Regents' Teachers
What is a Regents' Teacher?
The Regents' Teacher Award is an annual honor bestowed by the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System (TSUS) to recognize exceptional educators from TSUS member institutions. Awardees are selected based on their outstanding teaching performance, contributions to curriculum development, and innovative teaching methods. In recognition of their achievements, Regents' Teachers receive a commemorative medallion, a board resolution, a $5,000 cash award, and the Regents' Teacher title, which they retain for the duration of their service within TSUS.
For more information, visit the TSUS Regents' Teacher Awards.
Year Awarded: 2024
Cindy Royal, Ph.D.
Regents’ Teacher and Professor
Dr. Cindy Royal has taught at Texas State since 2006, specializing in digital and data-driven media. She holds a Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication from The University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on data journalism, coding education, and gender issues in technology.
She was a 2014 Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University, the first full-time academic admitted to the program. She has received multiple teaching awards, including the Regents' Teacher Award (2024), Everette Swinney Faculty Senate Excellence in Teaching Award (2023), Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching (2013), and AEJMC/Scripps Howard Journalism Teacher of the Year (2014).
Dr. Royal is the founding director of the Media Innovation Lab and has contributed to shaping the major of Digital Media Innovation. Her work has been published in Journalism Studies, Digital Journalism, and Media and Communication, and she has secured National Science Foundation grants for advancing AI curriculum and STEM education.
Beyond academia, she enjoys live music, breakfast tacos, and travel. More details about her research and work can be found at cindyroyal.com.
Year Awarded: 2023
Jon Zmikly
Regents’ Teacher and Professor of Instruction
Jon Zmikly teaches digital fundamentals, web design, advanced coding, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and digital media innovations. He is the Assistant Director of Texas State University’s Media Innovation Lab and faculty advisor for the Innovation Club, where students engage with cutting-edge technology through workshops and industry events.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University in 2006, then moved to Texas for a Master’s in Media Studies at Texas State University, graduating in 2009. He has also worked as a freelancer, web developer, and media director.
Zmikly has received multiple teaching awards, including the Regents' Teacher Award (2023), the Texas State Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching (2022), and the Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching (2019). He has contributed to social media strategy, content creation, and website management for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and has secured grants for digital media education and innovation.
Beyond academia, he serves as an associate pastor and media director at San Marcos Community Church and continues to develop web and media projects for various organizations.
Year Awarded: 2022
Michael Devlin, Ph.D.
Regents’ Teacher and Professor
Dr. Mike Devlin holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Alabama and an M.A. and B.A. from Texas Tech University. Before academia, he worked as a media designer and multimedia specialist in Austin, Texas.
His research focuses on how team and fan identity, media consumption, and personality traits influence advertising, sponsorships, branding, and endorsements. He has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications, 50 conference presentations, and multiple book chapters, including Creative Thinking & Concepting in Advertising. His work has been published in top academic journals, including the Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media and the International Journal of Sport Communication.
As advisor for Texas State’s National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) team, he has helped secure three district championships and two national runner-up awards. His teaching awards include the Texas State Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching (2021), the Regents' Teacher Award (2022), and the College of Fine Arts and Communication Presidential Distinction Award in Research (2020).
His grants and research projects have been funded by organizations such as the International Olympic Committee and the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, furthering insights into media, sports communication, and advertising effectiveness.
Year Awarded: 2017
David Nolan, Ph.D.
Regents’ Teacher and Professor of Practice
Since 2003, Dr. David Nolan has taught courses in visual communication, media design, user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, media product strategy, photojournalism, digital video production, and online media. He earned his Ph.D. in Education from Texas State in 2012.
Before academia, he had a 24-year career as a U.S. Air Force combat photographer, covering military operations and historical events worldwide, including the Cold War, Desert Storm, and post-9/11 conflicts in Afghanistan. As Director of Photography for Airman Magazine, he led teams across Washington, D.C., Japan, and Germany. His award-winning work appeared in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Life, and National Geographic.
Dr. Nolan has received numerous teaching awards, including the Texas State Alumni Association Teaching Award of Honor (2020), the Regents' Teacher Award (2018), and the National Press Photographers Association Robin F. Garland Educator Award (2015). He has also been instrumental in developing drone journalism, digital storytelling, and visual communication education at Texas State.