Tatyana Pashnyak, a business faculty member in the Stafford School of Business at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), has been named the National Business Education Association (NBEA) Collegiate Teacher of the Year for the Southern Region.

"Congratulations to Tatyana Pashnyak on this recognition,” said Dr. Yasemin Atinc, dean of the Stafford School of Business at ABAC. “This award is a testament to Tatyana’s dedication to her students and to the high-quality education she provides in the classroom. Her commitment to student success demonstrates why ABAC business students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in their careers and make a meaningful impact in the business world.”

The Southern Region is one of five regions in the national association. The Southern Region covers 12 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Pashnyak, who teaches courses in the Bachelor of Science in Business program at ABAC’s Bainbridge campus, has more than 26 years of teaching experience. She holds an M.Ed. in Business Education and a B.S. in Middle Grades Education from the University of West Georgia, and she earned an MBA at Eastern University in 2023. Before joining ABAC, she taught at Bainbridge State College.

“Congratulations to Tatyana on this well-deserved honor,” said Dr. Michael Kirkland, executive director of ABAC Bainbridge. “Tatyana has a special ability to connect with students and make them feel supported and valued. She brings energy and enthusiasm to the classroom, brightening the day for everyone on our Bainbridge campus while helping students build the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed. This award reflects the impact she has on our students and our entire campus community.”

Her work at ABAC has drawn attention beyond the classroom. In 2024, she published an article in NBEA’s Business Education Forum titled “Harness the Power of AI to Create Engaging Business Case Studies.” This semester, she and Christy Blanchett are leading the Stafford School of Business’s new “Everyday Entrepreneur Program,” which is funded by a NACCE grant. In the program, students develop business concepts and pitch them in classroom competitions, and the overall winning team will represent ABAC in a University System of Georgia entrepreneurship competition.

“This award means so much to me because serving my students and helping them succeed is at the heart of what I do,” Pashnyak said. “I work hard to create meaningful learning experiences and support my students both in and outside the classroom. It is incredibly rewarding to have those efforts recognized, and I am honored to receive this award.”