Andrew Springer, DrPH, a dedicated professor and researcher at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston), has been awarded the 2025 Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award. This prestigious accolade is given to educators in Texas who demonstrate exceptional teaching abilities.
Kevin Morano, PhD, senior vice president of Academic and Faculty Affairs and Roger J. Bulger, MD, Distinguished Professor at UTHealth Houston, stated, “The Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award recognizes outstanding educators in the state of Texas, and we are honored to have 12 recipients over the years in our faculty ranks. Dr. Springer is another excellent addition to that roster.”
Springer serves as an associate professor in the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. His contributions to education were previously acknowledged when he was named one of the system’s Outstanding Teachers by The University of Texas Regents in 2022. He is also affiliated with the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living and the Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research.
Eric Boerwinkle, PhD, MS, MA, dean of the School of Public Health, M. David Low Chair in Public Health, and Kozmetsky Family Chair in Human Genetics commented on Springer's achievements: “Dr. Springer exemplifies excellence in teaching, inspiring his students through his passion, mentorship, and dedication to learning. This award is a meaningful recognition of the lasting impact he has in the classroom.”
Each year ten Piper Professors are selected from nominations submitted by colleges and universities across Texas. Recipients receive an honorarium from the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation as acknowledgment for their teaching dedication.
Springer expressed his gratitude saying: “I am incredibly honored to be among the recipients of the Piper Professor Teaching Award, with sincere recognition of my colleagues and the exceptional professors at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.” He added that he values participatory learning methods which he applies alongside graduate students both domestically and internationally.
With over two decades dedicated to child and adolescent health promotion programs starting as a high school volunteer in Peru, Springer's journey led him through extensive academic training culminating at UTHealth Houston where he completed his master’s and doctoral studies.
Currently co-teaching several graduate-level courses related to health promotion planning and community health theory at UTHealth Houston, Springer's recent research initiatives include projects such as Youth-Led Community Health Learning Initiative and Travis County Physical Activity Landscape Assessment among others.
The San Antonio-based Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation was established in 1958 supporting higher education within Texas through various scholarships and grants thanks largely due to its founders Randall Gordon Piper along with his wife Minnie Stevens Piper.
