Professor Honored for Outstanding Dedication to Teaching
Jacquelyn Childs || August 11, 2025
Dr. Clarena Larrotta received the 2025 Everette Swinney Faculty Senate Excellence in Teaching Award from Texas State University’s Faculty Senate in recognition of her work and accomplishments in the Department of Counseling Leadership, Adult Education and School Psychology (CLAS).
The annual award focuses almost exclusively on teaching as opposed to other faculty awards that include scholarship, research, publication, or administration.
Larrotta, a professor in CLAS, received her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Texas –Austin. She’s been with the department at Texas State University for 19 years, received tenure in 2012 and was promoted to professor in 2018.
“Becoming a recipient of this award is humbling and a great honor,” said Larrotta. “This award is recognition for 19 years of dedicated service at Texas State University and acknowledges the impact of my teaching on graduate students and the community.”
A professor in master’s and doctoral programs in Adult, Professional, and Community Education, Larrotta has received several honors and recognitions for her outstanding efforts over the years including the 2020 Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2022 Mariel M. Muir Excellence in Mentoring Award, 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Quindío in Columbia, the 2024 Service-Learning Excellence Recognition, and 2024 Alpha Chi Favorite Professor.
Her outstanding record demonstrates Larrotta’s dedication and passion for the classroom and her students.
“Teaching is a fulfilling profession for me,” she said. “I forget about everything when I am in the classroom or working with my dissertation students. I get lost in ideas, projects, and learning. I love learning with my students.”