammad Ashfaq is an example of the impact one individual can have on the lives of numerous colleagues.

The Inspiring Colleague Award is presented annually by the Office of Teaching and Learning to celebrate educational innovation and collegiality.