Murphy and Schlesinger

Teaching professor and Instructor

School of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences

While a bit untraditional, this year, we are recognizing a teaching team as one of our recipients of the Provost’s Teaching Award – Karla Murphy and Chelsie Schlesinger. We are recognizing them for their exceptional, collaborative, and innovative pedagogy that has redefined first-year writing at ASU. 

Their partnership, born from the challenges of the pandemic, has evolved into a nationally recognized model of inclusive, student-centered pedagogy. Their teaching exemplifies ASU’s Charter by fostering access, inclusion, and real-world impact transforming how students learn to write, and how educators across the university imagine teaching with AI. 

Teaching an entry-level, high-impact course critical to student retention, Murphy and Schlesinger achieved a 94% course completion rate and directly supported nearly 2,000 students. Their networked and multimodal teaching approach, integrates Adobe Creative Cloud and GenAI tools and empowers students from diverse backgrounds to build digital literacy, agency, and belonging. Initiatives such as Write Nights and Study Halls extend learning beyond the classroom, strengthening academic confidence and community connection. 

Their leadership also extends institution-wide: as co-founders of the New College GenAI Community of Practice, they guide faculty across disciplines in ethical, inclusive uses of emerging technologies. Their work, featured by ASU Enterprise Technology and the Office of the Provost and their forthcoming co-authored chapter with the Council of Writing Program Administrators, demonstrate lasting institutional and national impact.

All awardees