‘Collaborative, motivated people’: College honors faculty, staff, students in spring awards ceremony
The College of Education held its annual Faculty, Staff, and Student Awards and Recognition Ceremony on April 18, 2025.
“We wish to again congratulate these winners and the other winners of department and university awards this year,” said Phillip J. VanFossen, interim dean of the College. “Our faculty, staff, and students are collaborative and motivated people who take on what are often very challenging tasks.”
Awardees are pictured with VanFossen and Jennifer Smith, Clinical Associate Professor of Special Education.
Faculty and Staff Awards
Bravo Awards
Purdue University’s Bravo Award is an innovative employee recognition initiative designed to honor outstanding faculty and staff members whose dedication drives the university toward new heights of success.
Alissa Adams, Elements Success Manager in the Office of Strategic Assessment and Accreditation, Education Administration
Kristy Bennett, Administrative Assistant, Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction
Carol Cox, Head Administrative Assistant, Dept. of Educational Studies
Ted Fondak, Lead IT Site Specialist and Technician for Purdue IT, Education Administration
Karen George-Friedman, Grant Development Specialist, Office of the Dean
Molly Howe, Assistant to the Department Head, Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Lindley McDavid, Senior Evaluation and Research Associate, Evaluation and Learning Research Center
Jeannie Navarre, Administrative Assistant to the Department Head, Dept. of Educational Studies
Dr. Amber Reed, Director of Assessment and Accreditation, Office of Strategic Assessment and Accreditation
Dr. Sidney Marsh Moon Award for Outstanding Service
This most prestigious award in the College recognizes those who demonstrate leadership and service to the College that far exceeds the performance expectations for their faculty position, leadership and service to the College of Education that far exceeds the performance expectations for their faculty position. Presented in person this year by Dr. Sidney Marsh Moon.
“Phil’s willingness to continue serving is driven by nothing more than his love and commitment for the College of Education, and his deep respect for our faculty, staff and students. Despite the “interim” title, Phil has not missed a beat in moving the college forward full speed ahead. One of Phil’s great accomplishments has been his tireless efforts to advocate for the College of Education, his efforts to distinguish our college as ‘quinoa in a field of wheat,’ among other colleges of education in Indiana, and his success in dramatically increasing our college’s presence at Purdue, in the media, and on social media. Throughout this, Phil continues to lead the Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship, serve in his role as a Faculty Athletics Representative, and do so with the same level of energy as usual and with a smile on his face. He works overtime to keep us all calm and assured during this period of uncertainty, continuously celebrating the great work of our college, and continuing to advocate for us at every turn. The interim deanship is not something Phil aspired to and comes at great personal sacrifice to the work he is most passionate about. His continuing willingness and success in doing so is why he is so deserving of the Dr. Sidney Marsh Moon Award for Outstanding Service,” said Moon.
“Phil served diligently as the Associate Dean of Learning tackling many unresolved and other important issues during the 2016-2017 academic year. As Phil was finally enjoying his return to the faculty, he accepted an important university leadership position as the Faculty Athletics Representative—a position in which he continues to serve. During the tenure of Dean Marchand-Martella, Phil was called upon to play a key role as the College Parliamentarian, which proved essential when navigating the long and complex process of revising our College of Education Bylaws. When Phil was asked by the university to step into the role of Interim Dean of the College of Education, effective July 1, 2022, he agreed to do so on a temporary basis, with the expectation that the role would be for just one academic year with an active Dean’s Search underway. Following the unexpected, failed Dean’s Search, Phil graciously agreed to continue in the role of Interim Dean,” Moon said.
Outstanding Service Award
Granted to those who provide “exceptional service to the College and its stakeholders.”
Dr. Juliana Aguilar, Clinical Assistant Professor, Special Education
Juliana Aguilar has demonstrated exemplary service during the past year. She has distinguished herself over the past year, mainly through her service to the College of Education, as well as her local, state, national, and international engagement activities and leadership that furthers the mission and strategic plan of the College of Education.
Dr. Jasmine Begeske, Clinical Assistant Professor, Special Education
Jasmine Begeske currently serves as the Special Education Program Coordinator and works tirelessly to ensure a steady, positive movement at the College of Education.
Marshay Jolly, Director of Financial Affairs
Marshay Jolly plays a key role in the functions of our college. Marshay is a diligent steward of the College’s financials and consistently provides exceptional service.
Nancy McNeely, Beering Hall Building Deputy
Everyone who works in Beering Hall is familiar with Nancy McNeely. Her outstanding service as a Building Deputy helps our building run smoothly!
Gabbrielle Waldon, Student Teaching Coordinator, Office of Clinical Practice
Gabbrielle Waldon supports her team, communicates effectively, and keeps her coworkers informed about issues and items that may impact other areas. She also brings a vast array of new ideas that will further her career in Academic Services. Her dedication and exemplary work ethic makes her a valuable employee.
