Priti Shah, professor of information at University of Michigan School of Information, has been named an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to undergraduate education. 

"Priti Shah has a passion for cognitive and educational psychology that she brings to her teaching in ways that excite and inspire her students,” says Thomas Finholt, Dean of the School of Information. “She is a brilliant instructor and is deserving of recognition among the best at the University of Michigan through her selection as a Thurnau Professor.” 

The Thurnau Professorships were established in 1998 and recognize and reward faculty for a strong commitment to teaching and learning, excellence and innovation in teaching, and dedication to working effectively with a diverse student body.

Each year, five tenured faculty members from the Ann Arbor campus are designated as Thurnau Professors and hold this title for the remainder of their careers at U-M. They receive a $20,000 grant to support activities that will enhance their teaching. The Thurnau Professorships are named after Arthur F. Thurnau, a student at the University of Michigan from 1902 to 1904, and are supported by the Thurnau Charitable Trust. 

"I believe undergraduate education is the core mission of any university," says Shah. "Michigan students are smart, passionate, and ready to take on the world!"  She adds that it is inspiring to working with undergraduates and "it is an honor to help them develop knowledge and skills to help them along the way."

“Priti is the third faculty member affiliated with UMSI to be selected as a Thurnau Professor," says Finholt. "I am excited about this visibility and the inspiration it will provide across our undergraduate program." 

"I'm really grateful to have my contributions to undergraduate education recognized by my colleagues," Shah says. 

In addition to teaching UMSI students, professor Shah also has appointments in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts and the School of Education, and is a faculty associate for the Institute for Social Research. She joins four other awardees: Bart M. Bartlett, Amy G. Chavasse, Shanna Daly, and Amy Stillman. 

—Sarah Derouin, UMSI public relations specialist

Learn more about the Arthur F. Thurnau Professorships.

Learn more about Priti Shah.