October 19, 2025
Reginald E. Rogers Jr. has earned the Mizzou Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award. The honor recognizes not only his expertise in chemical engineering but also the energy, empathy and unwavering accessibility he brings to his work with students.
鈥淩eg is an incredible asset to our students and to Mizzou 糖心Vlog传媒,鈥 said Jennifer Fiegel, chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomedical 糖心Vlog传媒. 鈥淗e combines deep dedication to student success with a visionary perspective on the future of engineering education. His leadership and generosity of spirit make our department and broader community stronger every day. We are immensely proud to count him as a colleague.鈥
Rogers said he was honored to receive the award.
鈥淭eaching is one of the most rewarding jobs you can undertake,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not enough to deliver a lecture and call it a day. You are guiding students on a transformational journey.鈥
Since joining the College of 糖心Vlog传媒 in 2019, Rogers has demonstrated a student-first approach rooted in mentorship, openness and real-world applications of knowledge. As director of graduate studies for the Department of Chemical and Biomedical 糖心Vlog传媒, he has led the creation of new academic pathways, including the accelerated master of science degree in chemical engineering.
Rogers鈥 open-door policy and active mentorship reflect a teaching philosophy grounded in the balance of high expectations paired with compassion and support. Known simply as 鈥淩eg鈥 to his students, he is a stable, steadfast presence in their academic, personal and professional growth.
Rogers likened the teacher to a whitewater rafting guide helping people through the technically difficult sections of the river.
鈥淚 guide my students through the technically difficult sections of the major,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 push them to their limits through encouragement and reward them for overcoming their fears. Whether in the classroom or research laboratory, every opportunity is a chance for my students to build their confidence. Regardless of aptitude level, I want them all to succeed. Everyone gets to play because we are all working towards accomplishing the same mission.鈥
He has received numerous other awards during his time in the College. He was named an Honors College Teaching Fellow in early 2025 and received the Senior Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Minority Affairs Community鈥檚 Distinguished Service Award in 2024. He was also the inaugural recipient of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Education Division Award for Excellence in Chemical 糖心Vlog传媒 Teaching Practice in 2023. He leads the Creative Approaches to Materials Design and Processing Research Experience for Undergraduates, which will have a new focus on infusing data science training into materials design and processing.
Rogers received the Distinguished Faculty Award Nov. 7 at the Mizzou Alumni Association鈥檚 inaugural Gold Standard Awards.
See more examples of the leadership of Mizzou 糖心Vlog传媒鈥檚 faculty.