Show-Me State Times

Associate Professor of Accounting Neil Jansen has been awarded the 2024 Nancy McNeir Ring Award for Excellence in Teaching at Saint Louis University (SLU). This prestigious accolade is SLU’s highest teaching honor, recognizing faculty members who demonstrate exceptional dedication to students. The award is decided by SLU's chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, a national Jesuit honor society.

Jansen expressed his gratitude, stating, “Being the recipient of the Nancy McNeir Ring award is quite humbling given the dedication of the faculty across the entire university who strive to serve our students and live the Jesuit Mission daily through our teaching and service.” He added that being nominated and selected by Alpha Sigma Nu from among many outstanding colleagues motivates him to continue serving students and the SLU community.

As part of this recognition, Jansen will deliver the commencement address at SLU's 2024 Midyear Commencement Ceremony on December 14 at Chaifetz Arena.

Jansen holds Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting and international business from Illinois State University. He transitioned from a career in financial services to education after earning a master’s degree in professional accounting from SLU in 1998. “While I felt I was learning new things every day, I always missed the environment of higher education,” he said. “Joining the faculty at SLU has provided me with these opportunities.”

Since joining SLU as an accounting instructor in 2008, Jansen has served as director of the Master of Accounting Program since 2010 and became an Associate Professor in 2024. His courses include Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Cost Management, and Financial Reporting III. Jansen emphasizes student involvement and practical applications of classroom concepts. “I believe that learning is reinforced with extensive dialogue between the instructor and the students,” he noted.

His teaching excellence has earned him several awards prior to receiving this latest honor. These include being named Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Faculty Member multiple times and winning various other accolades for his contributions to academia.

Jansen also brings guest speakers into his classes to provide students with real-world insights into their potential careers. He stated, “I think that bringing my professional work experience and relevant real-world examples into the classroom allows the students to see practical applications.”

Outside SLU, Jansen engages in consulting work and community service. He developed a course for newly ordained priests within the Archdiocese of St. Louis and serves as a trustee at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Shiloh, IL.

The Nancy McNeir Ring Award was established by SLU’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu in 1966 to honor Nancy McNeir Ring, SLU’s first dean of women known for her devotion to student welfare. It remains SLU’s only University-wide teaching award.