2024 Awards and Recognition Nominations
DR. DINI METRO-ROLAND | ESPRIT DE CORPS AWARD
Dr. Dini Metro-Roland is a professor of educational foundations and coordinator of graduate programs in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies. As anyone who knows him is aware, he does his work with positivity, dry humor and with no need to draw others’ attention to his efforts. One portion of his work is aligned with bringing opportunities to individuals who are incarcerated. In partnership with his doctoral student, Dale Brown, he wrote and received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant which funds teaching the humanities in prison settings. Their steadfast commitment to the transformative power of higher education led to the establishment of Higher Education for the Justice-involved and Western’s newest branch campus, WMU-Coldwater, located inside the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan. The program provides incarcerated individuals the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree from Western. Their first cohort of 25 students comprises different ages, backgrounds and experiences. Additionally, Dr. Metro-Roland has worked with Dr. Candy McCorkle, WMU’s vice president for diversity and inclusion, to secure funding mentoring first generation and minority students within the TLES department. Equally important to all of this noticeable work are the many smaller ways that he contributes to maintaining a positive culture in his department. This is evident by his involvement in welcoming and mentoring new faculty by providing them with one-on-one support and information during their first years at WMU. His experience and even demeanor make him a highly sought after source of advice by untenured faculty. Dr. Metro-Roland is cheerful, positive and kind. He truly cares about his colleagues and reaches out when knows they are facing challenges. His warm-heartedness goes a long way in creating a community of learners who support one another and work together within the TLES department.
BEN HOLLAND | STAFF EXCELLENCE
Ben Holland is the administrative assistant for the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology (ELRT). With unwavering dedication, exceptional organizational skills, and an innate ability to foster a positive work environment, Holland has consistently demonstrated his indispensable value to not only the department but to the college as well. His tireless efforts to support faculty, staff, and students alike have not gone unnoticed, as he has become an integral part of the departments and its programs overall success. Holland’s commitment to excellence extends beyond his own department, as he readily offers his assistance and expertise to other departments, exemplifying the spirit of collaboration and teamwork. Moreover, Holland has taken it upon himself to become a content expert in various processes, generously sharing his knowledge and experience to help train and mentor other administrative assistants, ensuring the continued success of the administrative support team. Most recently, Holland has served as administrative assistant to multiple departments that have had vacancies, taking on an additional workload with ease, grace and professionalism. Always looking for ways to improve, Holland proactively develops and implements new processes and practices that streamline operations and enhance efficiency within the department, with many of these innovative solutions being so effective that they have been adopted by other departments throughout the college. A leader and a team player, Holland is constantly creating a positive work environment for everyone in the department and college. This well-deserved recognition serves as a testament to his outstanding contributions and his commitment to excellence in his role.
dr. Emily curiel | trailblazer award
Dr. Emily Curiel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies, with a focus on special education. Although Dr. Curiel is an early career faculty member she has written over 20 peer-reviewed publications and has 17 conference presentations. Furthermore, she was recently added as a consulting editor to Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. Additionally, Dr. Curiel is co-principal investigator on two grants with awards totaling over 1.5 million dollars. Her impressive research agenda focuses on teaching language and play skills to young children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities using matrix training. Matrix training is an innovative teaching strategy that helps practitioners organize (a) teaching targets and (b) the sequence of teaching, specifically for the purpose of facilitating the emergence of untrained targets. Matrix training provides for efficient and generalized language learning, which is especially important for young children with language delays. Dr. Curiel has published a systematic literature review and four empirical studies on matrix training in peer reviewed journals. These have included the Journal of Early Intervention and Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, both of which are top journals in the field of early intervention and autism and only accept high-caliber research articles. Publication in these journals show the high quality of Dr. Curiel’s research which can then inform others who are conducting research on matrix training. As part of a collaborative team, she has assessed different characteristics of authors who have published in national and international journals, specifically noting the roles of gender and geographical affiliation. Her work has provided objective data regarding the participation of authors, trends across time, and areas for growth related to diversity and equity. Dr. Curiel’s work is directly related to the well-being of people who have historically been disadvantaged and is a testament to her courageous character.
DR. MEREDITH REINHART | STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AWARD
Dr. Meredith Reinhart is an assistant professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies. As the elementary science education expert within the department, she has spearheaded numerous community outreach initiatives to engage non-profit agencies and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals in the community. Dr. Reinhart’s expertise in strengthening community connections is best demonstrated through her research that is tightly aligned with teaching and service to the community. Recently, she helped secure a $500,000 grant for the INSPIRE Program and will serve as the principal investigator. Related to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Poverty Task Force Report’s goals and recommendations, INSPIRE will provide STEM education professional development for over 100 Pre-K-3 teachers/principals and facilitate multiple community STEM events for their students. INSPIRE will directly provide learning opportunities for over 3,000 families across the Kalamazoo and Comstock Communities. Furthermore, Dr. Reinhart has started numerous community partnerships, including the Kalamazoo Nature Center, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, KVCC Food Innovation Center, and the AirZoo. Through these partnerships and partnerships with local K-12 school districts, WMU students will be able to enjoy unique opportunities like internships and hands-on research participation. Perhaps most impressively, Dr. Reinhart has accomplished all of this while teaching a full load and sometimes overage loads to support student success. She has also orchestrated all these partnerships while modeling ethical and humble leadership. Her students have gone on to serve underprivileged schools, ecological initiatives, and pursuits in STEM inquiry programs locally and while studying abroad.
DR. RAMONA LEWIS | MULTICULTURAL AWARD FOR GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT
Dr. Ramona Lewis is a master faculty specialist in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology. She advises and teaches undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. students and is the graduate director for the higher education and student affairs (HESA) leadership program. Dr. Lewis is passionate about broadening opportunities for first-generation and at-promise students to engage in international education experiences. Dr. Lewis is currently the faculty director of a uniquely designed study abroad course for the Seita Scholars, a group of students with experience in foster care. Each year, 12 Scholars will travel to the Dominican Republic to meet with policy makers, complete a service project with youth and network with WMU alumni. Exposing Western students to international programming is a passion of hers as she has co-designed and led three different study-abroad programs in Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Dominican Republic during her time at Western. In addition, Dr. Lewis has developed and taught several globally focused courses, expanded the number of global internship partners available to graduate students, and co-designed an award-winning global classroom experience for graduate students. In 2023, she successfully launched an international experiential learning initiative with the University of Toronto that provides a cross-border exchange opportunity for graduate students studying higher education. Dr. Lewis received a 2023 Best Practices in International Education Award from the NASPA International Education Knowledge Community for a Global Classrooms Initiative with a colleague at the University of Toronto. She is a graduate of the Forum on Education Abroad Global Learning Launchpad. She served on the Fulbright Specialist Roster between 2018-2023. Her work in these areas is highlighted in publications, presentations, and podcasts and has been funded and awarded through professional associations.
DR. BRIANNE PITTS | MULTICULTURAL AWARD FOR PROMOTION OF DIVERSITY
Dr. Brianne Pitts is an assistant professor of elementary education in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies. Dedicating her life to promoting diversity and drawing attention to the inequities within our society, she is an exemplary advocate for the rights of all people. As an instructor, Dr. Pitts guides the dialogue of conversations about controversial topics with grace. She makes sure all of her students feel valued and heard during these difficult conversations. Her advocacy for diversity and inclusion extends beyond the classroom. From organizing study nights with the Future Teachers of Color RSO, assisting with the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Woods Lakes Elementary School, organizing a student screening of The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks documentary, she is consistently demonstrating her authenticity and concern in uplifting the voices of marginalized populations, while enlightening students and colleagues alike. Although early in her career as faculty, Dr. Pitt’s professional recognition in the field of social studies, anti-bias and whiteness in teacher education is a testament to her dedication of promoting diversity. Her scholarly and advocacy efforts are generating attention at both the state and national levels. Dr. Pitt’s peer-reviewed publication, White Teachers, Miseducation, and the Psycho-Social Lynching of Black History, was featured in Information Age’s book, Perspectives of Black History in Schools. Additionally, she has contributed to the National Council for the Social Studies’ published reviews of notable social studies trade books for young people which shed light on diversity and inclusion. Dr. Pitts’ professional development presentations in local schools and grant work also exemplify her advocacy work as a multicultural advocate for promoting diversity.
