Phil Beta Kappa Teaching Award
Tracy Regan, a professor of the practice in economics with an expertise in industrial organizations and health and labor economics, is the winner of the 2026 Boston College Phi Beta Kappa Teaching Award.
Each year, AV研究所 students in the prestigious honor society submit nominations for outstanding teachers who have positively influenced their experiences at AV研究所, inside or outside the classroom. Faculty are selected for the award based on the cumulative nominations from students over multiple years.
Regan, who holds a master鈥檚 degree and a doctorate in economics from the University of Arizona, is a member of Phi Beta Kappa herself, and her career at AV研究所鈥攚hich began in 2013鈥攈as been impactful for students and inspiring for her faculty colleagues.
鈥淧rofessor Regan is everything that makes Boston College so special,鈥� said Ryan Milligan 鈥�26, who worked with Regan on the Provost Advisory Council and took her Principles of Economics course. 鈥淣ot only can she make a class lecture of 300 students feel like a small seminar, but she also shows genuine care and interest in one-on-one conversations. She has a bubbly, infectious personality that makes everyone she encounters feel welcome.鈥�
Regan is also the faculty liaison to AV研究所鈥檚 Living and Learning Communities, a signature residential life program that offers meaningful experiences designed around the theme of community. Her faculty peers describe her as a highly sought-after mentor who engages intentionally in conversations with her students and understands them in a unique way.
鈥淭racy is an amazing advisor and mentor to so many students,鈥� said Paul Cichello, a professor of the practice in economics who, when he served as director of undergraduate studies, found that Regan was in great demand for her advising. 鈥淚 think Tracy was bordering on 50 official advisees. Everyone was convinced she was the only one who could advise them. I am always astounded by how she remembers everything that is going on in her students鈥� and advisees鈥� lives. Been on vacation? She鈥檒l know it and will ask how it was before she dives into the morass of a theoretical economics model.鈥�
“ Professor Regan is everything that makes Boston College so special. Not only can she make a class lecture of 300 students feel like a small seminar, but she also shows genuine care and interest in one-on-one conversations. She has a bubbly, infectious personality that makes everyone she encounters feel welcome. ”
Regan also is adept at building a solid structure for her students, he added, one that encourages deeper exploration of economic principles that go beyond grades and course objectives, and into the complicated realities of the world.
Her students agree.
Heading into graduation, Barry Spoto 鈥�26 reflected on the valuable lessons he took from Regan鈥檚 classes鈥攍essons that went far deeper than core economic principles, he said.
鈥淎fter taking Health Economics, I not only developed theoretical knowledge about her area of expertise, but I also gained immense practical advice that I will carry with me throughout my life,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he connected economic principles with deeply human issues surrounding health care by exposing us to both historical and personal accounts. [T]he class had to discuss and work together to not only contextualize our learning but also discuss how to create meaningful solutions.鈥�
Principles of Economics, which fulfills one of the two social science core requirements, is known for its rigorous exploration of domestic and international economic systems. But many of Regan鈥檚 students found that her style of teaching invites curiosity without fear.
鈥淧rofessor Regan speaks passionately about the subjects she teaches and fuels this eagerness to learn in her students,鈥� said Isabella Eagan 鈥�26. 鈥淪he welcomes questions and encourages students to listen for the sake of understanding instead of for the grade, and creates an environment that fosters curiosity, allowing students to explore their own interests within the context of the class. Thank you to Professor Regan for creating such a welcoming atmosphere for me during my first semester of first year.鈥�
鈥淏eing recognized by students in this way means everything to me,鈥� said Regan. 鈥淭he students are why I get to do my job and why I love it. The undergraduates are central to AV研究所鈥檚 mission of cura personalis; it is a privilege and honor to be able to teach them, and to get to know them.鈥澨�
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