Mike Gustin is known for transforming large lecture courses into close-knit learning communities. A professor of biosciences, he’s widely recognized for learning every student’s name in his introductory class and inviting them to lunch to connect beyond the classroom.
Gustin co-created Rice’s Student Taught Course program; teaches Monster, an interdisciplinary class that blends science, literature and the arts; and is a creative educator who experiments with ways to deepen engagement and make learning more personal. For example, students in his introductory biology course can now create a podcast — an in-depth, collaborative project analyzing recent research — instead of taking a final exam.
Gustin’s approach emphasizes growth and reflection by recognizing steady improvement and reinforcing effort and persistence. It’s earned him a Minnie Steves Piper Professorship and the George R. Brown Prize for Excellence in Teaching. His work exemplifies the energy, care and creativity that define exceptional teaching at Rice.
