Megan Ashcraft, MSN, RN, CNE, assistant professor in the Avila University School of Nursing, received the Teaching Excellence Award from The Research Foundation in recognition of her skill and excellence in the classroom. In receiving the annual award, Ashcraft received a $1,000 honorarium and is also eligible to for up to $5,000 in funding toward a doctoral degree. The Research Foundation’s annual awards recognize excellence in nursing education at three Kansas City-area institutions of higher education—Avila, The Research Foundation and William Jewell College. In addition to the Teaching Excellence Award, the foundation awards prizes for Outstanding Community Service and Scholarly Achievement to celebrate the vast impact faculty and teachers from all three institutions make in the community.