Vagelis Papalexakis earned the 2021 BCOE Distinguished Teaching Award which recognizes excellence in teaching at the college. The award selection committee, comprised of BCOE engineering faculty, pointed to Papalexakis' "strong record of innovation in education both in and out of the classroom, a reputation for inspiring and energizing our students, and an eagerness to promote and support the college's educational mission both on-campus and beyond."