WSSU professor Eric Gréaux named recipient of UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Eric Gréaux, associate professor of religious studies at Winston-Salem State University, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Award for Excellence in Teaching, one of the highest teaching honors presented by the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors.
The Board of Governors announced Feb. 16 that 17 faculty members representing all 16 public universities in the UNC System and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics were selected for the honor. Faculty members were nominated by committees at their home institutions and chosen by the board’s Committee on Educational Planning, Policies and Programs.
“These extraordinary faculty reflect the best of our university system,” Board of Governors Chair Wendy Murphy said in a statement. “They have dedicated their lives to mentoring and inspiring our students, and we celebrate their contributions.”
Gréaux, who has taught at WSSU since 2007, said the recognition reflects the collaborative spirit of the university community.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this award,” Gréaux said. “It means a lot to be recognized for my work, and I am grateful for the students, colleagues and Ramily community who make this journey possible. This recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence in teaching and supporting my students’ success.”
Widely recognized for his commitment to mentorship and classroom innovation, Gréaux emphasizes active and experiential learning in courses such as World Religions, Christianity, Eastern Religions, New Religious Movements, the Bible and the Black Church.
“I recognize that not all students learn the same way,” he said. “My aim is to get them as active as possible in the learning process. Experiential learning allows students to gain what William James described as ‘knowledge of acquaintance,’ learning through direct experience rather than simply learning about a subject.”
Gréaux regularly incorporates site visits to churches, mosques and temples, giving students opportunities to encounter religious traditions firsthand.
“These guided experiences allow students to learn in a natural environment,” he said. “Today’s students are visual and tactile learners and engaging directly with communities helps them connect classroom knowledge to real-world understanding.”
WSSU Chancellor Bonita Brown praised Gréaux’s impact on students and the broader campus community. “We congratulate Dr. Gréaux for being honored with the Board of Governors award,” Brown said. “His impassioned teaching, broad scholarship, community outreach and mentoring of students demonstrates his dedication to helping our students develop cultural literacy and critical thinking skills that will empower them to pursue rewarding careers upon graduation.”
Each recipient will receive a commemorative bronze medallion, a $12,500 cash prize and will be recognized at their respective campuses at a later date.
Gréaux previously received the university’s Wells Fargo Excellence in Teaching Award for the 2020–2021 academic year and the Wilma Lassiter Master Teacher Award in 2019. He also recently revived the James A. Gray Lecture Series, which has hosted nationally recognized scholars and featured collaborative programs such as the “Singing the Scriptures with HBCU Choirs” concert.
He earned a doctorate in New Testament and early Christian origins from Duke University, a master’s degree in theological studies from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree in biblical and theological studies from Gordon College. In addition to his academic work, he is active in professional organizations including the American Academy of Religion and the Evangelical Theological Society and remains engaged in ministry and community leadership.
