Professors Mauleón, Zaragoza, and Wildermuth Receive the 2026 Stanley V. Kinyon Teacher of the Year Award

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Charlotte Garden, Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett Professor of Law, presented the 2026 Stanley V. Kinyon Teacher of the Year Awards at the Law School's 138th commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16. 

"It is my privilege to present the faculty teaching awards for this academic year," said Garden. "Stanley V. Kinyon graduated from Minnesota Law in 1933 and served on the faculty for 40 years. He was a recognized scholar and known for his support of students, inside and outside the classroom. Each year, students recognize faculty for their significant contributions in both teaching and mentorship with the Kinyon awards."

Professor Emmanuel Mauleón was awarded the 2026 Stanley V. Kinyon Teacher of the Year Award for tenure/tenure-track teaching. Professor Mauleón joined the Law School faculty in 2024. He teaches and writes in the areas of policing, criminal law, and critical race theory. Before joining the University of Minnesota Law School, Professor Mauleón taught at UCLA School of Law and worked with the Brennan Center for Justice and NYU’s Policing Project.

In nominating Professor Mauleón, one student noted:

Professor Liliana Zaragoza was awarded the 2026 Stanley V. Kinyon Teacher of the Year Award for clinical teaching. She joined the Law School faculty in 2022 and is the director of the Racial Justice Law Clinic. Professor Zaragoza and her clinic students engage in legal advocacy on behalf of and in collaboration with individuals, community members, and movements challenging racial oppression across a range of issue areas, including policing, employment, housing, and open government records requests. Before joining the University of Minnesota Law School faculty, Professor Zaragoza practiced law with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the New York Legal Assistance Group.

A student wrote in Professor Zaragoza's nomination:

Professor Amy Wildermuth was awarded the 2026 Stanley V. Kinyon Teacher of the Year Award for visiting faculty. Professor Wildermuth joined the Law School in 2024 as a visiting professor. She teaches and writes about administrative law, civil procedure, environmental law, and U.S. Supreme Court practice. Before joining Minnesota Law, Professor Wildermuth served as dean, associate vice president for faculty, and professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She was also the first-ever chief sustainability officer at the University of Utah.

In nominating Professor Wildermuth, one student wrote:

Congratulations, Professors Mauleón, Zaragoza, and Wildermuth!