College of Arts and Sciences Announces 2024-2025 Faculty and Teaching Award Winners

The College of Arts and Sciences is proud to recognize the exceptional faculty who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, mentorship, service, and innovation during the 2024–2025 academic year. These annual awards celebrate the individuals whose work enriches our classrooms, research, and broader community.


Outstanding Teaching Awards

Image 1: Outstanding Teaching Awards Four faculty portraits under three categories: Humanities: Emily Shortslef, Department of English. Natural and Mathematical Sciences: Erin Peters, Department of Chemistry; Terry Draper (Career Award), Department of Physics and Astronomy. Social and Behavioral Sciences: Lydia Pelot-Hobbs, Department of Geography.

Emily Shortslef – Department of English
Emily Shortslef is a faculty member in the Department of English, recognized for her outstanding teaching in the humanities. Her work focuses on English literature, and she is celebrated for her dedication to student learning and engagement.

 

Erin Peters – Department of Chemistry
Erin Peters serves in the Department of Chemistry, where she has been honored for her excellence in teaching within the natural and mathematical sciences. Her commitment to innovative and effective instruction distinguishes her among her peers.

 

Terry Draper – Department of Physics and Astronomy
Terry Draper is part of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and has received a CAREER Award, highlighting his significant contributions to teaching and research in the physical sciences.

 

Lydia Pelot-Hobbs – Department of Geography
Lydia Pelot-Hobbs, from the Department of Geography, has been recognized for her outstanding teaching in the social and behavioral sciences. She is known for her impactful courses and engagement with students.

 

Excellence in Teaching Large Courses Award

Image 2: Excellence in Teaching Large Courses Award Portrait of Jordan Brower, Department of English, with award title displayed above.

Jordan Brower – Department of English
Jordan Brower, a faculty member in the Department of English, has been awarded for excellence in teaching large courses, reflecting his skill in managing and inspiring students in high-enrollment classes.

 

Innovative Teaching Award

Image 3: Innovative Teaching Award Portrait of Brenna Byrd, Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, with award title above.

Brenna Byrd – Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Brenna Byrd is recognized with the Innovative Teaching Award for her creative approaches to language instruction and her commitment to advancing pedagogical practices in modern and classical languages.

 

Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentoring Awards

Image 4: Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentoring Awards Two portraits: Hugo Reyes-Centeno, Department of Anthropology; Mark Prendergast (Career Award), Department of Psychology.

Hugo Reyes-Centeno – Department of Anthropology
Hugo Reyes-Centeno, from the Department of Anthropology, has received the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award, acknowledging his mentorship and support of undergraduate research initiatives.

 

Mark Prendergast – Department of Psychology
Mark Prendergast, a faculty member in the Department of Psychology, is honored with both the CAREER Award and the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award for his contributions to research and student development.

 

Outstanding Graduate Student Mentoring Awards

Image 5: Outstanding Graduate Student Mentoring Awards Two portraits: Amy Taylor, Department of History; Christopher Pool (Career Award), Department of Anthropology.

Amy Taylor – Department of History
Amy Taylor, from the Department of History, has been recognized for her exceptional guidance of graduate students, earning the Outstanding Graduate Student Mentoring Award.

 

Christopher Pool – Department of Anthropology
Christopher Pool, a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology, is the recipient of a CAREER Award and the Outstanding Graduate Student Mentoring Award, reflecting his dual commitment to research and graduate mentorship.

 

Faculty Peer Mentoring Award

Image 6: Faculty Peer Mentoring Award Portrait of Sharon Yam, Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies.

Sharon Yam – Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies
Sharon Yam is recognized with the Faculty Peer Mentoring Award for her efforts in supporting and mentoring fellow faculty in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies.

 

Community of Belonging Award

Image 7: Community of Belonging Award Portrait of Lauren Whitehurst, Department of Psychology, with award title above.

Lauren Whitehurst – Department of Psychology

Lauren Whitehurst, Department of Psychology, has been honored with the Community of Belonging Award in recognition of her efforts to cultivate and strengthen a sense of belonging across the academic community.

 

Distinguished Service Award

Image 8: Distinguished Service Award Portrait of Ann Kingsolver, Department of Anthropology.

Ann Kingsolver – Department of Anthropology
Ann Kingsolver is honored with the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing her extensive service and contributions to the Department of Anthropology and the wider university community.

 

Distinguished Community Engagement Awards

Image 9: Distinguished Community Engagement Awards Two portraits: Bridgett King, Department of Political Science; Rich Schein (Career Award), Department of Geography.

Bridgett King – Department of Political Science
Bridgett King, a faculty member in the Department of Political Science, has received the Distinguished Community Engagement Award for her impactful work connecting the university with broader communities.

 

Rich Schein – Department of Geography
Rich Schein, from the Department of Geography, is recognized with a CAREER Award and the Distinguished Community Engagement Award, highlighting his achievements in both research and community engagement.