IRIS COOPER | PART-TIME TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Iris Cooper, a part-time instructor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, is a dedicated learner and educator in the field of fashion. As a graduate student at WMU in the Department of History, she was recruited to teach the History of Fashion course for Fashion Merchandising and Design. In this role, Cooper excelled as a personable educator who finds creative and unique ways to ignite the students’ interest and develop their passion for history. In her classes, Cooper demonstrates how fashion is subject to cultural, political, social, and economical forces throughout history, examining topics from ancient civilizations to modern day. She develops students’ understanding of the terms and techniques and how they have shaped lives by taking clothing examples to every class. This “hands-on” experience helps students develop a connection and bridge the gap between how clothing tells a story about what has happened and what will happen in a historical context. In 2023, Cooper became the curator of WMU’s Historic Garment Collection, which provides extant examples of clothing, fibers, and construction. Housed in Kohrman Hall, she spends several hours a week in the collection cleaning and restoring donated garments. Her efforts and success in opening the collection to the public and students has created a valuable way to examine history. She is also creating an educational space to host future workshops for students and researchers Cooper’s enthusiasm for fashion history is infectious and resonates with her students. As one student wrote, “she always had me wanting to learn more; her deep-seated love for the subject matter rubbed off on her students and inspired us to genuinely want to learn more.”
DR. JENNIFER LENNON | MARY L. DAWSON TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Dr. Jennifer Lennon is a faculty specialist in the Department of Special Education and Literacy Studies, with a focus on literacy studies. As a faculty member at WMU, Dr. Lennon’s integration of creativity into the classroom has inspired her students. She designs activities that not only captivate her student’s interest but also rigorously adhere to content standards. Dr. Lennon’s courses are hands-on, practical, engaging and innovative. In LS 2900, to prepare students for their future careers as educators, she conducts an activity where students are able to conceptualize their ideal classroom layout and create models. This activity allows students to envision their future selves as teachers. In LS 3780, she broadened an existing Book Club assignment by allowing the students to choose an adolescent book of their interest to read and discuss in small groups. Dr. Lennon then gave them the book to keep for their future classroom library. In LS 3780, her students created literacy centers using a “Top Chef” approach. They were given a time limit and specific materials. Then they were tasked with creating a literacy center based on phonics topics. They even held an awards ceremony afterwards. Technology also plays a crucial role in Dr. Lennon’s pedagogy. She utilizes teaching videos as cases to prompt analysis and discussion among her students. A consistent part of her teaching strategy, she also places a strong emphasis in exposing students to real classroom scenarios and literacy instruction well before their internships. Despite her high teaching load of four classes per semester as a faculty specialist, Dr. Lennon’s ratings have been consistently high during course evaluations. The majority of the ratings received have been between 4.6-5 on a 5-point scale. The best example of Dr. Lennon’s impact on students was during her hooding ceremony when one student from the crowd screamed enthusiastically “best professor ever!”
