Jonathan Komperda receives Harold A. Simon Award for teaching excellence

Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies Jonathan Komperda has received the prestigious Harold A. Simon award, which recognizes teaching excellence within the College of Engineering.

The award is named for the late Dr. Harold A. Simon, a UIC professor of mechanical engineering, renowned for his teaching excellence. It is the highest teaching distinction in the college and presented annually to one College of Engineering faculty member who embodies the distinguished service, dedication, and teaching excellence that defined the late Simon’s career at UIC.

Komperda earned his degrees from UIC before joining MIE as faculty member in 2016. He mainly teaches Senior Design, which is two-semester sequence required for MIE senior students, and Numerical Methods for Engineers.

“We should give our students opportunities that we wish we had when we were undergraduates,” he said. “That’s why I focus on industry partnerships and project-based learning to give our students experience that translates to the real world and prepares them for their post-graduation lives.”

He wants to see students thrive, whether it be in industry, continuing to graduate school, or as an entrepreneur. He strongly advocates for engineering students’ extracurricular activities and support structures to help them navigate difficult situations while in college.

It is this belief that has led to Komperda being a two-time winner of the Silver Circle Award for Teaching Excellence, a two-time recipient of the College of Engineering Teaching Award, and the recipient of the College of Engineering Advising Award.

For the Harold A. Simon Award, student nominations lauded him for his selfless dedication and the passion he shows as an educator. Here’s what students had to say about him.

“I know I can speak for most when I say that due to his ability to teach difficult subjects, many students can actually take what they learned from the class and apply it elsewhere, which is a rare trait to find in most professors. Professor Komperda also shows a great enthusiasm for the subjects he teaches. Each class with the Professor was and is engaging and interesting,” David Tith said.

“As my senior design project advisor, he played a pivotal role in my academic journey, offering invaluable guidance, encouragement, and motivation. Professor Komperda has an unparalleled ability to inspire and engage students. His approach to teaching goes beyond simply conveying knowledge—he fosters curiosity, encourages problem-solving, and ensures students leave every interaction with newfound confidence. I experienced this firsthand during my senior design project; after each meeting, I felt re-energized and motivated to tackle challenges,” Kailiana Engesser said.

“Since the day I met him, he’s guided me through difficult classes, through industry offers, through personal endeavors and he has never made it feel like a chore. It’s genuine, you can feel that you’re talking to someone who wants to see you win,” Ashley Martinez said.

“I have had the pleasure of being Dr. Komperda’s student for the past two years. Not only has he been an outstanding professor, but also a remarkable mentor. Dr. Komperda consistently demonstrates an innovative and thoughtful approach to teaching that makes his courses engaging and intellectually stimulating. Whether in the classroom, in online formats, or during advising meetings, he integrates a variety of tools, discussions, and real-world applications into his lessons. His ability to communicate complex topics enables students not only to grasp difficult concepts but also to apply them effectively,” Juliana Moro said.

Komperda is only the fifth person in MIE to receive the award. Professor Lin Li received the honor in 2016, Associate Professor and Associate Department Head Michael Scott received it in 2013, UIC Distinguished Professor Ahmed A. Shabana was awarded in 1999, and Professor Emeritus W.J. Minkowycz was honored in 1986.