Gulzhan Aldan, a MEAM Ph.D. Candidate in the Bargatin Group, was awarded the Spring 2025 Outstanding Teaching Assistant (TA) Award in Mechanical Engineering in recognition of her contributions to instruction in MEAM 2030: Thermodynamics, a core course in the MEAM undergraduate curriculum. This award recognizes a graduate student whose dedication, initiative, and teaching excellence have significantly enhanced the learning experience of mechanical engineering students.
In his nomination letter, Associate Professor Igor Bargatin praised Gulzhan’s effectiveness and commitment: “Gulzhan has been an outstanding teaching assistant, showing both effectiveness and dedication to our students. She created clear, well-organized recitation notes and exam preparation materials that made complex topics more accessible. She also devoted many hours to office hours and review sessions, where she explained difficult thermodynamics concepts with patience and clarity. Her strong communication skills and commitment to student learning greatly enhanced the course.”
From her very first recitation, Gulzhan’s thoughtful approach stood out. One student observed, “She remembers people, names, faces—everything. You’ve never met someone more helpful,” and record-breaking attendance at her early-morning review sessions spoke volumes about how much students valued her support. By creating recorded problem walkthroughs and sending detailed explanations via email, she seamlessly extended her teaching beyond the classroom.
Another senior applauded how Gulzhan “goes above and beyond. She explains topics in a way that is incredible comprehensible. In addition to recitation and office hours, she also provided resources such as recorded problem walkthroughs… I have been able to succeed much more as a student under her assisted instruction.” Another student added, “Her recitations being so much clarity, and I would never miss one of her review sessions.
The Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award in Mechanical Engineering honors the vital role that TAs like Gulzhan play in enriching the educational experience at Penn Engineering. As this year’s recipient, she will receive a $500 prize and recognition on her official academic transcript. Congratulations to Gulzhan Aldan for exemplifying initiative, reliability, and a unwavering commitment to her students’ success!