University Awards of Excellence & Years of Service Recognition
Friday, April 10
10:30 a.m.
Fine Arts Auditorium on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah
with lunch immediately following in the Armstrong Center Ballroom
About the University Awards of Excellence
The University’s Awards of Excellence are designed to identify and reward individuals that make outstanding contributions to the success of Georgia Southern University.
Through this celebratory awards process and ceremony, Georgia Southern promotes employee engagement by recognizing individuals whose performance and contributions align to the University’s values.
2025 – 2026 University Awards of Excellence Recipients
Innovation & Discovery
University Award of Excellence in Innovation & Discovery
This award honors a faculty and staff member who advance knowledge and foster transformative outcomes through creativity, collaboration, and strategic investment. Nominees may demonstrate excellence through academic research, applied inquiry, data-informed improvements, or creative initiatives that strengthen institutional processes, enrich scholarship, and positively impact stakeholders within and beyond the university.
Valentin Soloiu, Faculty
Distinguished Chair, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Valentin Soloiu is a tenured professor with 30 years of university teaching and research experience, including 17 years at Georgia Southern University. He has collaborated with students and faculty to publish more than 200 peer-reviewed papers and 40 contract research studies on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and climate change mitigation technologies. He has authored 12 textbooks and instructional manuals in the field of energy and has led the establishment and ongoing development of the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing’s state-of-the-art, multi-million-dollar energy laboratories. Committed to advancing knowledge, science and technology, Dr. Soloiu has established numerous laboratories at Georgia Southern that support academic research, enrich scholarship, and benefit shareholders across Georgia and beyond. These research labs include Aerospace; Fundamental Combustion; Automotive; Virtual Systems and Perception; Noise and Vibrations in Gas Turbines; Autonomous Navigation; Mie Scattering; and Heat, Ventilation & Air Conditioning.
Ryan Gilbert, Staff
Associate Athletics Director
Ryan Gilbert, Associate Director for Student-Athlete Services, oversees the daily operations that support the academic success of Georgia Southern’s student-athletes. He has been an Eagle since 2018 and earned his MBA from Georgia Southern in 2022. In his role, Ryan leverages data and analytics to identify historical trends and anticipate future academic support needs. He also tracks ongoing progress through a personalized, self-designed dashboard that provides insights into a variety of day-to-day analytics.
Mobility
University Award of Excellence in Economic and Social Mobility
his award honors a faculty and staff member whose work significantly strengthens economic, professional, or social mobility for individuals within or beyond Georgia Southern. Nominees create opportunities, provide mentorship, or implement programs that prepare individuals for workforce success, career advancement, and meaningful participation in a rapidly changing world.
Richard Cleveland, Faculty
Associate Professor, Counselor Education
Richard Cleveland serves as Director of the Professional School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentrations within the Counselor Education MEd program in the College of Education. He is also the lead mental health and resilience researcher with the university’s Tactical & Occupational Performance Institute in the Waters College of Health Professions. Richard’s work centers on preparing practitioners who provide mental health services in public schools, clinical agencies, military settings, law enforcement, and firefighting environments. Whether teaching in the classroom, conducting field-based research, or serving regional partners, he is committed to elevating others through his scholarship and service.
Heather Shelly, Staff
Associate Vice President, Financial Aid and Enrollment Services
Heather Shelly serves as Associate Vice President for Financial Aid and Enrollment Services at Georgia Southern University and has dedicated more than two decades to helping students access and afford higher education. She began her career in financial aid in 2002 as a front-line counselor at a small ECO college in northern Wisconsin and has served in roles across the profession, including coordinator, assistant director, compliance officer, and director. Since joining Georgia Southern in 2016, she has led initiatives that strengthen financial aid operations, expand access to funding, and support students in overcoming financial barriers as they pursue their educational goals. Her work reflects a deep commitment to creating opportunities that empower students and advance economic and social mobility.
People
University Award of Excellence in People and Community Development
This award honors a faculty and staff member who demonstrate initiative, compassion, and dedication to improving the well-being of others. Nominees help build healthier, more collaborative environments by strengthening their teams, departments, or the broader university community and fostering a welcoming, supportive culture.
