Since joining the Beloit College faculty in 2014, Dr. Rachel Bergstrom has distinguished herself as a gifted and deeply dedicated educator. Her classrooms are spaces of intellectual challenge, inclusive community, and contagious energy. Students routinely describe her ability to make complex scientific material accessible and engaging, and they speak just as often of how seen and supported they feel under her instruction. Her emphasis on mutual respect and collaboration creates an environment where students are empowered to learn, take risks, and grow.

Dr. Bergstrom’s teaching excellence extends well beyond individual courses. As Director of the School of Health Sciences, she has reimagined what science education can look like at Beloit—developing innovative curricula, fostering community partnerships, and leading the launch of a new nursing degree program in collaboration with Edgewood College. Her work bridges rigorous academic training with real-world preparation, ensuring students are not only learning but thriving.

For her dynamic teaching, her boundless enthusiasm, and her transformative impact on students’ lives, we are proud to recognize Dr. Rachel Bergstrom with the 2024–2025 James R. Underkofler Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.