The College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, or CHASS, has announced the recipients of its 2025-26 awards for teaching, excellence in research and/or creative activities, and community engagement.
Christopher Murillo, assistant professor of teaching in the Department of Theatre, Film, and Digital Production, received the CHASS Faculty Teaching Award. Murillo was nominated by the department’s chair, Robin Russin.
“Murillo draws on his work as a professional designer in theatre, film, and television for assignments and lectures,” according to the citation. “His carefully sequenced assignments guide students from script analysis through finished set and costume designs, demonstrating a clear pedagogical vision that leads to strongly positive evaluations on all course metrics — Professor Russin notes he has not encountered a single negative comment.
“Students consistently praise his preparation, responsiveness, and ability to ready them for professional careers. Professor Russin notes that Professor Murillo is also very collegial, with a strong record of service to the department. Professor Murillo’s teaching exemplifies what the award is designed to recognize.”
Eric Schwitzgebel, distinguished professor of philosophy, received the CHASS Faculty Excellence in Research and/or Creative Activities Award. The citation calls Schwitzgebel a “compelling choice” for the honor.
“He has compiled a record of research and creative activity whose breadth and depth are exceptional even among senior colleagues,” the citation says. “His published work, which has appeared in the discipline’s most selective venues, including ‘Philosophical Review,’ ‘Noûs,’ and ‘Mind,’ spans epistemology, metaphysics, classical Chinese philosophy, the ethics of technology, and artificial intelligence, and he has extended his traditionally grounded theoretical work with empirical approaches, contributing to the growing field of ‘experimental philosophy.’
“Professor Schwitzgebel also brings philosophy to general audiences through op-eds and essays in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and The Atlantic, among other venues, and publishes philosophically themed science fiction in leading genre venues, with several stories earning Locus recommendations and translation into multiple languages. In addition, he has achieved extraordinary extramural funding success, rare in philosophy, with over $930,000 in grants. One of the most cited contemporary philosophers of his generation, Professor Schwitzgebel embodies the standard of excellence in research and creative activity that this award honors.”
Rachel Wu, associate professor of psychology and brain sciences, received the CHASS Faculty Award of Community Engagement. Wu’s record “shows she more than merits” the award, the citation says.
“Across five letters of support (from her doctoral student nominator, a faculty colleague, and three community partners), a picture of sustained partnership with community service providers emerges,” according to the citation. “Professor Wu has built a lasting infrastructure connecting UCR to the campus Center for Early Childhood Education, the Janet Goeske Center in Riverside, and TELACU in East Los Angeles.
“Letters from a graduate student mentee, a colleague, and community partners describe her work as truly collaborative, treating community members as co-creators rather than study subjects, and they credit her with measurable gains for participants.
“She also is a respected mentor for undergraduates and graduate students, training them in ethical, community-centered research, and her community engagement extends to public scholarship through media appearances, including a widely viewed TEDx talk. Dr. Wu’s work exemplifies the integration of research, teaching, and service that this award is designed to recognize.”