2025 News 2025: Douglas Roscoe receives Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching

Professor of Political Science recognized for exemplary teaching and service

UMass Dartmouth Professor of Political Science Douglas Roscoe has been awarded the 2025 Manning Prize for Excellence in Teaching. This prize is awarded annually to UMass faculty that exhibit an exemplary passion for teaching and dedication to their students' education.

The Manning Prize was established in 2016 by UMass Lowell alumni Rob Manning and his wife, Donna Manning, when they donated $50 million to the UMass system. Each year, one professor from each of the 5 campuses is honored with this recognition and awarded a $10,000 stipend.

"As first-generation college graduates, Donna and I felt the positive impact faculty role models had on us as we were beginning our journeys, so we're proud to recognize these five exemplary teachers who are inspiring the next generation of UMass students," said Rob Manning, who currently serves as the Chair of the UMass Foundation Board of Directors.

Roscoe was selected as the 2025 UMass Dartmouth recipient due to his engaging political science courses that introduce students to new political viewpoints. His classes encourage students to explore different perspectives on politics through roleplaying and simulation activities.

For his assignments, students embody writers and politicians of varying parties and opinions to gain an understanding of different worldviews. His pedagogy pushes them to take intellectual risks, an important and rewarding part of a liberal arts education. Roscoe’s learning experiences emphasize a mix of scholarly research and real-world application to prepare his students for their future.

“It's wonderful to get this recognition, and I'm very grateful to Rob and Donna, because the Manning Prize has recognized so many excellent teachers over the years,” said Roscoe.

“These outstanding instructors are critical for providing the kind of transformative liberal education that UMass is known for. My college experience had a powerful impact on me, and that was largely because of great teachers. My hope is that I can help my students have the same experience.”

In addition to teaching political science and working in the Honors College, Roscoe also served as the Director of General Education from 2008 to 2024 and was a Fulbright Scholar. His research focuses on American political parties and electoral processes. He has published two books and multiple journal articles. Roscoe joined UMassD in 2004 and has made a lasting impact over the past 20+ years.

“Dr. Roscoe’s excellence as an educator is continually demonstrated through the passion and capability of his students,” said Provost Ramprasad Balasubramanian. “For more than two decades, he has continually reimagined the student experience through creative, research-informed teaching practices that engage students deeply in their learning.”

“In addition, he has broadly shared his work with the campus community through his work as the Director of General Education and through the Office of Faculty Development. These have enhanced the University’s educational effectiveness and overall student success. Dr. Roscoe’s dedication to political science and our students’ development makes him incredibly deserving of this recognition,” Provost Balasubramanian continued.

“Professor Roscoe motivates students to take leading roles in their education. He took confusing charts and tables of political statistical data and created exercises and scenarios that broke the concepts down in ways that really made sense,” said Sara Donahue '26, a political science student. “He keeps his classes exciting — I enjoyed the interactive aspects of his teaching, as he would often assign projects that required us to meet in small groups or outside of class, which is how I made a few of my closest friends.”

Roscoe is joined by Ashley Woodman (psychology, UMass Amherst), Brook T. Moyers (biology, UMass Boston), Christa M. Hodapp (philosophy, UMass Lowell) and Mary Callery O’Brien (medicine, UMass Chan) for the 2025 awardee cohort. Associate Professor of Crime and Justice Studies Erin Katie Krafft was the 2024 recipient from UMassD.  

"My college experience had a powerful impact on me, and that was largely because of great teachers. My hope is that I can help my students have the same experience."