Jim Adams Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
With the intent of promoting and recognizing excellence in undergraduate teaching in Economics at the University of Michigan, the Jim Adams Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching was established in 2024 in honor of Professor Jim Adams.
Awarded annually, the Department Chair of Economics will name a faculty member for this award with input from students, faculty, staff, and evidence from student evaluations, as well as the depth, breadth and originality of their undergraduate course design.
For even-numbered years, the recipient is required to have been in their position for at least seven years. Additionally, they will have achieved sustained excellence in undergraduate teaching, and have been a source of sustained inspiration to a broad array of their students.
For odd-numbered years, the recipient is required to have been in their position for less than seven years. Alongside having shown the ability to inspire a wide spectrum of their students, they will have demonstrated an early commitment to, and exceptional promise in undergraduate teaching.
During the Department’s commencement ceremony, held in Crisler Arena, the recipient will be named and recognized to celebrate and honor the recipient in front of a large and relevant audience, including the graduating seniors who have been positively influenced by the recipient.
2026 Recipient
Asenka (Asja) Asenova received the third Jim Adams Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in May 2026. Dr. Asenova, Lecturer IV, joined the University of Michigan Department of Economics in 2015. She teaches several undergraduate and master's courses in probability theory, statistical inference, and econometrics. In addition to her teaching, she serves as an undergraduate advisor for the Economics major and is a member of the Master of Applied Economics program committee. Dr. Asenova earned her Ph.D. in Economics, specializing in labor economics and econometrics, from Michigan State University in 2015. She also holds a master's degree in economics from the Central European University and an M.B.A. from the University of National and World Economy in Bulgaria. Her research interests lie at the intersection of labor and health economics.
Students consistently praise Professor Asenova for her exceptional teaching, describing her as an outstanding instructor who combines expertise with genuine kindness. They commend her clear and engaging teaching style, thoughtful course organization, and ability to make challenging econometrics and statistics concepts approachable through practical examples and real-world applications. Students also highlight her patience, accessibility, and unwavering commitment to their success, both inside and outside the classroom. Congratulations to Professor Asenova for her outstanding dedication to undergraduate education and for this well-deserved recognition!
