Two CDIS assistant professors—Kris Sankaran of the Department of Statistics and Jacob Thebault-Spieker of the Information School—have received the 2025 College of Letters & Science (L&S) Distinguished Honors Faculty Award for the significant positive impact they have made on their students’ experiences at UW–Madison.
Each year, students nominate faculty members who have stood out as exemplary instructors of Honors-designated courses, mentors of Honors projects, or as supervisors of Honors research experiences. A committee of faculty then reviews these nominations and votes to confer Distinguished Honors Faculty status on the strongest nominees for these awards.
Meet the winners
Assistant Professor Kris Sankaran, Statistics
Sankaran leads a lab that develops tools for analyzing complex biological and environmental data, and he brings these cutting-edge methods into his teaching.
According to a student who nominated him, Sankaran “poses thoughtful questions, encourages discussion, and lets students engage intellectually before explaining concepts. For my honors credit project, Professor Sankaran recommended articles based on my interests. Although the topic was unfamiliar to me, he supported my learning throughout the process. He consistently encourages research that is meaningful and practical, shaping how I think about the purpose of my work. His patient, supportive mentorship and clear passion for research and teaching have made a lasting impression on me.”
The student added: “I see in him the kind of scholar I hope to become—collaborative, thoughtful, and committed to serving the academic community.”
Assistant Professor Jacob Thebault-Spieker, Information School
Professor Thebault-Spieker studies Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), including how people interact with technology and each other within online communities. He teaches The Information Society (LIS 201) as well as Introduction to HCI (CS 570) and helps students see how technology affects individuals and society.
One student said Thebault-Spieker helped turn a class project into something much bigger:
“Professor Thebault-Spieker is a great example of what it means to be a dedicated and inspiring honors mentor. When I approached him about completing an Honors project for CS 570, he was genuinely excited to help me shape something meaningful. He encouraged me to find value in the work and focus on gaining real-world experience, rather than just completing the project for the sake of honors credit.”
The student continued: “Through several one-on-one meetings, he helped me narrow my focus and design a project that aligned with both my academic interests and long-term goals. His mentorship has deeply enriched my Honors experience and helped me see the broader impact of HCI work beyond the classroom.”
CDIS faculty like Thebault-Spieker and Sankaran empower students to more deeply understand how data and information shape the world. The pair joins Computer Sciences Assistant Professor Rahul Chatterjee, who was honored with the same award in 2024, as recent L&S Distinguished Honors Faculty from CDIS.
Congratulations to Kris Sankaran and Jacob-Thebault Spieker!
Meet all of the 2025 L&S Distinguished Honors Faculty Award winners.