Photos of Rich, Frederic, Ziad, and Junrui.

UCSB Computer Science Celebrates 2026 Academic Senate Award Recipients

The Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara, is proud to celebrate a remarkable group of faculty and a PhD student who have been recognized with prestigious Academic Senate awards for 2026. 

This year’s award recipients are:

  • Rich Wolski – Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

  • Frederic Gibou – Distinguished Teaching Award

  • Ziad Matni – Distinguished Teaching Award

  • Junrui Liu – Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award

Professor Rich Wolski has been recognized with the Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award for his strong and consistent support of graduate students, helping them grow as researchers, educators, and professionals. Professor Frederic Gibou received the Distinguished Teaching Award for his clear and engaging teaching, making complex topics approachable and connecting theory to real-world applications in ways that build students’ confidence and independence. Professor Ziad Matni was also honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award, reflecting his commitment to clear instruction, thoughtful engagement, and helping students develop both technical skills and critical thinking. Junrui Liu has been awarded the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for going above and beyond in supporting undergraduate students and contributing positively to the learning environment. These recognitions highlight the department’s strong focus on teaching, mentorship, and student success.

Related People
Frederic G. Gibou
Ziad Matni
Rich Wolski