The Earl B. Notestine Award for Excellence in Academic Services
Recognizes, encourages, and promotes meritorious contributions in the delivery of student services.
Ryan Farrell, Teacher Education Recruiter, Academic Services
In addition to leading successful recruiting events such as Become a Teacher Day, Ryan Farrell has been instrumental in growing our undergraduate numbers the last few years.
Outstanding Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice Staff Award
Recognizes staff who have an outstanding record of advancing diversity, equity, and social justice issues at the unit, college, or university level and beyond.
Abraham (Abe) Zaragoza, Graduate Recruitment Coordinator, Academic Services
Abe Zaragoza coordinates graduate recruitment and is also heavily involved across campus and the community. This award reflects the great work he has done with the Latino Cultural Center and the Tippecanoe Latino Festival.
Graduate Student Awards
Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
Recognizes doctoral students who demonstrated outstanding teaching as a teaching assistant or instructor of record.
Doris Fulwider, Teaching Assistant, Mathematics Education
Doris is a highly dedicated teacher – her course evaluations consistently receive strong ratings, and the comments are specific and positive. Students appreciate her attention to detail, prompt and clear communication, and, most importantly, her care for them both personally and academically/professionally.
Alia Pineda Medina, Teaching Assistant and GER2I Programs Coordinator, Gifted Education
There is no one more deserving of this award than Alia – her teaching practices and commitment are instrumental in the success of our undergraduate High Ability Pathway course.
Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship
This fellowship is awarded by the Dean of the Graduate School and provides support to outstanding PhD candidates in the final year of doctoral degree completion.
Alexandria Holmes, PhD Candidate, Educational Psychology
Ali’s dissertation demonstrated a strong alignment with her primary interests, which reflected her research, teaching, and engagement. In light of her readiness and the observational data that she used to develop case studies, she is very deserving of this award. Her dissertation title is Learning to Teach: Uncovering the Complexities of Preservice Teachers’ Identity.
Austin Jenkins, PhD Candidate, Science Education
Austin possesses solid academic credentials. He has an unquestionable desire and potential for advancing STEM education at the preK-12 level, as demonstrated in his record of research, teaching, and engagement experiences. His dissertation title is A Family Affair: Exploring the influence of family members on middle school student science identity development in informal spaces.
Tirtha Karki, PhD Candidate, Gifted Education
Tirtha has been an outstanding student and a dedicated Teaching Assistant in the Literacy and Language Education Program. His academic performance and commitment to teaching are exemplary and he’ll make significant contributions to education. His dissertation title is AI Literacy Integrated Content-Area Instruction Course for Teachers of Multilingual Learners: Exploring Impact, Affordances, and Ethical and Critical Perspectives.
Xiyu Wang, PhD Candidate, Educational Psychology
Xiyu developed a robust dissertation proposal and successfully conducted pilot analyses. Her study is not only feasible but also poised to make significant contributions to the advancement of research synthesis methodology. Her dissertation title is Boosting Screening Efficiency in Research Synthesis with Text Mining and Machine Learning.
Dean’s Dissertation Scholarship
Awarded to outstanding doctoral candidates engaged in dissertation research.
Anthony Ilobinso, PhD Candidate, Learning Design & Technology
Anthony established himself as a leader and top student within Learning Design & Technology. He has demonstrated excellence across research, teaching, service and engagement. His dissertation is titled Exploring the Transformative Potential of Augmented Reality for Meaningful Science Education.
Hernán Cristobal Castillo-Hermosilla, PhD Candidate, Gifted Education
Hernán has extensive experience working with gifted and talented programs for students from historically underrepresented populations and has consistently made significant contributions to various aspects of Purdue’s gifted education programs. His dissertation is titled “They Say It’s Good for Us, but When Will They Hear Our Voices?” Students’ Experiences and Perceptions of Classroom Quality in a University-Based Talent Development Summer Camp.
Graduate Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice Award
Recognizes outstanding teaching, research, and/or engagement activities that promote diversity, equity, and social justice.
Angel Cox, PhD Student, Counseling Psychology
Angel engages in ways that foster an inclusive and supportive campus climate and has also been active in advancing DESJ scholarship. Additionally, her efforts are not focused solely on the individuals within the College of Education but also on the entire campus and the broader community.
Xuwei (Sara) Luo, PhD Student, Curriculum Studies
Sara is a dedicated advocate for the Purdue Freedom School and works to ensure the Purdue community and our college are at the forefront of the field of education through her role as Journal Editorial Assistant for First Opinions, Second Reactions and her help organizing the Purdue Freedom School Program’s National Day of Social Action.
Mary Kay Sommers Dissertation Award
Recognizes an outstanding dissertation completed by a recent graduate. Endowed in perpetuity by alumna Mary Kay Sommers who received the College’s Outstanding Dissertation Award in 1990.
