USM Distinguished Faculty, Staff, Alumni Honored at Annual Arts and Sciences Awards Ceremony
Mon, 05/01/2023 - 10:24am | By: Ivonne Kawas Prado
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is proud to announce the recipients of its annual awards ceremony commemorating faculty, staff and alumni for their recent accomplishments in teaching, research, service, and community outreach.
“Our annual awards honor our colleagues and alumni whose accomplishments have attained such a high degree of excellence that they merit our recognition and respect,” said Dr. David Cochran, associate dean for research and graduate education in the CAS. “This year, we had an unprecedented number of nominations spread across the nine award categories. Our awardees should be commended for standing out among so many great nominees. I encourage everyone in our College to congratulate this year’s awardees for their professional achievements and for their significant contributions to the University.”
Award recipients include:
CREATIVE RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR
Dr. Candice Salyers
Assistant Professor
School of Performing and Visual Arts
This award honors a faculty member whose skill, productivity, and achievements in the visual and performing arts reflect the highest levels of artistic and creative excellence.
SCHOLARLY RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR
Dr. Kevin Kuehn
Professor
School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences
This award honors a faculty member whose record of productivity in research and peer-reviewed publication is of the highest caliber, and whose results have far-reaching impacts both within and beyond the academy.
TEACHING-TRACK TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Dr. Michelle McLeese
Assistant Teaching Professor
School of Social Science and Global Studies
This award honors a faculty member who has achieved the highest levels of excellence as an educator.
TENURE-TRACK TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Dr. Marek Steedman
Associate Professor
School of Social Science and Global Studies
This award honors a faculty member who has achieved the highest levels of excellence as an educator.
FACULTY ADVISOR AND MENTOR AWARD
Dr. Rachel Gisewhite
Assistant Professor
Center for STEM Education
This award honors a faculty member who has gone above and beyond in their work as advisors and mentors, and whose efforts have made significant positive impacts on students both here at Southern Miss and after graduation.
JUNIOR FACULTY AWARD
Dr. Maria Wallace
Assistant Professor
Center for STEM Education
This award recognizes a tenure-track, junior faculty member whose productivity, success, and commitment in the first years of their career at Southern Miss show great potential for a long and stellar career in the academy.
FACULTY SERVICE AWARD
Dr. Fan Zhang
Assistant Professor
School of Construction and Design
This award honors a faculty member who through their tireless efforts demonstrate the highest levels of service to their profession, their disciplinary field, and to Southern Miss.
STAFF SERVICE AWARD
Ms. Autumn Webb
Lab Coordinator
School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
This award honors a staff member who through their tireless efforts demonstrate the highest levels of service to their profession, their disciplinary field, and to Southern Miss.
OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Mr. Matt Pace
President
Codaray Construction
This award recognizes an outstanding alum whose notable accomplishments and contributions to their field after graduation merit recognition and gratitude from The College of Arts and Sciences.
Visit the website of The College of Arts and Sciences to learn more or call 601.266.4315.