Accolades: Faculty and Staff Awards and Honors

Below are awards and honors University of Maryland faculty and staff have earned since mid-February:

Patricia Alexander Ph.D. ’81, Distinguished University Professor; Kathryn R. Wentzel, professor emerita; and Allan Wigfield, professor emeritus, all from the Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, were ranked among the most productive educational psychologists from 2017 to 2022 by Frontiers in Psychology. 

History Professor Richard Bell received the 2025 Journal of the American Revolution Annual Book Award for his book “The American Revolution and the Fate of the World.” 

Hassanatu Blake, associate clinical professor in the Department of Global, Environmental, and Occupational Health, was named to the American Public Health Association’s inaugural Disability Justice Advisory Board.

An episode of “The Garden Thyme Podcast” featuring University of Maryland Extension Principal Agent Associate Mikaela Boley and Senior Agent Associates Rachel Rhodes and Emily Zobel interviewing Specialist Lisa Kuder about native plants and pollinators received the Gold Award in Podcast/Radio from the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals for 2025.

James Bond, director of student conduct, was elected a director-at-large for the Association for Student Conduct Administration in recognition of his leadership and expertise in the field.

Gretchen Campbell, associate vice president for quantum research and education, was appointed to the new Commission on U.S. Quantum Primacy.

Susan Canady, assistant director of event and guest services for the Stamp Student Union, received the Legacy Leader Award at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) annual conference. Awardees are selected by fellow ACUI members for their impact on the field, exemplified by their spirit and character in advancing community building. 

Assistant Professor Caroline Charpentier of the Department of Psychology and UMD’s Brain and Behavior Institute received a Sloan Research Fellowship, given to 126 early-career researchers at U.S. and Canadian educational institutions for creativity, innovation, and research accomplishments.

Andrew Childs, a professor of computer science and interim director of the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, received the Excellence in Research Award in Computer Science from the Washington Academy of Sciences, recognizing work that has helped redefine what quantum computers can do and how researchers design algorithms for them. 

W. Jason Choi, assistant professor of marketing, was named a 2025 Marketing Science Institute Young Scholar. The Young Scholars Program was created to recognize excellence in marketing scholarship, build meaningful connections across disciplines, and strengthen relationships between leading academics and MSI’s member organizations.

Kristen K. Coleman, assistant professor in the Department of Global, Environmental and Occupational Health, wrote a paper that was listed among the Best of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Journals 2025. "Avian Influenza Virus Infections in Felines: A Systematic Review of Two Decades of Literature" was published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

Associate Director of the Jiménez-Porter Writers’ House Dolapo Demuren was awarded the 2025 Poetry Society of America Chapbook Fellowship for his manuscript “American Love Sonnets.” Demuren’s chapbook explores themes of filial and paternal relationships, as well as how social, environmental and generational factors influence love poetry through those connections.

Associate Professor Edward Eisenstein of the Fischell Department of Bioengineering; Distinguished University Professor James Farquhar of the Department of Geological, Environmental and Planetary Sciences; Professor Frauke Kreuter of the Joint Program for Survey Methodology; Professor Lawrence Sita of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Joint Quantum Institute Fellow Ian Spielman were named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society and the publisher of the Science family of journals. It is one of the highest honors in the scientific community.

Nima Farshchi, lecturer in the  Management and Organization Department, was named a 2025 B Academics Award winner for Instructor of the Year and Course of the Year. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to sustainability, innovation and leadership in their academic pursuits.

“Timequake,” a classical CD featuring saxophonist Noah Getz and Distinguished University Professor in the School of Music Chris Gekker, was awarded second place in the American Prize’s Chamber Ensemble Professional Brass category. Other UMD faculty featured on the CD are Rita Sloan, professor emerita of collaborative piano; Jessica McKee, lecturer of collaborative piano; and Director of Bands Michael Votta conducting the Stefan Wolpe Quartet. UMD alums include Jason Gekker, double bass; Alexander Kostadinoff, piano; and Neil Brown, recording engineer and producer.

Maryl B. Gensheimer, associate professor of art history and archaeology, was elected to a three-year term as academic trustee of the Governing Board of the Archaeological Institute of America. It promotes archaeological inquiry and public understanding of the material record of the human past to foster an appreciation of diverse cultures and our shared humanity. 

Samuel Graham, Nariman Farvardin Professor and dean of the A. James Clark School of Engineering, was elevated to fellow by the American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers, the leading international body in the thermal and fluids engineering field.

“Labor: Studies in Working-Class History,” edited by Professor of American studies and history Julie Greene, was awarded the 2026 Phoenix Award from the Council of Editors of Learned Journals. The honor given to the official journal for the Labor and Working-Class History Association recognizes significant editorial and/or design achievement.

Distinguished University Professor of Physics Emeritus Rick Greene received the 2026 Heike Kamerlingh Onnes Prize from the organizers of the International Conference on the Materials and Mechanisms of Superconductivity for his outstanding achievements in the realm of superconductivity.

