College honors faculty, staff and students
The College of Education held its annual Faculty, Staff and Student award and recognition ceremony on April 28, 2023.
“For me, this event is a highlight of the academic year as we take time to pause and recognize the exemplary work, accomplishments, and achievements of people in our college,” 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. The success of the College is a reflection of the effort that each of you gives every day. Please know that your good work does not go unnoticed and is deeply appreciated.”
Awardees are pictured with either Dean VanFossen, or Wayne E. Wright, Associate Dean for Research, Graduate Programs and Faculty Development.
2023 Holmes Scholars
Supports students who self-identify as racially and ethnically diverse and are pursuing graduate degrees in education at American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) member institutions
Samira Bashiru, Special Education, Dept. of Educational Studies
Karabella Hernandez, Counseling Psychology, Dept. of Educational Studies
Chenchen Lu, Social Studies Education, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Megan (Yiheng) Zhou, Counseling Psychology, Dept. of Educational Studies
Outstanding Service Award
A distinction granted to those who provide “[exceptional] service to the College and its stakeholders”.
Renita Quirls, Business Assistant, Business Office
Rachel Swank, Licensing Advisor, Office of Teacher Education and Licensure
Dr. Wanju Huang, Clinical Assistant Professor, Learning Design & Technology, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Sidney Marsh Moon Outstanding Service Award
A biennial award available to both faculty and staff who demonstrate leadership and service to the College that goes beyond the stated duties for service and engagement expected for their position, named in honor of former Associate Dean and Professor Dr. Sidney Marsh Moon.
Bob Evans, Director, Office of Information Technology/Purdue IT
Earl B. Notestine Award for Excellence in Academic Services
Recognizes, encourages, and promotes meritorious contributions in the delivery of student services.
Abby Weiderhaft Graduate Studies Coordinator, Office of Graduate Studies
Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
Recognizes doctoral students who demonstrated outstanding teaching as a teaching assistant or instructor of record.
Amanda Huffman Hayes, Mathematics Education, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship
One semester to one year full fellowship awarded by the Dean of the Graduate School to outstanding PhD candidates to support the completion of their dissertation. (l to r:)
Patrick Murphy, Counseling Psychology, Dept. of Educational Studies
Mohammad Shams Ud Duha, Learning Design & Technology, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Erin Rondeau-Madrid, Curriculum Studies, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Jingyuan Zhang, Special Education, Dept. of Educational Studies
Dean’s Dissertation Scholarship
Awarded to outstanding doctoral candidates engaged in dissertation research. (l to r:)
Jenna Gist, Science Education, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Krista Robbins, Counseling Psychology, Dept. of Educational Studies
Graduate Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice Award
Recognizes outstanding teaching, research, and/or engagement activities that promote diversity, equity, and social justice.
Janelle Grant, Curriculum Studies, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Mary Kay Sommers Dissertation Award
Recognizes an outstanding dissertation completed by recent graduate. Endowed in perpetuity by alumna Mary Kay Sommers who received the College’s Outstanding Dissertation Award in 1990.
Dr. Haiyan Li, Lecturer, College of Liberal Arts
Marcia Gentry Outstanding Dissertation Award
A new award this year, created to recognize an outstanding doctoral dissertation completed by a recent graduate which addresses the constructs of equity and excellence in gifted and talented education.
Dr. Hyseong Lee, Assistant Professor of Elementary Education, Lewis University
Dean’s Graduate Student Outstanding Scholarship Award
A new award this year, created to recognize a graduate student with an outstanding record of scholarly research.
Daniela Castellanos-Reyes, Learning Design & Technology, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Outstanding Undergraduate Sophomore Award
Recognizes a college Sophomore with an outstanding recording of academic achievement, leadership, and engagement.
Emma Jones
Outstanding Undergraduate Junior Award
Recognizes a college Junior with an outstanding recording of academic achievement, leadership, and engagement.
Kathryn Mueller
Outstanding Undergraduate Senior Award
Recognizes a college senior with an outstanding recording of academic achievement, leadership, and engagement.
Julia Pirrello
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award
Recognizes a faculty member with an outstanding record of teaching undergraduate and/or graduate courses in the college.
Dr. Virak Chan, Clinical Assistant Professor, Literacy & Language, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
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. Jennifer Smith, Clinical Assistant Professor, Special Education, Dept. of Educational Studies
Outstanding Faculty Graduate Mentor Award
Recognizes a faculty member with an outstanding record of mentoring graduate students.
Dr. Victoria Lowell, Clinical Associate Professor, Learning Design & Technology, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice Award
Recognizes faculty and staff who are have an outstanding record of advancing diversity, equity, and social justice issues at the unit, college, or university level and beyond.
Dr. Loran Parker, Associate Director, Principal Evaluation & Research Scholar, Evaluation and Learning Research Center
Excellence in Discovery Award
Recognizes outstanding research achievements of professional staff and non-tenure-track faculty in the College
Dr. Jasmine Begeske, Clinical Instructor, Special Education, Dept. of Educational Studies
Leadership in Global Engagement Award
Recognizes faculty and staff who have an outstanding record of global engagement activities.
Dr. Jill Newton, Professor of Mathematics Education, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Dean’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship – Tenured Professor
Recognizes a tenured faculty member with an outstanding record of research, publications, and other scholarly engagement.
Dr. Trish Morita-Mullaney, tenured Associate Professor, Literacy & Language, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
Dean’s Award for Outstanding Faculty Scholarship – Assistant Professor
Recognizes a tenure-track faculty member with an outstanding record of research, publications, and other scholarly engagement.
Dr. Christy Wessel Powell, tenure-track Assistant Professor, Literacy & Language, Dept. of Curriculum & Instruction
The College of Education congratulates these winners, along with the other winners of department and university awards this year.
Source: Phillip J. VanFossen, mailto:education@purdue.edu?subject=2023 annual awards