Dr. Daniela Vilarinho Rezende Pereira, PhD ‘24 Educational/Instructional Technology
Daniela stands out as an outstanding scholar and her exceptional scholarly work is evident in her dissertation research. The title of her dissertation is Informing Educator Preparation Programs: Insights Into Technology Integration.
Norbert Nelson Outstanding Dissertation Award
Recognizes an outstanding dissertation completed by a recent graduate. This award was made possible by a generous gift made in honor of the late Purdue Professor Emeritus of School Administration, Norbert J. Nelson.
Dr. Amani Khalil, PhD ’24 Counseling Psychology
Amani’s contributions to the field are exemplary, especially advancing equitable access to autism services for marginalized populations. She continues to apply her dissertation research in practice, bridging the gap between research findings and real-world clinical application. The title of her dissertation is Help-Seeking Experiences of Asian American Caregivers of Children with Autism.
Maryann Santos Doctoral Fellowship Award
This scholarship supported by the Maryann Santos Doctoral Fellowship Fund, an endowment named in honor of a former Dean of the College of Education. Dean Santos was a passionate advocate for diversity and social justice, which became one of the signature areas for our college under her leadership, and was also a strong supporter of graduate students and programs.
Samiratu Bashiru, PhD Candidate, Special Education
Samira is highly regarded by her students and is actively involved in multiple organizations, including serving as Vice President for GoEds and Family Representative on the Executive Board of the Indiana Division for Early Childhood.
Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award
Recognizes a graduate student with an outstanding record of scholarly research.
Chenchen Lu, PhD Student, Social Studies Education
Chenchen is one of the most capable graduate student researchers. His contributions through his proposed dissertation study, and his own published research as well as his collaboration with Dr. Chrystal Johnson’s research, make him deserving of this award.
Undergraduate Awards
Outstanding Junior Award
Recognizes a college junior with an outstanding record of academic achievement, leadership, and engagement.
Teagan Drumm
Teagan consistently demonstrates academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a collaborative spirit that enriches the learning environment. She takes initiative in supporting her peers, fostering an inclusive and encouraging classroom atmosphere. Her ability to uplift those around her speaks volumes about her character and leadership potential
Faculty Awards
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award
Recognizes a faculty member with an outstanding record of teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in the college.
Dr. Juliana Aguilar,Clinical Assistant Professor, Special Education
Juliana Aguilar actively strives to ensure that all students receive the best instruction possible. She consistently receives positive reviews from all her students while also helping them feel a part of the Purdue community.
Outstanding Faculty Engagement
Recognizes a faculty member with an outstanding record of engagement in their department, college, university, community, and/or their professional field.
Dr. Breanya Hogue, Assistant Professor, Literacy and Language Education
Breanya Hogue is a strong advocate for student literacy through her Purdue Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom School Program. She has given multiple presentations, received numerous grants, written several publications, and has been featured in the media, which makes her an excellent recipient of this award.
Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award
Recognizes a faculty member with an outstanding record of mentoring graduate students.
Dr. Signe Kastberg, Professor and Mary Endres Chair in Elementary Education, Mathematics Education
Signe Kastberg’s former student sums up why she is an outstanding mentor: “She dedicates time to all the students she works with, points them down personal paths to success, and allows them to walk those paths to become experts in mathematics education research.”
Excellence in Discovery Award
Recognizes outstanding research achievements of professional staff and non-tenure-track faculty in the College of Education, including outstanding singular achievements such as an impactful publication, awarded proposal, or other forms of research and discovery dissemination.
Dr. Wanju Huang, Clinical Associate Professor, Learning Design and Technology
Wanju Huang’s recent research published in the Journal of Research on Technology in Education introduces an innovative, two-minute animated video that has the potential to significantly impact instructional design and statistics education globally making her a masterful recipient of this award.
Leadership in Global Engagement Award
Recognizes faculty and staff who have an outstanding record of global engagement activities.
Dr. Virak Chan, Clinical Associate Professor, Literacy and Language
Virak Chan‘s work in creating and running a study abroad program, establishing partnerships between Purdue University and Cambodian educational institutions, promoting intercultural knowledge and experience, and supporting international scholars has had a profound impact on both Purdue and Cambodia.
Dean’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship
Recognizes one tenured professor and one tenured track assistant professor.
Tenured Professor: Dr. Adrie Koehler, Associate Professor, Learning Design and Technology
Adrie Koehler’s research offers insight into the effective design and facilitation of learning experiences across face-to-face, blended, and online environments, guiding the preparation of individuals to work successfully in evolving professional digital environments.
Tenured Track Assistant Professor: Dr. Rebekah Hammack, Assistant Professor, Science Education
Rebekah Hammack’s place-conscious research has earned national recognition and influenced the evolution of science education practice to ever-expanding degrees, making her the easy choice for this award.
“The success of the College is a reflection of the effort that you each give every day,” VanFossen said. “Please know that your good work does not go unnoticed and is deeply appreciated.”
Congratulations to all of our award winners!
Source: Phillip J. VanFossen, Interim Dean, College of Education