Board Recognizes Faculty with Research, Scholarly Excellence, Teaching Awards

The Board of Regents for Higher Education — which governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) — recognized the CSCU faculty members selected as recipients of the 2014–15 Campus-Wide Board of Regents Teaching, Research, and Scholarly Excellence Awards, as well as the System-Wide Board of Regents Teaching, Research, Scholarly Excellence and Adjunct Teaching Awards. Faculty members were recognized at the Board of Regents April 15 meeting at Eastern Connecticut State University.

The awards are campus and system-wide recognitions of excellence in teaching or research, creative and scholarly work by CSCU full-time, junior faculty and part-time faculty members.

“The quality of teaching and level of research throughout the college and university system is truly remarkable, and the scholarship by these faculty members is both inspiring and significant,” said Dr. Merle Harris, Chair of the Board of Regents Academic & Student Affairs Committee.

“These awards provide a means of recognizing the exemplary work of the highest promise being done by our up-and-coming faculty,” said Dr. Gregory Gray, CSCU President. “They are all demonstrating an impact on their academic field, our students and our state.”

“The work and support of our students continues to make our system strong, and the quality of the teaching, research and creative work exhibited by our faculty award recipients enhances and sustains the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system,” said Dr. Estela Lopez, CSCU Interim Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs.

The Board of Regents Teaching Awards are presented to faculty from each of the state universities and community colleges. Two system-wide awards are given to faculty who best exemplify high quality teaching, one each from the colleges and universities. The Board of Regents Research Awards are granted to faculty among Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Connecticut State Universities. A single system-wide award is given to the individual who best exemplifies high quality research among the universities.

The Board of Regents Scholarly Excellence Awards recognizes community college faculty who conduct work befitting the community college mission. A single system-wide award is given to the individual who exemplifies high quality scholarly work or creative activity throughout the community colleges.   Two system-wide Adjunct Faculty Teaching Awards are given to recognize part-time faculty throughout the CSCU system who have distinguished themselves as outstanding teachers.

Board of Regents Teaching Awards

(Connecticut State Universities)

Dr. Daniel Donaghy of Willington, Associate Professor, English
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

Dr. Nicholas Greco of Southington, Associate Professor, Chemistry
Western Connecticut State University, Danbury

Dr. Marie Basile McDaniel of New Haven, Assistant Professor, History
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven

Dr. Julia Kara-Soteriou of Middletown, Associate Professor, Reading and Language Arts
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain

Board of Regents System-Wide Teaching Award

(Connecticut State Universities)

Dr. Nicholas Greco of Southington, Associate Professor, Chemistry
Western Connecticut State University, Danbury

Board of Regents Teaching Awards

(Connecticut Community Colleges)

Mr. Jonathan Andersen of Storrs, Associate Professor, English
Quinebaug Valley Community College, Danielson

Ms. Lucy Kiermaier of Newington, Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education
Tunxis Community College, Farmington

Ms. Carol LaLiberte of Wilbraham, Mass., Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education
Asnuntuck Community College, Enfield

Dr. Lin Lin of Manchester, Assistant Professor, Engineering Science and
Computer Engineering Technology
Middlesex Community College, Middletown

Ms. Christine Mangone of New Canaan, Assistant Professor, Humanities
Norwalk Community College, Norwalk

Ms. Jamilet Ortiz of Dobbs Ferry, NY, Assistant Professor, Language
Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport

Mr. Steven Parlato of Waterbury, Assistant Professor, English
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury

Ms. Teresa M. Russo of Branford, Associate Professor, Social Sciences
Gateway Community College, New Haven

Ms. Heidi P. Zenie of Killingworth, Assistant Professor, Natural Sciences
Three Rivers Community College, Norwich

Board of Regents System-Wide Teaching Award

(Connecticut Community Colleges)

Dr. Lin Lin of Manchester, Assistant Professor, Engineering Science and Computer Engineering Technology
Middlesex Community College, Middletown

Board of Regents Faculty Research Awards

(Connecticut State Universities)

Dr. Jessica Eckstein of Sandy Hook, Associate Professor, Communication & Media Arts
Western Connecticut State University, Danbury

Dr. Khaled Hammad of Simsbury, Associate Professor, Engineering
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain

Dr. Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault of Wethersfield, Associate Professor, Psychology
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

Dr. Chulguen Yang of North Haven, Associate Professor, Management
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven

Board of Regents System-Wide Research Award

(Connecticut State Universities)

Dr. Kristalyn Salters-Pedneault of Wethersfield, Associate Professor, Psychology
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

Board of Regents Scholarly Excellence Awards

(Connecticut Community Colleges)

Mr. Michael Demers of Simsbury, Assistant Professor, Liberal Arts
Asnuntuck Community College, Enfield

Mr. Hendree Milward of West Hartford, Associate Professor, Mathematics
Tunxis Community College, Farmington

Dr. Hannah Moeckel-Rieke of Greenwich, Associate Professor, ESL and English
Norwalk Community College, Norwalk

Dr. Roxanne Tisch of Westerly, RI, Assistant Professor, Mathematics
Three Rivers Community College, Norwich

Board of Regents System-Wide Scholarly Excellence Award

(Connecticut Community Colleges)

Dr. Hannah Moeckel-Rieke of Greenwich, Associate Professor, ESL and English
Norwalk Community College, Norwalk

Board of Regents System-Wide Adjunct Faculty Teaching Awards

Mr. Kevin C. Donohue of Windham, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Business Administration
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

Mr. Christopher Rempfer of Wilton, Adjunct Lecturer, English
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury