University of Richmond Economics Professor Awarded VFIC Award For Excellence in Teaching Technology
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Saif Mehkari, professor of economics, has been awarded the 2025 Harris Award for Excellence in Instructional Technology from the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.
The Excellence in Instructional Technology Award is presented to a faculty member who shows innovation in integrating technology into their undergraduate teaching practices. One faculty member is awarded across VFIC institutions, which includes 17 traditional independent liberal arts colleges in Virginia. The recipient receives a monetary award to support their future research or professional development.
Mehkari was recognized for the ways he improves educational technology access across the UR community. In partnership with Andrew Bell and Ryan Cales in UR’s Faculty Hub and Bobby Paxton in Information Services, he recently developed SpiderAI, an app that provides campus-wide free access to ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude.
“As both a builder and a teacher, Saif has demonstrated a rare ability to identify emerging instructional technologies, evaluate their pedagogical potential, and translate them into accessible tools and frameworks,” said Joan Saab, executive vice president and provost. “His contributions reflect not only his technical expertise but also his deep commitment to students.”
In addition, Mehkari regularly leverages his technology skills to develop custom solutions for classes and faculty. Examples include hosting an AI workshop for UR faculty; creating programs that allow students to simulate economic models; developing Python packages that incorporate computational methods into his courses; and creating a smart advising system that allows mathematical economics majors and faculty to design customized four-year plans.
Mehkari, who has taught at UR since 2011, also serves as the founding co-director of Endeavor RSB, the Robins School of Business's premier living and learning program, and is the co-coordinator of the mathematical economics program.
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