Regina Haag Receives PTK Faculty Excellence in Service Award

The PTK award recognizes faculty that demonstrate excellence in teaching, research and service.

By Lauren Hargrave

The School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (SLLC) is proud to announce that German studies faculty member Regina Haag has received the Provost’s Excellence Award for Professional Track Faculty (PTK) for her outstanding contributions and accomplishments in service. The PTK Excellence Awards were established by the provost to recognize professional track faculty members for consistently making excellent contributions in core academic areas: teaching, research and service. Haag received the service award by demonstrating commitment to student success, curricular innovation and community engagement.

In addition to teaching for the German studies program, she also serves as an undergraduate advisor and acts as the liaison for the Language House and the Language Partner Program. Since becoming a PTK faculty member in 2015, Haag has held a number of important roles in the German studies program that have had a profoundly positive impact on student success; she has served as an instructor, teaching assistant (TA) supervisor, language coordinator, undergraduate program director and undergraduate academic advisor. 

According to Hester Baer, German studies professor and former program head, Haag is widely recognized by students and colleagues for her dedication, and goes above and beyond in mentoring undergraduates, often on evenings and weekends, connecting them with scholarships, internships and international opportunities tailored to their goals. 

“Regina’s professionalism and tireless efforts on behalf of the program have not only contributed to our success, but have also helped sustain German studies as a vibrant community of engaged learners,” shared Baer.

Over her time with SLLC, Haag has introduced new courses such as Business German, and led creative courses that blend language learning with career preparation and cultural enrichment. Her leadership extends beyond the university as well; as president of the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) MD/DC Metro Chapter, she has organized regional workshops, professional development events and advocacy efforts to promote German language instruction across K-12 and higher education.

Mel Scullen, director of SLLC, said, “Haag has a remarkable record of dedicated service to the German studies program, the University of Maryland and the broader community of German language teachers. I congratulate Haag on this accomplishment and am grateful for her continued efforts.”

Haag shared that she is “humbled and honored” to receive this Provost’s Excellence Award and that she is thankful for the many students and colleagues who inspire her work every day.