About the awards:
The awards aim to acknowledge the exemplary work of individuals who have made significant contributions to students' academic and professional growth, the college and the University. The awards recognize the recipients' outstanding work in teaching, research, scholarship and creative activities.
"We are extremely proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these individuals," says Dr. Carla Koretsky, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "Their hard work and dedication to our students and the college are truly exemplary. We are grateful for their contributions, which have helped elevate the reputation of the College of Arts and Sciences and Western Michigan University as a whole."
2025-2026 Award Winners
2026 Faculty and Staff Achievement Award Winners
Faculty Achievement Award Research and Creative Activity
Dr. Cindy Linn, Department of Biological Sciences
Faculty Achievement Award Research and Creative Activity
Dr. Jesse Smith, Department of Sociology
Excellence in Promoting Student Success Award
Catherine Gonzalez, College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Advising
Faculty Achievement Award in Promoting Student Success
Dr. Ángela Pérez-Villa, Department of History
Faculty Awards
Diversity and Inclusion
2024 – Dr. Amy Damashek, Department of Psychology
2023 – Dr. Meghann Meeusen, Department of English
2020 – Dr. Linda Borish, Department of History
2019 – Dr. Alisa Perkins, Department of Comparative Religion
Global Engagement
2019 – Dr. Vincent Desroches, World Languages and Literatures
Professional and Community Service
2024 – Dr. Leah Omilion-Hodges, School of Communication
2023 – Dr. Bill Warren, Department of History
2022 – Dr. Sally Hadden, Department of History
2021 – Dr. Amy Naugle, Department of Psychology
2020 – Dr. Jonathan Bush, Department of English
2019 – Dr. Sandra Borden, School of Communication
Teaching
2025 – Dr. Zoann Snyder, Department of Sociology
2025 – Dr. Nicholas Padilla, School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability
2024 – Dr. Kevin Lee, Department of Statistics
2023 – Dr. Olivia Gabor–Peirce, World Languages and Literatures
2022 – Dr. Cybelle Shattuck, Department of Comparative Religion
2021 – Dr. Steven Bertman, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
2020 – Dr. Tabitha Mingus, Department of Mathematics
2019 – Dr. Scott Gaynor, Department of Psychology
Research and Creative Activity
2024 – Dr. Germán Zárate Sández, Department of Spanish
2023 – Dr. Shu Yang, World Languages and Literatures
2022 – Dr. Kristina Wirtz, Department of Spanish
2021 – Dr. Leah Omilion-Hodges, School of Communication
2020 – Dr. Mercedes Tubino, Department of Spanish
2019 – Dr. Mustafa Mughazy, World Languages and Literatures
Part-time Instructor Excellence
2025 – Véronique Jewell, World Languages and Literatures
2024 – Sabine Lenzner, World Languages and Literatures
2023 – Judge Paul Bridenstine, Department of Political Science
2021 – Dr. Thomas Kostrzewa, Global and International Studies
2019 – Dr. Elise DeCamp, Institute for Intercultural and Anthropological Studies
Excellence in Promoting Student Success Award
2024 – Dr. Tiffany Schriever, Department of Biological Sciences
2023 – Dr. Lisa Baker, Department of Psychology
2023 – Megan Larson, Department of Biological Sciences
2022 – Dr. Julie Apker, School of Communication
Staff Awards
Diversity and Inclusion Staff Recognition Award
2023 – Lisah Crall, College of Arts and Sciences
2018 – Kaycie Ohmart, Department of Psychology
Staff Excellence Award
2025 – Cindy Hetrick, College of Arts and Sciences Budget Office
2024 – Jennifer Trout, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
2023 – Kim Tembreull, Department of Psychology
2022 – Kelly Dey, Department of Economics
2021 – Kayla Mitchell, College of Arts and Sciences Advising
2021 – Dr. Kourtney Bakalyar, Department of Psychology
2020 – Dr. J. Adam Bennett, Department of Psychology
2019 – Allan Kern, Department of Physics
Excellence in Promoting Student Success Award
2025 – Nathan Robinson, College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Advising
2022 – Lindsey Millet, Office of Undergraduate Advising
Student Awards
Diversity and Inclusion Student Writing Award
Graduate Student Recipients
2023 – Kyle Vanderwall, Department of History
2022 – Grecia Sánchez Blanco, Department of Philosophy
2021 – David Birkam, School of Communication
2021 – Nina Morris, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Undergraduate Student Recipients
2023 – Jenna Ellis, Department of English
2022 – Rian Johnson, School of Communication