Taylor Norman, Faculty
Associate Professor, Middle Grades and Secondary Education
Dr. Taylor Norman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Middle Grades and Secondary Education in the College of Education. As a former high school English teacher, Dr. Norman’s expertise lies in English language arts teacher education. She holds a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction, English Education from Purdue University, and joined Georgia Southern University in 2018. Her research interests include teacher identity, professional resilience, and youth advocacy. Dr. Norman’s service is marked by servant leadership, leading curricular revisions as the Middle Grades Education Program Director in her department, and co-chairing the College of Education’s National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference (NYAR). In this recent year, she developed the inaugural NYAR LEAD youth summit, where youth presenters and participants came together at the NYAR conference to learn from and with each other. Overall, Dr. Norman’s work advances people and community through collaboration and targeted impact.
McKenzie Peterman, Staff
Associate Director, Career Development and Instruction
Dr. McKenzie Peterman brings 18 years of progressive experience in higher education, with a demonstrated commitment to student success through career development, academic advising, enrollment services, and belonging initiatives. In addition to her administrative leadership, Dr. Peterman contributes broadly to the university community through service and instruction. She teaches courses that prepare students for post-graduation pathways, advises student organizations, and serves in dual capacities on the University Conduct Board. Dr. Peterman is also an active member of the University Staff Council, serving both as a general body member and as a member of the executive board. Beyond the university, Dr. Peterman contributes to the profession through her service on conference planning committees and presentations and her involvement with community organizations surrounding the Georgia Southern campuses. She is committed to cultivating environments that empower students to grow in confidence, both personally and professionally, as they navigate their journey as lifelong learners.
Academic Excellence
University Award of Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Development
This award honors a faculty member whose innovative teaching practices, scholarly engagement, and commitment to student success enhance the academic experience. Nominees demonstrate mastery of their discipline and employ evidence-based, high-impact strategies that inspire students and support the university’s mission of transformative education.
Anna Brady, Faculty
Assistant Professor, Education Psychology
Dr. Anna C. Brady is an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology in the College of Education, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on learning, motivation, and classroom assessment. Her instruction is grounded in empirical research and designed to support students’ motivation, learning, and progression through their programs. She emphasizes prior knowledge, reflective practice, and inclusive learning environments, creating courses where students feel valued and connected. Beyond her teaching, Dr. Brady plays a key role in supporting programs across the College. She has designed new courses, supported first-year student success initiatives, and mentored undergraduate researchers and graduate students, serving on multiple Ed.D. committees. Her leadership extends nationally through service to the American Educational Research Association’s Teaching of Educational Psychology Special Interest Group, where she has served as Program Chair, Chair, and Immediate Past Chair. Across her work, Dr. Brady is committed to supporting student success and advancing evidence-based teaching in educational psychology.
Deborah Walker, Staff
Instructional Services Coordinator
Deborah Walker serves as Instructional Services Coordinator in the Faculty Center, where she designs and facilitates high‑impact professional learning experiences for faculty, including workshops, book discussions, Professional Development Days, and New Faculty Orientation. She also provides individualized instructional support through consultations, classroom observations, and student feedback, while fostering campus‑wide collaboration in her role as a USG Affordable Learning Georgia Design Champion. Deborah serves as Administrative Chair for the international SoTL Commons Conference, strengthening scholarly engagement and expanding the university’s global presence in teaching and learning. A key innovator, she led the development of the Faculty Center’s distinctive faculty badging system. She holds an M.Ed. from Georgia Southern University, grounding her work in both practical experience and a deep commitment to advancing excellence in teaching.
Collaboration
University Award of Excellence in Collaboration and Partnership
This award honors a faculty and staff member who strengthens connections through shared governance and community or campus partnerships. Nominees bring people together to achieve shared goals, build bridges across departments or disciplines, and expand Georgia Southern’s reach through meaningful engagement.
Ed Mondor, Faculty
Assistant Professor, Biology
Ed Mondor earned a BSc in Psychology with a minor in Botany from Brandon University (1993), a MSc in Zoology from the University of Alberta (1996), and a PhD from Simon Fraser University (2001), where he studied alarm signaling behavior in aphids. He completed postdoctoral training at the University of Calgary and the University of Wisconsin–Madison and worked as a Junior Entomologist at the University of Hawaii before joining Georgia Southern University in 2006. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, interim Director of the Center for Forensic Sciences, and Chair of the University System of Georgia (USG) Faculty Council. He has authored more than 45 peer-reviewed publications and is the only practicing forensic entomologist in Georgia, having contributed expert analysis to nearly 40 death investigations, including 10 homicides.
Corine Ackerson-Jones, Staff
Director, TRIO Student Support Services
Corine Ackerson-Jones is the Director of the TRIO Student Support Services – Armstrong and Liberty campuses. She is also a former USG Executive Leadership Institute Scholar. For 20 years, she has served students and collaborated with faculty and staff at Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University in multiple roles, demonstrating a deep commitment to student success and institutional excellence. During her tenure, she secured a $1.2 million TRIO Student Support Services grant providing academic support for students who are low-income, first-generation, or have disabilities and a $1.6 million CCAMPIS grant providing childcare subsidies for low-income undergraduate student parents to offset childcare costs while pursuing their education. Her engagement in the Savannah community includes serving on several boards, including the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club and Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity. Through her leadership, she fosters collaboration, builds lasting partnerships, and advances the University’s impact on campus and throughout the community.
Transparency & Integrity
University Award of Excellence in Leadership
This award honors a faculty and staff member who advance knowledge and foster transformative outcomes through creativity, collaboration, and strategic investment. Nominees may demonstrate excellence through academic research, applied inquiry, data-informed improvements, or creative initiatives that strengthen institutional processes, enrich scholarship, and positively impact stakeholders within and beyond the university.
Beth Howells, Faculty
Department Chair and Professor, English
Dr. Elizabeth Howells is a Professor of English and Chair of the Department of English. In her 25th year of service to the institution, she previously served in leadership roles as the Director of First-Year Composition, interim Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and Chair of Languages, Literature, & Philosophy, all on the Armstrong campus. Following the first university consolidation, she served as Chair of Literature and interim Chair of Writing & Linguistics before occupying her current position. Beth has served as Chair of the Regents’ Advisory Council for English at the state level and on the Executive Board of the Association of Departments of English for the Modern Literature Association at the national level in past roles. When she is not administrating, she turns her attention to teaching as well as scholarship on nineteenth-century British literature.
Kiera Stansell, Staff
Employee Relations Manager
Kiera Stansell is the Employee Relations Manager at Georgia Southern University, strengthening workplace culture through ethical leadership, transparent decision-making, and consistent accountability. A proud Double Eagle who has been part of the Georgia Southern community since 2012, Stansell is a first-generation college graduate originally from South Africa and brings a unique perspective to leadership and people development. She is energized by complex challenges and passionate about helping individuals grow in confidence as professionals and members of our university community. In her role within Human Resources, Stansell partners with employees and leaders across the institution to navigate sensitive workplace matters while reinforcing professionalism, accountability, and informed leadership practices. She is also the creator and facilitator of Respond vs. React – Managing Emotions for Professional Success, a professional development program that helps employees build self-awareness, manage emotional responses, and navigate workplace conversations more effectively.
Sustainability
University Award of Excellence in Sustainable Stewardship
This award honors a faculty and staff member who demonstrate responsible resource management and long-term thinking that promotes resilience and supports the continued success of the university and surrounding communities. Nominees integrate sustainability into teaching, research, operations, or planning to support thoughtful use of environmental, financial, and human resources.
Lacey Huffling, Faculty
Associate Professor, Science Education
Dr. Lacey D. Huffling is an Associate Professor of Science Education in the Department of Middle Grades and Secondary Education. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and joined Georgia Southern in 2015. Since coming to Georgia Southern, she has secured more than $4.5 million in external funding to enhance student and teacher access to sustainability education, research, and community science. Dr. Huffling is committed to integrating sustainability into her Georgia Southern courses and is a dedicated student mentor. As the 2025 Georgia Project WET Facilitator of the Year and 2020 Jack Miller Educator of the Year, Dr. Huffling is recognized for her systemic impact on institutional resilience and sustainability.