Kimberly Griffin M.A. ’01, dean of the College of Education, was elected to a three-year term as a member-at-large of the American Educational Research Association Council. This national leadership role reflects her outstanding scholarship, commitment to equity and impact on the field of education research.

Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, director of the Stamp Student Union, received the Association of College Unions International Emeritus Award, presented to professionals for their leadership and dedication to serving students and advancing campus community through their careers in the college union and student activities field.

The Howard Center for Investigative Journalism won a Best in Business Award from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing in the category of Stories for Student Media Outlets for its investigation, “Off the Rails: Exposing Regulatory Gaps in North America’s Railroad Industry.” The investigation was done in partnership with Capital News Service, Arizona State University’s Howard Center, the University of British Columbia’s Global Reporting Centre, the University of Oregon, NPR, CBC and The Narwhal.

Michelle Hofton, a research professor in geographical sciences, received a 2024–25 NASA Agency Honor Award, earning the Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for her support of mission planning and implementation for the BioSCape International Airborne Campaign.

National Center for Smart Growth Director Kathryn Howell earned a 2026 Best Article in the Journal of Urban Affairs Award for her paper, “A data feminist approach to urban data practice: Tenant power through eviction data,” one of two papers recognized nationally for its outstanding contribution to the field.

Jenna Jones, extension educator for the University of Maryland Extension in Prince George’s County, received an Excellence in Urban 4-H Programming Regional Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals. She also received congressional recognition from U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey for her leadership in developing and hosting Prince George’s County 4-H STEM Night. 

Veronica Kang, assistant professor of special education, has been elected to serve a two-year term as chair of the American Education Research Association’s Family, School, Community Partnerships Special Interest Group.

Department of Geological, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences Distinguished University Professor Alan Jay Kaufman received the 2026 Francis J. Pettijohn Medal for Sedimentology awarded by the Society for Sedimentary Geology. 

Sahar Khamis, associate professor of communication, won the Inaugural Service Award from the South West Asian/North African, Middle East Caucus at the National Communication Association’s 111th annual convention. 

Associate Professor of History Piotr Kosicki was awarded the Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. Research Fellowship from the JFK Library Foundation. The fellowships are intended to support scholars in the production of substantial works in the foreign policy of the Kennedy presidency, especially in the Western Hemisphere; or the Kennedy administration's domestic policy, particularly with regard to racial justice or the conservation of natural resources. 

Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center faculty members Alexander Kotsakis, Narges Shahroudi and Patrick Stegmann received the NASA 2026 Earth Science Division Strategic Capture Excellence Award as part of the Hyperspectral Microwave Photonic Instrument (HyMPI) instrument team.

Hemendra Kumar, a precision agriculture specialist with the University of Maryland Extension,  was selected as a 2025 Agronomy Journal Outstanding Associate Editor. He was also appointed associate editor of the Journal of Precision Agriculture.

Jing Lin, professor of international education, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Comparative and International Education Society Peace Education Special Interest Group.

Doug Lombardi, associate dean for faculty affairs and graduate studies in the College of Education, received the Founders Service Award from the National Consortium of Instruction and Cognition. Through multiple roles at the NCIC, he helped shape its research programming, strengthened its outreach and communications, and guided its strategic direction.

ADA Coordinator Emily Singer Lucio selected as a member of the Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)'s inaugural Certification Program Oversight Committee. She will also serve as chair of its Appeals & Complaints Committee. 

Director of the Language House and Associate Clinical Professor of French Marilyn Matar is the recipient of the Grand Prix de la Francophonie for 2026. It recognizes her contributions to promoting the French language, cultural and linguistic diversity, and education within the Francophone world.

Director of Golf Operations Jeff Maynor received the Chapter Award from the Middle Atlantic PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) Section, the highest honor granted to a PGA professional based on overall performance as a professional and level of service to the Middle Atlantic PGA and to the association. 

b.a. medina, director of Bias Incident Support Services, was elected as co-chair of NASPA’s Transracial Adoptee and Multiracial Knowledge Community and was appointed the vice chair of NASPA's Sexual and Relationship Violence Prevention, Education, and Response Knowledge Community.

Erika Moore, assistant professor in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, was named to the 2026 cohort of Ford Global Fellows, recognizing their contributions to a global movement for equity and promotion of democratic values. She also received the Distinguished Young Alumni Award from Duke Engineering.

Assistant Professor of Communication Raquel Moreira won the Francine Merritt Award from the Women’s Caucus at the National Communication Association’s 111th annual convention. 

David Mount, a professor of computer science, was named a recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Science Alumni Award from Purdue University, where he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Assistant Professor Catherine Nakalembe in the Department of Geographical Sciences was named a National Geographic Explorer, an honor for groundbreaking scientists, conservationists, educators and storytellers who receive funding and other support from the National Geographic Society. 

Angela Nastase, director of the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct and the university's Title IX coordinator, was named as an advisory board member of the Association of Title IX Administrators.

Christine Neumerski, senior research fellow in the Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement, received the National Network of Education Research-Practice Partnerships’ Youth Voice 4 RPPs (Research-Practice Partnerships) award.

