Academic Professional Award for Excellence
The Academic Professional Award for Excellence recognizes members of staff who have a record of sustained professional excellence, significant positive impacts, and innovative contributions to their unit and college.
The 2024 recipient of the Academic Professional Award for Excellence is Kendra Shaffer, director of the TBH Business Services Center.
Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising
The Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising recognizes exceptional and sustained performance in academic advising and student support. This award recognizes an advisor who has made significant positive impacts on undergraduate students in the College of Fine and Applied Arts.
The 2024 recipient of the Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising is Rebecca Spennetta, undergraduate academic advisor in the School of Music.
Distinguished Staff Award
The Distinguished Staff Award recognizes Civil Service staff members who exhibit initiative and creativity resulting in improved operations in their unit, promote a respectful and supportive workplace, and act as mentors and role models for others.
The recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Staff Award is Natalie Fiol, assistant director for design.
Distinguished Staff Award
The Distinguished Staff Award recognizes Civil Service staff members who exhibit initiative and creativity resulting in improved operations in their unit, promote a respectful and supportive workplace, and act as mentors and role models for others.
The recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Staff Award is Nathan Mandel, operations manager for the School of Music.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Service
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Service recognizes faculty who have made especially significant contributions of leadership and service to their home unit or the college, or to agencies, schools, communities, businesses, or other external groups or individuals.
The recipient of the 2024 Faculty Award for Excellence in Service is Mary Edwards, associate professor and associate director of academic programs in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Research
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Research recognizes faculty members who have amassed a distinguished record of research and creative work, as demonstrated through publications, performances, or exhibitions; distinguished fellowships; successful grant applications; and invited presentations or performances.
The recipient of the 2024 Faculty Award in Excellence in Research for associate and full professors is Botond Bognar, professor emeritus and
Edgar A. Tafel Endowed Chair in Architecture.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Research
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Research recognizes faculty members who have amassed a distinguished record of research and creative work, as demonstrated through publications, performances, or exhibitions; distinguished fellowships; successful grant applications; and invited presentations or performances.
The recipient of the 2024 Faculty Award in Excellence in Research for assistant professors is Magdalena Novoa, assistant professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated consistent excellent performance in teaching, has made a demonstrable positive impact on students in the classroom and through advising and mentoring, has used innovative approaches in teaching, and has made significant contributions to the development of the curriculum.
The recipient of the 2024 Faculty Award in Excellence in Teaching is Lindsay Braun, assistant professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
Specialized Faculty Award for Excellence
The Specialized Faculty Award for Excellence recognizes instructors, lecturers, clinical and teaching professors who demonstrate excellence through their positive impact on students in the classroom, influential advising and mentoring, and innovative curricular development and teaching approaches.
The recipient of the 2024 Specialized Faculty Award for Excellence is Fang Fang, teaching assistant professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning.
2023 College Excellence Winners
Academic Professional Award for Excellence
Maureen Warren, curator of European and American Art before 1850 at the Krannert Art Museum
Distinguished Staff Award
David Holzner, security and facilities supervisor at Krannert Art Museum
Faculty Award for Excellence in Service
Kevin Erickson, associate professor in the School of Architecture
Faculty Award for Excellence in Research
Nisi Sturgis, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre
Specialized Faculty Award for Excellence
Heather Grossman, teaching assistant professor in the School of Architecture
2022 College Excellence Winners
Academic Professional Award for Excellence
La Tanya Cobb, Associate Director of Student Services in the School of Architecture
Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising
Bryan VanGinhoven, Academic Advisor in the School of Art & Design
Distinguished Staff Award
Julia Kelly, Assistant Director for Marketing and Communication at Krannert Art Museum
Faculty Award for Excellence in Service
Jeffrey Jenkins, Professor in the Department of Theatre
Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching
Tere O’Connor, Professor in the Department of Dance
Faculty Award in Excellence in Research
Yun Kyu Yi, Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture
Faculty Award in Excellence in Research
Yvonne Redman, Associate Professor of Voice in the School of Music
Specialized Faculty Award for Excellence
AnnaMarie Bliss, Lecturer in the School of Architecture