ADRIAN HERNANDEZ | RISING STAR AWARD - DOCTORAL
Adrian Hernandez is a counseling psychology doctoral student in the Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology. An exceptional student, Hernandez is currently completing a highly competitive clinical predoctoral fellowship at Yale University’s School of Medicine. He has gone above and beyond the call of duty for his fellowship. Balancing a case load of young adults, adolescents, and children, attending clinical team meetings, performing intake evaluations, conducting psychological assessments, attending weekly seminars, and participating in supervision. Additionally, Hernandez is collaborating on a highly regarded research project examining outcome data of Yale’s Getting Racism Out of the Workplace (GROW) program. GROW’s mission is to foster and sustain educational and clinical excellence regarding culture and diversity. His work ethic and vast knowledge are evident by the fact that Hernandez has already published two manuscripts, with two under review and four manuscripts that are in progress. While at WMU, he has presented eight times at professional conferences. He has also been actively involved in professional associations at the national level with research presentations at annual conventions for the American Educational Research Association, the American Psychological Association, and the Association of Black Psychologists and the Great Lakes Regional Conference for Division 17. Following his fellowship at Yale, he will work as a postdoctoral psychology fellow in adolescent health with Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. His trauma informed skills, passion for learning, and thirst for personal growth make him unique, and an asset to any clinical setting.
ISABEL BLAIR | RISING STAR AWARD - MASTER’S
Isabel Blair is a graduate student earning her master’s degree in early childhood education. Blair has distinguished herself in the program and is meticulous in her preparation for each class session and every assignment. Her comments in class are insightful and illustrate her desire to enhance her knowledge and skills. Blair moved to Grand Rapids from Mexico over 20 years ago and started her own daycare center. When she started, Mi Casa es su Casa Bilingual Family Child Center, Blair decided the center should be bilingual to support her children and other children in the community who grow up in a multilingual environment. She believed that it would be very beneficial to children by allowing them to have exposure to other languages. Blair’s daycare center has received multiple awards in recognition of her knowledge and skills. She was awarded a Bilingual Child Development Associate Credential for outstanding work with young children by the Council for Professional Recognition. By earning a credential, an educator demonstrates a commitment to career advancement and professionalism. Additionally, Blair has become a recognized voice for the needs of childcare providers following the Covid-19 pandemic, which created unsustainable challenges for many working in early childhood education. Because of her dedication, her childcare center was selected by First Steps Kent to receive a portion of grant funding received from the W.K. Kellogg foundation to meet some of the Covid-19 related challenges. Blair is also committed to making high quality childcare easily affordable and available to migrant families in West Michigan. As part of her capstone project, Blair’s research on the subject was recognized as being one of the best that her professor has supervised in their 30 years at WMU. Blair clearly demonstrates outstanding potential for ongoing significant contributions in her field, both scholarly and the professional leadership she provides in raising the level of care for under served families and young children.
ALLISON BEASLEY | RISING STAR AWARD - UNDERGRADUATE
Allison Beasley, a junior in the elementary education program, is known in the College of Education and Human Development as an intelligent, kind hearted, and welcoming future teacher. She is an exemplary student, maintaining a 4.0 GPA and earning her place on the Dean’s List each semester. Beasley is also a member of the Lee Honors College and WMU’s Alpha Lambda Delta chapter. The academic fraternity recognizes academic excellence among women. In the classroom, Beasley’s professors can always count on her positive attitude, interest and excitement for teaching. Contributing to classroom discussions and actively engaged in her assignments, she is a role model for peers. Beasley’s commitment to the field of education is most evident in her work as president of the Aspiring Educators of Michigan at WMU. This registered student organization brings together teacher candidates at Western and provides informative presentations, insight from professionals in the field and discussion navigating the challenging aspects of education. As a president, Beasley is also responsible for the organization’s ‘So, you want to be a teacher?’ Conference. At the event, community high schoolers who are interested in education are given the opportunity to listen and learn from speakers as they share information about the job market for teachers and how to stand-out when applying for positions. This event works closely with the College’s recruitment team to ensure these high schoolers are also getting a close up look at Western and the college experience. As a student ambassador for CEHD, Beasley has a wide-range of experience showcasing the university and CEHD programs and highlighting the benefits of gaining a college degree. Currently in her pre-internship at Moorsbridge Elementary School in a second grade classroom, she hopes to participate in WMU’s study abroad in New Zealand where she can experience teaching in a different country.