Joann Cottrell, Staff
Tutoring Services Coordinator – Armstrong
Joann Cottrell serves as the Tutoring Services Coordinator for the Academic Success Center on the Armstrong Campus. A proud 2018 alumna and dedicated member of the Georgia Southern community for nearly 10 years, Joann has supported student success through multiple roles focused on academic support and student engagement. In her current role, she oversees tutoring operations, supervises peer tutors and graduate assistants, and collaborates with faculty and campus partners to expand access to academic support services. Since stepping into the role in December 2024, Joann has helped revitalize Tutoring Services on the Armstrong Campus through thoughtful leadership, increased student outreach, strategic campus partnerships, and sustainable program development. Her efforts have strengthened tutor retention, expanded student engagement, and supported meaningful growth in tutoring participation. Joann’s commitment to responsible resource management and people-centered leadership exemplifies the True Blue spirit of Georgia Southern.
Outstanding Endeavor Award
University Award of Excellence in John D. and Meryln J. Denitto Outstanding Endeavor Award
This award recognizes a Georgia Southern employee whose ideas and/or actions have made a significant aesthetic contribution to the University.
Nandi Marshall, Faculty
Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Professor of Health Policy and Community Health
Dr. Nandi A. Marshall is a community-engaged scholar and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH) at Georgia Southern University. A Professor in Health Policy and Community Health, she currently serves as President of the American Public Health Association. With more than 22 years of experience, Dr. Marshall is a champion for the “Public Health Lens,” centering lived experience and translating research into equity-focused practice. Her scholarship uses qualitative methods, like photovoice, to address social determinants of health. At Georgia Southern, Dr. Marshall has secured millions in funding to launch community initiatives and provide scholarships for JPHCOPH students. A proud alumna, she holds a DrPH from Georgia Southern, an MPH from East Stroudsburg University, and a BA from Spelman College. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist, a Certified Lactation Counselor, and a Certified Diversity Executive.
Team Award
University Award of Excellence in Collective Impact
This award honors a team, department, unit, or collaborative group whose collective efforts exemplify Georgia Southern University’s I.M.P.A.C.T.S. values. Teams nominated for this recognition demonstrate exceptional commitment to creating a positive campus environment, enhancing student and employee experiences, advancing institutional goals, and achieving measurable outcomes through shared purpose and innovation.
Team Members
Vertically Integrated Projects
Dr. Shainaz Landge, Dr. Gwendolyn Carroll, Dr. Heidi Eisenreich, Dr. Anthony Siccardi, Dr. Heather Joestin, Ms. Brigette Brinton, Dr. Dragos Amarie, Dr. Mark Dela Cerna, Dr. Rocio Perez, Dr. Sara Gremillion, Dr. Urkovia Andrews, Dr. Kristina Patterson, Dr. Stetson Rowles, Dr. David Weindorf, Dr. Karin Fisher, Ms. Suzanne S. Hallman, Dr. Hossein Taheri, Dr. Meenaloshini Vimal Cruz, Dr. Jianzhou He, Dr. Vijayalakshmi Ramasamy, Dr. Stephen Griffin, Dr. Jorge Villa Vargas, Dr. Brian Koehler, and Dr. Jessica Orvis
The Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) Program at Georgia Southern University exemplifies the highest standard of collective impact through its intentional alignment with university mission and values. As a globally established and evaluated model, VIP enhances high impact practices by engaging undergraduate students in long-term, large-scale, interdisciplinary research teams led by faculty mentors. Since its launch in Fall 2022 with four teams, the program has expanded to 15 teams as of Spring 2026, impacting 258 students in just three and a half years. This growth reflects the dedication of student research scholars and faculty mentors, who collectively ensure that teams function effectively, students are supported, and research progresses meaningfully each semester. The VIP Program has become a signature model of collaboration, innovation, and student-centered excellence at Georgia Southern. The program’s inclusive design ensures that students from all majors and academic levels can participate, fostering belonging and academic confidence.
