UTEP Computer Science Professor Honored with Prestigious Statewide Teaching Award
EL PASO, Texas (May 1, 2025) – Martine C. Ceberio, Ph.D., professor of computer science at The University of Texas at El Paso, has been named a Piper Professor for 2025, one of the highest honors for educators in Texas.
The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation announced Ceberio among ten recipients of the prestigious award on May 1, recognizing her exceptional dedication to teaching and mentoring. Established in 1958, the Piper Professor Award honors outstanding college professors across Texas annually.
"This honor reflects the deep commitment I've always felt toward my students' success and my passion for computer science education," said Ceberio. "Throughout my career at UTEP, I've strived to create learning environments that challenge students and reignite their joy of learning, while providing the support they need to achieve their full potential.”
Ceberio, who also serves as the associate dean for people, culture, and environment in UTEP’s College of Engineering, joined the University in 2003. Her research centers on reliable decision-making under uncertainty, optimization and the solution of large dynamical systems affected by uncertainty. She has applied her work across a range of fields, including network security, biomedical engineering, and mechanical and software engineering.
Beyond her research accomplishments, Ceberio has played a key role in developing and redesigning computer science curricula at UTEP and advancing efforts to expand access to computing education, particularly for women and historically underserved communities.
“Martine exemplifies the highest ideals of academic excellence and leadership,” said Kenith Meissner, Ph.D., dean of UTEP's College of Engineering. “Her recognition as a 2025 Piper Professor reflects not only her outstanding teaching and research, but also her commitment to access and student empowerment. For over two decades, she has transformed the educational experience at UTEP – reshaping curricula, mentoring the next generation of scholars, and expanding opportunities for historically underrepresented groups in computing. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-earned award.”
As part of her efforts to expand participation in computer science, Ceberio founded UTEP’s Association for Computing Machinery’s Women in Computing (ACM-W) student chapter in 2012. She also coordinated the El Paso regional competition for the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing awards and led a Google-funded program aimed at introducing undergraduate women to computing research. In 2018, she participated in Google’s Faculty in Residence program and later served as a mentor for future cohorts. Since 2024, she has co-led UTEP’s Student Experience Project, an initiative focused on enhancing students’ academic success and overall university experience.
Each college and university in Texas may submit only one nominee annually for the Piper Professor Award. Selection is made based on nominations, with recipients chosen from both two-year and four-year institutions, both public and private. Awardees receive a $5,000 honorarium with the recognition.
About The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 25,000 students are Hispanic, and more than half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 171 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
Last Updated on May 01, 2025 at 12:00 AM | Originally published May 01, 2025
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
