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College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Leadership Awards

Each year, the College of the Arts and Sciences recognizes distinguished students, faculty, and advisors for outstanding contributions to Kent State University and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Distinguished Teacher Award Nominations 2022

The College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Teacher Award is presented on behalf of the students, and it is very meaningful to the faculty.  Therefore, it is important that you consider your nominee(s) carefully.  The Distinguished Teacher should possess a comprehensive knowledge of his or her field, organize and present subject matter effectively, stimulate thinking, arouse interest, and demonstrate resourcefulness in teaching.

Any undergraduate or graduate student attending Kent State University may nominate an outstanding teacher in the College.  However, the teacher must be a full-time tenure- or non-tenure-track faculty member in a department in the College of Arts and Sciences.  

All nominations will be held in the strictest confidence.  The award recipient will be contacted by the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office

NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MONDAY, APRIL 4 AT 11:59 P.M.

Submit Your Distinguished Teacher Nomination 

Distinguished Advisor Award Nominations 2022

The College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Advisor Award is awarded to a College faculty member or a professional advisor. Since this award is presented on behalf of the students, it is very meaningful.  Therefore, it is important that student nominators consider the nominee(s) carefully.  The Distinguished Advisor should demonstrate a strong commitment to helping students achieve their academic and career goals. The advisor should also assist students in assessing and cultivating their interests and abilities.  

Any undergraduate or graduate student currently attending Kent State University may nominate an outstanding Arts & Sciences faculty member or professional advisor (1) who serves as their academic advisor and (2) who is a full time employee in the College of Arts and Sciences.

All nominations will be held in the strictest confidence.  The award recipient will be contacted by the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office.

NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MONDAY, APRIL 4 AT 11:59 P.M.

Submit Your Distinguished Advisor Nomination

If you have any questions regarding the Distinguished Teacher or Advisor application, please contact:

Matthew Minichillo, Assistant Dean

mminichi@kent.edu

 

2021 DISTINGUISHED AWARD RECIPIENTS

Distinguished Advisor Award

Award Recipient- Kristopher Braxton, Office of Undergraduate Advising & Student Services

This honor is awarded to a College faculty member or a professional advisor that demonstrates a strong commitment to developmental advising, helping students achieve their academic and career goals. The advisor assists students in assessing and cultivating their interests and abilities, and goes ‘above and beyond’ in their helpful and positive attitude regarding the guidance of students.  

Distinguished Teacher Award 

Award Recipient- Rajeev Rajaram, Associate Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences

This honor is awarded to an Arts and Sciences a full-time tenure- or non-tenure-track faculty who possess a comprehensive knowledge of his or her field, organize and present subject matter effectively, stimulate thinking, arouse interest, and demonstrate resourcefulness in teaching.  

Distinguished Student Award

This distinction is awarded to a senior with a 3.5 or higher GPA from academic departments in the College, who has shown outstanding leadership abilities in academic areas, student organizations, special projects, university service, community service, or other leadership areas.  Students are nominated by faculty in the department of their major.

Biological Sciences Department

Mathematical Sciences Department

Christopher Paul Vadala

Benjamin Mudrak
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department

Modern & Classical Language Studies Department

Thomas Sonnanstine

Lance Batton
Computer Science Department

School of Peace & Conflict Studies

Dawson Rivers

Margaret Straub
English Department

Philosophy Department

Tiera Moore

Elise Szabo
History Department

Political Sciences Department

Abby Cramer

Tiera Moore
2020 DISTINGUISHED AWARD RECIPIENTS

 

DISTINGUISHED ADVISOR AWARD

This honor is awarded to a College faculty member or a professional advisor that demonstrates a strong commitment to developmental advising, helping students achieve their academic and career goals. The advisor assists students in assessing and cultivating their interests and abilities, and goes ‘above and beyond’ in their helpful and positive attitude regarding the guidance of students.  

Ryan Miller- Department of English

DISTINGUISHED TEACHER AWARD

This honor is awarded to an Arts and Sciences a full-time tenure- or non-tenure-track faculty who possess a comprehensive knowledge of his or her field, organize and present subject matter effectively, stimulate thinking, arouse interest, and demonstrate resourcefulness in teaching. 