Years of Service
*As of December 31, 2025
40 Years
- Barry Hackle
35 Years
- Lorraine Braselton
- Diana Cone
- Mark Edwards
- Rachel Green
- John Hatem
- James Smith
- Stephen Vives
- Janice Zeigler
30 Years
- Barry Balleck
- Tina Brookins
- Kathleen Crawford
- Michelle Groover
- Joseph Habersham
- Erik Nordenhaug
- Theresa Novotny
- Patrick Novotny
- Eugene Sherry
- Cathy Skidmore-Hess
- Xiao-Jun Wang
- Belinda Wilson
25 Years
- Scott Beck
- Jodi Caldwell
- Christopher Caplinger
- Jill Forehand
- Julia Griffin
- Clayton Heller
- Melissa Jackson
- Susan Kirk
- Nancy Malcom
- Catherine McGibony
- Michael McGrath
- Leticia McGrath
- Bridget Melton
- Gustavo Molina
- Marla Morris
- Steven Moss
- Constantin Ogloblin
- Karl Peace
- Delana Schartner
- Stuart Tedders
- Brent Tharp
- Meca Williams-Johnson
- Yan Wu
20 Years
- Heidi Altman
- Brett Bacon
- William Baird
- Ted Brimeyer
- Gerard Burke
- Sungkon Chang
- Justine Coleman
- Tyson Davis
- Elizabeth Desnoyers-Colas
- Simon Driggers
- Brent Feske
- Antonio Frison
- Kymberly Harris
- Allen Henderson
- Ann Henderson
- Karen Hilde
- Martha Hughes
- Tiffany Land
- Jun Liu
- Lawrence Locker
- Shecara Lovett
- Scott Mateer
- Lance McBrayer
- Vera Mobley
- Deidra Newson
- Johnathan O’Neill
- John Peden
- Greer Rahn
- Leigh Rich
- Samantha Rossi
- Junan Shen
- Stephanie Sipe
- Solomon Smith
- Lowell Sneathen
- Ronald Stalnaker
- Kelly Tharp
- Tiffanie Townsend
- Chrystina Wilson
- Rongrong Zhang
- Jiehua Zhu
15 Years
- Ashlea Anderson
- Dennis Baker
- Russell Bozeman
- Janice Brown
- Jose Colon Gaud
- David Culpepper
- Geneva DeMars
- Megan Douberly
- Theresa Duggar
- Mirian Eason
- Katrina Embrey
- Melissa Gast-Goodman
- Caroline Glover
- Katy Gregg
- Patricia Hall
- Angelia Huggins
- Sarah Jeffers
- Carla Jeffreys
- Jeffrey Klibert
- Shainaz Landge
- Jody Langdon
- Johanne Lewis
- Amy Luna
- Patrick Mascoll
- James McGee
- Jessica McLaughlin
- Daniel McNair
- Katie Mercer
- Andrew Merrifield
- Kimberly Packer
- Nathan Palmer
- Aron Pease
- Christopher Peterson
- Paul Reaves
- Sarah Rene
- Jessica Rigg
- Ramon Roberson
- Patrick Robertson
- Biswanath Samanta
- Ricky Sapp
- April Schueths
- Tonya Sellars
- Mohammed Abid Shaikh
- Annie Shuman
- Eric Silva
- Kathlyn Smith
- Danielle Smith
- Jenifer Stocking
- Celena Thornton
- Thomas Thurson
- Michael Tiemeyer
- Anthony Tremble
- Charish Williams
- Christy Yother
10 Years
- Trip Addison
- Casey Altman
- Autumn Anthony
- Omid Ardakani
- James Ashley
- Craig Aumack
- Sara Bath
- William Biebuyck
- Patricia Bishop
- Virginie Bleneau
- Megan Bowen
- Kristin Boylston
- Kristi Bragg
- Benelda Brannam
- Victoria Brannen
- Monica Brister
- Ronnie Brunson
- Mary Byrd
- Felisha Caine
- John Carroll
- Lei Chen
- Jung Choi
- Kay Coates
