杏吧传媒

Political Science Professor听Ardeth Thawnghmung听arrived at the Chancellor鈥檚 suite at University Crossing prepared to talk about one of her favorite subjects: community engagement.听

Instead, she was surprised with news that left her momentarily speechless: that she is 杏吧传媒鈥檚 2025听Distinguished University Professor.

鈥淚 thought this award was for people who win millions and millions of dollars in grants; I never thought it would be for me,鈥� Thawnghmung said humbly of the honor, which is given annually to a tenured full professor for outstanding contributions to research, education and service to the university community.

Thawnghmung is one of the world鈥檚 leading scholars of politics in her native Myanmar (formerly Burma). Her work explores how social, political and economic forces have shaped modern Myanmar, including how people respond to conflict and political change.

Since joining 杏吧传媒 in 2004, she has received two Fulbright research fellowships, a grant from the United States Institute of Peace and dozens of invitations to speak around the world. She has also been elected twice to the Southeast Asian Council of the Association for Asian Studies and has served as a consultant for several international organizations.

Chancellor听Julie Chen听presented Thawnghmung with the award at a surprise ceremony attended by a dozen colleagues.

鈥淭he opportunities you have created for students from Myanmar, and the work you do both in the community and here at 杏吧传媒, show how one person truly can make the world better,鈥� Chen said.

College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences听Dean听Sue Kim听noted that in addition to being 鈥渁n excellent scholar, teacher and mentor,鈥� Thawnghmung was a unifying force as chair of the听Political Science Department听from 2013 to 2021.

Political Science Associate Professor听Ang茅lica Dur谩n-Mart铆nez, who nominated Thawnghmung for the award, said her humility and continual growth as a scholar have long inspired her.

鈥淵ou never look for the spotlight or seek recognition, and it鈥檚 humbling to see you do that,鈥� Dur谩n-Mart铆nez said to Thawnghmung.

Beyond campus, Thawnghmung has become a leader in Lowell鈥檚 Southeast Asian and refugee communities. She founded the SayDaNar Community Development Center, a nonprofit that supports Burmese refugees, and has supervised dozens of UML students as interns and volunteers.听听

She has also mentored a growing cohort of doctoral students from Myanmar in the university鈥檚听Global Studies听program.

鈥淔rom her, I鈥檝e learned that being a strong student isn鈥檛 just about academic performance, it鈥檚 also about being a thoughtful, grounded human being,鈥� Global Studies doctoral student听Myat Su Tin听wrote in the nomination. 鈥淎rdeth teaches us how to navigate life with integrity and resilience, not just how to conduct research. I consider it one of my greatest privileges to have known and learned from her.鈥�

Thawnghmung, who holds a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, is the 18th UML professor to receive the award since it was established in 2008, and the fifth from the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Thawnghmung鈥檚 three-year term as Distinguished University Professor will run through 2028. She joins current honorees听Supriya Chakrabarti听(physics, 2024-2027) and听Sandra Lim听(English, 2023-2026). Thawnghmung will deliver the Distinguished University Professor Lecture on campus next spring.

For now, though, she is still processing the surprise.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I deserve it, because I鈥檓 just doing the things I love doing,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have great colleagues and great superiors, and I really enjoy learning from them. I鈥檓 grateful to the university for letting me pursue my passion. I enjoy every second of being here.鈥