By Mindy Ayala-Diaz
NORFOLK, Va. — Old Dominion University's Darden College of Education and Professional Studies recognized the exceptional achievements of 65 students during the DCEPS Student Awards Luncheon held on April 29 in the Big Blue Room. The ceremony celebrated students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and community involvement.
Dean Tammi Dice shared, “A significant highlight of my role has been to witness the passion, drive, commitment, and resilience our students have shown as they have overcome extraordinary hurdles. I truly am so proud of each of you.”
The luncheon concluded with the presentation of the prestigious Jane S. Bray Award, which was bestowed upon Betsy Perez, a standout PhD candidate from the Counselor Education & Supervision program. Named after the former dean of the Darden College, this award is named in her honor to recognize students that exemplify what she worked so hard to promote in the DCEPS- excellence in academics, research and service, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion. Betsy’s dedication to her studies and her impactful contributions to the field have set a high standard of excellence and serve as an inspiration to her peers.
You can view more and you can learn more about each of our awardees by viewing
Department of Counseling & Human Services
- Charnita Clements
Outstanding Master's Student - School Counseling - Kacey Bunting
Outstanding Master's Student - Mental Health Counseling - Betsy Perez
Outstanding Doctoral Student - Counseling - Nicolas D. Schmoyer
Outstanding Doctoral Student - Counseling - Annika Tan
Outstanding Human Services Student - Madison Stevens
Outstanding Human Services Intern - Courtney Abston
Jill C. Dustin Excellence in Service and Leadership Award
Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership
- Teri Harris
Outstanding Workforce and Organizational Development Doctoral Student Award - Mitchell Miklos
Outstanding Marketing Education Student Award - Mitchell Miklos
Lee Bullard Award for Marketing Education - Kellita White
Outstanding Fashion Award - Doug Stanley
Outstanding Industrial Technology Award - Morian Bailey
Outstanding Training Specialist Award - Stephen Stalker
Technology Education Award for Academic Excellence - Taylor Wells
Outstanding Master's Student - Educational Leadership - Kayla Heath
Outstanding Educational Specialist Student - Educational Leadership - Gary Skeen
Outstanding Doctoral Student - Educational Leadership - Jeanette “Jan” White
Outstanding Dissertation of the Year - Educational Leadership - James Jones
Owings-Kaplan Writing Award in Educational Leadership - Christina LiPuma
Outstanding Doctoral Student - Higher Education, PhD. - Gabrielle Smith-Finnie
Outstanding Doctoral Contribution, Higher Education - Yatta Jeusi
Leadership Award - Higher Education, Master’s Program - Christopher Davidson
Mentorship Award - Higher Education Master’s Program - Gillian Gregory
Scholarship Award - Higher Education Master’s Program - Craig Rollins III
Most Important Contribution in Higher Education Award - Amy Henecke
Mentorship Award - Community College Leadership - Ekaterina “Katie” Brooks
Scholarship Award - Community College Leadership - Emily Moore
Leadership Award - Community College Leadership - Anna Jones
Community College Leadership Dissertation of the Year - Gerome Bell
Poindexter Award (Outstanding Community College Leadership Doctoral Student Award)
Department of Human Movement Studies & Special Education
- Chloe Cox
Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Special Education General Curriculum - Candace Reed
Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Special Education Adapted Curriculum - Kasey Sypolt
Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Special Education Adapted Curriculum - Deborah Stewart
Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Early Childhood Special Education - Catherine Bolton
Academic Excellence Award - Special Education General Curriculum - Rachel Robinson
Academic Excellence Award - Special Education Adapted Curriculum - Hana Almouhamadi
Kimberly Hughes Research Award - Erin Ackleson
Michael A. Dean Academic Excellence Award- Health & Physical Education - Tim Dodge
Academic Excellence Award - Sport Management - Anthony Patrick
Rachel E. Scher Service Award - Sport Management - Katherine Guevara
Academic Excellence Award - Tourism Management - Kalleigh West
Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Health & Physical Education - Caroline Helmer
Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Sport Management - Lindsey Nowland
Doctoral Award for Academic Excellence - Human Movement Studies & Special Education - Kevin Johnson
Jan P. Lowrance '74 Endowed Scholarship
Department of STEM Education & Professional Studies
- Breeanne Kirsch
Alan Mandell Endowed Award - Instructional Design and Technology - Nikki Galloway
Outstanding Library Science Student Award - Stephanie Moreno
Outstanding School Library Student Award - Erin Cousins
Outstanding Student Award - Educational Psychology and Program Evaluation
Department of Teaching & Learning
- Julatte Hillman
Outstanding Student Virginia Education Association Student - Abi Elizabeth Pierce
Outstanding Graduate Student - PK-6 Education - Mary Gregory
Outstanding Curriculum & Instruction Doctoral Student - Lauren Elise Padilla
Carol V. DeRolf Early Childhood Education Award - Megan Kurtz
Katharine Kersey Award for Early Childhood Education - Preston Cramer
R.W. and Betty MacDonald Endowment Scholarship in Language Arts & Social Studies - Jessica Kelsey
Alan Mandell Award - Science Education - Laramie McCallister
Betty Yarborough Outstanding Graduate Student Award - Reading Education - Quinn Quash
Mark A. Forget Endowed Scholarship in Content Area Reading Education - Hannah Stuart
Virginia Scholars Award
Awards
The Teachers of Promise Award is bestowed upon exceptional prospective educators selected from various colleges and universities offering education programs throughout Virginia. Established in 2004, the Teachers of Promise Institute aims to identify and celebrate the most promising future teachers. Supported by The Teachers of Promise Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Roanoke, Virginia, and managed by a team of experienced educators, the Institute has recognized over 3,800 outstanding Teachers of Promise from thirty-six different institutions of higher learning to date.
- Faith Dutch
- Sydney Hodges
- Kiana Hancock
- Zachary Richardson
- Alayna Underwood
Jane S. Bray Award
Dr. Jane Bray served as Dean of the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies from 2013-2020. This award is named in her honor to recognize students that exemplify what she worked so hard to promote in the DCEPS- excellence in academics, research and service, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Dr. Betsy Perez - Counselor Education & Supervision, PhD