Excellence in Teaching, 2025
College of Liberal Arts
Tom Alsip, assistant professor of theatre and dance, exemplifies pedagogical innovation, student-centered mentorship, and unwavering dedication to the craft of teaching. Beginning his time at UNH during the challenging period of COVID-era instruction, which was particularly difficult in his discipline of musical theatre, Alsip quickly established himself as an exceptional educator, inspiring his students with resilience, creativity, and compassion.
Alsip’s teaching evaluations consistently reflect his extraordinary impact, with glowing reviews in courses for majors and non-majors alike. His classes combine the utmost professional rigor with a nurturing atmosphere that empowers students to take artistic risks. Students frequently cite his classes as the most transformative experiences of their academic careers and commend him for the ways he prepares them for careers in the performing arts.
Beyond the classroom, Alsip redesigned the musical theatre curriculum to better integrate musicianship, acting, and dance, and has also spearheaded vital professional enrichment initiatives. He reimagined the New York City [Theatre] Showcase and leads annual student trips to the Southeastern Theatre Conference, efforts that directly launch students into meaningful professional careers.
Colleagues and students praise his deep industry knowledge, joyful classroom presence, and extraordinary mentorship. Through innovative teaching, program leadership, and exemplary collegiality, Alsip has transformed UNH’s musical theatre program and continues to recruit and inspire new cohorts of artists.
About this Award
Each year, the University selects a small number of its outstanding faculty for special recognition of their achievements in teaching, scholarship, and service. Awards for Excellence in Teaching are given in each college and school, and University-wide awards recognize public service, research, teaching, and engagement.