Jacquelyn Bleak- School of Peace & Conflict Studies

DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARDS

This distinction is awarded to a senior with a 3.5 or higher GPA from academic departments in the College, who has shown outstanding leadership abilities in academic areas, student organizations, special projects, university service, community service, or other leadership areas.  Students are nominated by faculty in the department of their major.

DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARD RECIPIENTS

Anthropology Department

Modern & Classical Language Studies Department

Evin Rae Hassel

Cameron Valone Stebbins

Biological Sciences Department

Pan-African Studies Department

Amanda Riley

Isaac Burns

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department

School of Peace & Conflict Studies

Samantha Horwitz

Jacob Dudley

Computer Science Department

Philosophy Department

Zachary Buchanan

Sadie Norton

English Department

Political Sciences Department

Nina Palattella

Jacob Dickey

Geology Department

Psychology Department

Matt Garlisi

Steven Neville

History Department

Sociology Department

Tara Huffman

Hannah M. Mahfeey
 
2019 DISTINGUISHED AWARD RECIPIENTS

DISTINGUISHED ADVISOR AWARD

This honor is awarded to a College faculty member or a professional advisor that demonstrates a strong commitment to developmental advising, helping students achieve their academic and career goals. The advisor assists students in assessing and cultivating their interests and abilities, and goes ‘above and beyond’ in their helpful and positive attitude regarding the guidance of students.  

Dr. Mark Lewis- Department of Mathematics

DISTINGUISHED TEACHER AWARD

This honor is awarded to an Arts and Sciences a full-time tenure- or non-tenure-track faculty who possess a comprehensive knowledge of his or her field, organize and present subject matter effectively, stimulate thinking, arouse interest, and demonstrate resourcefulness in teaching. 

Dr. David Singer- Department of Geology

DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARDS

This distinction is awarded to a senior with a 3.5 or higher GPA from academic departments in the College, who has shown outstanding leadership abilities in academic areas, student organizations, special projects, university service, community service, or other leadership areas.  Students are nominated by faculty in the department of their major.

Anthropology Department
Mathematical Sciences Department
Taylor Fedlt
Josie Sabatino
Biological Sciences Department
Modern and Classical Language Studies Department
Chase Steele
Kyle Simqu
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
Pan-African Studies Department
Katherine Greskovich
Dartalia Alati
Computer Science Department
Physics Department
Paul "P.J." Leyden
Jacob Paul Boyd
English Department
Political Sciences Department
Murphy Coleman
Padraigin O'Flynn
Geography Department
Psychology Department
Brian Persing
Monca Faust
Geology Department
School of Peace and Conflict Studies
Micholas Manning
Elizabeth Anne Schmidt
History Department
Sociology Department
Kevin Zezlina
Christina Watson
2018 DISTINGUISHED AWARD RECIPIENTS

DISTINGUISHED ADVISOR AWARD

Dr. James Tyner- Department of Geography

DISTINGUISHED TEACHER AWARD

Dr. John Johnson- Department of Biological Sciences

DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION ABROAD

Professor Chaya Kessler- Center for Comparative and Integrative Programs

DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Dr. Uma Krishnan- Department of English

DISTINGUISHED INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Lacy Talley- Cleveland, Ohio

DISTINGUISHED STUDENT AWARDS 

Anthropology Department
Mathematical Sciences Department
Leanna Maguire - Youngstown, Ohio
Mary Angelica Lucas- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Biological Sciences Department
Modern and Classical Language Studies Department
Madeline Frederick- Kent, Ohio
Julia Marchese - Mason, Ohio
Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
Pan-African Studies Department
Melissa Cregan- Strasburg, Ohio
Sameera Bowles- Akron, Ohio
Computer Science Department
Physics Department
Alexander D. Gajowski- North Olmstead, Ohio
Jacob Alexander Taylor- Stow, Ohio
English Department
Political Sciences Department
Brooke Mullins - Lordstown, Ohio
MJ Eckhouse- Hiram, Ohio
Geography Department
Psychology Department
Nicholas Miller - Fredonia, New York
Marie Childers- Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Geology Department
School of Peace and Conflict Studies
Konstantinos Kasimias- Youngstown, Ohio
Ines Delpech- Tandil, Argentina
History Department
Sociology Department
Yanchen Zhang- People’s Republic of China
Martin Brien Thompson II- Toronto, Ohio
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