- Franklin Collins
- Christopher Colson
- Tonya Cooper
- Cassie Corbin
- Encarnacion Cruz Jimenez
- Dean Cummings
- Bo Dai
- Wesley Dasher
- Adam Davis
- Kristen Dickens
- William Dowis
- Lisa Dusenberry
- Kaitlyn Fester
- Grant Gearhart
- Gina Germani
- Haijun Gong
- Crystal Goode
- Daniel Gray
- Steve Guggino
- Latosha Hagins
- Susan Hamilton
- Laurie Hartlett
- Matthew Hashiguchi
- Blake Hicks
- Lashanda Hicks-Griffin
- Abbey Hoekzema
- Jason Hoelscher
- Lacey Huffling
- Heather Huling
- Tamerah Hunt
- John Isaacs
- Shawn Jackson
- Karla Jennings
- Lucas Jensen
- Weston Johnson
- Bryan Johnston
- Devon Jones
- John Jones
- Steven Juneau
- John Kafader
- Linda Kimsey
- Gretchen Kingery
- Roxanna Little
- Brandon Loper
- Johnny Lowery
- Stephanie Mason
- Mallory McLendon
- Kelly McMillan
- Blake Mercer
- Nick Moazzam
- Jessica Mock
- Jeffrey Mortimore
- Jessica Mutchler
- Claire Nelson
- Margaret Olsen
- William Osborne
- Alexander Ours
- Charles Owens
- John Pate
- Mary Peacock
- Demarr Pierce
- Mary Prude
- Laura Reefer
- Joseph Roberts
- Rebecca Robinson
- Nathaniel Shank
- David Sikora
- Melanie Simon
- James Sironen
- Donald Slone
- Katharine Slone
- Janel Smith
- Justin Sowell
- Nicholas Sparacio
- Katina Starks
- Maureen Stobb
- Jonathan Swaby
- Kimberly Swanson
- Teresa Tatmon
- Henry Tecklenburg
- Kimberly Tecklenburg
- Billy Thomas
- Clare Ursillo
- Marieke Van Willigen
- Patricia Wall
- Clare Walsh
- Catawba Walton
- Divine Wanduku
- Kai Wang
- Caysi Warren
- Casey Weaver
- Sean Willett
- Jeffery Williams
- Vickie Williams
- Glenn Wilson
- Hayden Wimmer
- Jennifer Wise
- Mary Yarbrough
- Yuting Zou
5 years
- Christopher Adams
- Erica Bartels
- Steve Bartels
- Telisha Beatty
- Brandon Bowen
- Jonathan Boykin
- Caitlin Brady
- David Brickey
- Tammy Brinson
- Craig Brown
- Jakita Bryant
- Carol Bynes
- Domenic Cerrone
- Katherine Cornett
- Natalie Coto
- Christa Cranford
- Jeremy Davis
- Christopher Davis
- Stacy Davis
- Akiv Dawson
- Sarah Filas
- Gwendolyn Fletcher
- Jonathan Friedel
- Daniel Gambacorta
- Alison Gould
- Andrew Harris
- Bradley Hires
- Madison Holmes
- Jeffrey Hoopes
- Mandy Hubbard
- Jadeshala Humphries
- Melissa Joiner
- Calvin Joyce
- Gulver Karamemis
- Jongyeop Kim
- Akilah King
- Kyra Larry
- Kelli Lemieux
- Janie Shay Little
- Dantrell Maeweather
- Savannah Marsh
- Zachary Matzen
- Kaitlyn Meyers
- Marissa Milton
- Atef Mohamed
- Edward Muhammad
- Christopher Olson
- Loriann Phillips
- Munshi Rahman
- Nicolette Rickert
- Melanie Rivera
- Larry Roberson
- Shirley Roberts
- Christina Rodriguez
- Ricky Sapp II
- Montana Smithey
- Kristen Spiridon
- Kiera Stansell
- Neisha Sullivan
- Emily Tanner
- Mark Taracuk
- Mary Beth Thaxton
- Paul Tschida
- Daniel Vickery
- Andrea Willingham