Elizabeth Norell, associate professor of behavioral and community health, was named to the 2026 cohort of the National Association of Deans and Directors of Social Work’s Next Level Leaders Program.

Brynne Norton, UMD Libraries' head of resource sharing and reserves, received the 2026 RUSA STARS Virginia Boucher Distinguished Interlibrary Loan Librarian Award. 

Taylor Oshan, associate professor in geographical sciences, was selected for the 2026 Emerging Scholar Award by the Spatial Analysis and Modeling specialty group at the 2026 Association of American Geographers’ annual meeting.

Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz, Saul I. Stern Professor of Civic Engagement in the School of Public Policy, was named this year’s Service Award honoree by the State Politics & Policy section of the American Political Science Association. The selection committee cited her lasting impact on the subfield and her contributions to strengthening research infrastructure and public engagement.

Joy Rafey, statewide coordinator of the Maryland Master Naturalist Program for University of Maryland Extension, earned a Silver Award for Outstanding Educational Materials Awards in the category for Book or Comprehensive Program Curriculum from the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals for her book, “The Maryland Master Naturalist’s Handbook.” 

Mike Raupp, professor emeritus of entomology, received the Awards of Merit from the Tree Care Industry Association, celebrating his commitment to elevating industry standards and equipping professionals with the knowledge needed to protect trees, landscapes and ecosystems.

Sociology Professor Rashawn Ray will serve as President-Elect of the Eastern Sociological Society in 2026-27 before assuming the position of president for 2027-28.

Kamrie Risku, coordinator for leadership and community service-learning in the Stamp Student Union, received the Nevitt Sanford Award from the ACPA-College Student Educators International’s Commission for Faculty and Graduate Programs. She also received the Outstanding International Education Initiative Award from ACPA-College Student Educators International’s Commission for Global Student Development. This award recognized her work with the UMD-Hong Kong Polytechnic University Global Service and Leadership Exchange program. 

Amanda Rockler, a regional watershed restoration specialist with the Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program, received the 2025 Distinguished Career Award from the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals.

KenYatta Rogers, assistant professor in the School of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies, won Best Direction of a Play (Non-Professional) for “Metamorphoses,” a Fall 2024 TDPS production featuring a wading pool in the Kogod Theatre.

Rachel Schine, assistant professor of Arabic and history, received two awards for her book “Black Knights: Arabic Epic and the Making of Medieval Race”: the Monica H. Green Prize from the Medieval Academy of America, and the Middle East Medievalists Book Prize.

Architecture Professor Madlen Simon is one of 78 individuals nationally who has been elevated to the 2026 American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows. This prestigious honor recognizes her extensive contributions to the advancement of the profession through teaching, and is the AIA’s highest distinction; less than 3% of AIA members hold the designation.

The Marylanders Online team, co-led by College of Information Professor Mega Subramaniam, in collaboration with doctoral student Uhjin Sim, won the Florence Hall Award from the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. It recognizes members who have been alert in recognizing emerging issues or new concerns and interests of families or individuals and have planned and implemented programs which address these issues utilizing others in their communities.

Jennifer D. Turner, professor of literacy education, and her co-editors received the 2026 Outstanding Book Award from the American Education Research Association’s Semiotics in Education: Signs, Meanings, and Multimodality for their book, “Critical Visual Methods to Advance Racial Justice in Educational Research: The Seen and Unseen,” published by Routledge.

Minta Martin Professor of Aerospace Engineering Norman Wereley was named a 2026 fellow by the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering. He is an internationally recognized scholar in smart, composite and cellular materials for occupant protection systems, magnetorheological fluids and devices, and pneumatic artificial muscles for morphing aircraft and robotic applications. His work has led to numerous innovations and applications in pilot and passenger safety for rotorcraft.

Associate Clinical Professor of architecture Brittany Williams was appointed to the National Architectural Accrediting Board Standards Revision Committee. 

Gareth Williams, lecturer of communication, won a Top Paper in the Communication and Future Division for “Cybersecurity as an Issues Management Wicked Problem: A Communications Approach to a Technological Challenge Facing Critical Infrastructure Organizations” at the National Communication Association’s 111th Annual Convention. 

Director of Jazz Studies Mark Williams and the Count Basie Orchestra received a Grammy nomination this year for "Basie Rocks," featuring vocalist Deborah Silver. They were also recognized in DownBeat magazine’s 73rd annual Critics Poll, earning a place on the Large Ensemble of the Year list. 

Gulnoza Yakubova, associate professor of special education, and Yewon Lee, associate clinical professor of special education, and their co-authors were recognized with the Research Article of the Year award from the Journal of Special Education Technology for their article, ”Using Virtual Video Modeling Multicomponent Intervention to Improve Mathematical Skills of an Autistic High School Student: Findings from a Two-Experiment Study.”

Know of a faculty or staff honor that should be included in this quarterly compilation? Please contact your unit’s communications lead and accolades@umd.edu.