Weatherford, OK — Dr. Tugba Sevin, Professor of Italian and Spanish at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), has been named a finalist for the 2026 Oklahoma Medal for Excellence in the Regional University/Community College Teaching category, one of the most prestigious honors awarded to public educators in Oklahoma.

Selected through a rigorous statewide review process, Sevin was recognized for her innovative teaching, sustained commitment to student success, and transformative leadership in higher education. The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence leaders noted that the margin between the recipient and finalist was exceptionally close, underscoring the distinction of Sevin’s accomplishments among the state’s top educators.

Sevin joined SWOSU in 2014 and established the World Languages program. She has since developed and implemented 10 online and face-to-face courses in Italian and Spanish, expanding access to language education and modernizing curriculum delivery. She serves as the World Languages Coordinator, sponsors the World Languages and Cultures Association and HALO, and leads the university’s chapters of Alpha Mu Gamma National Foreign Language Honor Society and Gamma Kappa Alpha National Italian Honor Society. She also coordinates the language lab to support immersive learning and academic assistance for students.

Sevin is currently serving as Co-Chair of the 38th Annual Alpha Mu Gamma National Foreign Language Honor Society Convention, which will be held at SWOSU on March 5–7. This event marks the first time a national honor society convention has been hosted at the university.

Her work has received statewide recognition in recent years. In 2025, Sevin received the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award in teaching from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, becoming the first SWOSU faculty member to earn the honor. In 2024, she was selected as a DaVinci Fellow for her innovative contributions to teaching and learning, also a first for the university.

The Oklahoma Medal for Excellence honors educators whose passion, creativity, and leadership have a measurable impact on student learning. “Being named a finalist is a significant accomplishment and a testament to the impact of your work as an educator,” said Elizabeth Inbody, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Finalists represent the very top tier of educators across the state and are honored at the annual Academic Awards Celebration at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

Through her dedication to global education, mentorship, and program development, Sevin continues to strengthen opportunities for students and elevate world language education at SWOSU and across Oklahoma.

To learn more about the World Languages program at SWOSU, visit www.swosu.edu/undergraduate/language-literature/world-languages.php.

About Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) was founded in 1901 and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across three locations in Weatherford, Sayre, and Yukon. The university serves over 5,000 scholars and prides itself on affordability, small class sizes, and over 200 faculty and staff committed to helping students achieve their academic and personal goals.

For more information about Southwestern Oklahoma State University, visit www.swosu.edu.

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