This year, Michigan State University recognizes the outstanding work of 37 faculty, administrators, academic staff and graduate assistants. The MSU community is invited to celebrate the honorees at the ceremony on April 7 at 4:30 p.m. at the Breslin Center Hall of History.

We also recognize and honor recipients of the Inclusive Excellence Awards and International Awards, which will be presented in April, as well.

Learn more about the awards and recipients below.

William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award

Faculty are honored with the William J. Beal Outstanding Faculty Award for their comprehensive and sustained record of scholarly excellence in research and/or creative activities, instruction and outreach. The award is supported by the Office of University Advancement at MSU.

Award recipients include:

• Thomas Berding, College of Arts and Letters, Art, Art History and Design
• Laura Chomiuk, College of Natural Science, Physics and Astronomy
• Sean Crosson, College of Natural Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Microbiology, Genetics, and Immunology
• Kevin Elliott, Lyman Briggs College, Fisheries and Wildlife
• Songqing Jin, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics
• Mary Juzwik, College of Education, Teacher Education
• Lisa Linnenbrink-Garcia, College of Education, Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education
• Yadu Pokhrel, College of Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Stephanie Watts, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Elise Zipkin, College of Natural Science, Integrative Biology

Teacher-Scholar Award

Teacher-Scholar Awards are presented to faculty who have earned the respect of their students and colleagues for their devotion to and skill in teaching, and whose instruction is linked to and informed by their research and creative activities. This award is supported by the Office of University Development.

Award recipients include:

• Alexandra Allweiss, College of Education, Teacher Education
• Vivian Aranda-Hughes, College of Social Science, Criminal Justice
• Jean Hardy, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Media and Information
• Thea Knowles, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Communicative Sciences and Disorders
• Justin Simard, College of Law
• Caroline Szczepanski, College of Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

Distinguished Academic Staff Award

The Distinguished Academic Staff Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of those professionals who serve the university in advising, curriculum development, outreach, extension, research and teaching.

Award recipients include:

• Bindu Bhakta, MSU Extension, Community, Food and Environment Institute
• Michael Everett, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community Sustainability
• Maddalena Fanelli, College of Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
• Rebecca Henne, MSU Extension, Institute of Health and Nutrition

Community Engagement Scholarship Award

The Office of the Vice Provost for University Outreach and Engagement supports the Community Engagement Scholarship Award to recognize a mutually beneficial and sustained campus-community research partnership.

• Elena Ruíz, Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Letters;
  • Partnered with: Sara’s House (Geneva Jackson) and W.H.E.A.T. (Melvenna Fant-Jones)

Excellence-in-Teaching Citations

Excellence-in-Teaching Citations are awarded to outstanding graduate teaching assistants who have distinguished themselves by the dedication and skill they show in meeting their classroom responsibilities. The awards are supported by the Office of University Development.

Award recipients include:

• Anara Akhmetova, College of Education, Teacher Education
• Sarah Griffes, College of Social Science, Human Development and Family Studies
• Jong In Lim, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Communication
• Jessica Pettengill, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Journalism
• E. Woo, College of Education, Teacher Education
• Alex Zajdel, College of Music, Double Bass

President’s Distinguished Teaching Award

The President’s Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes academic specialists and tenure system faculty members’ roles in the creation of innovative environments that enable student learning within and across disciplinary, cultural and ethnic boundaries.

• Gabe Ording, College of Natural Science, Integrative Studies in General Science; College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Entomology

Simmons Chivukula Award for Academic Leadership

The Simmons Chivukula Award is presented for exemplary work in academic leadership by department chairs, school directors, assistant deans or associate deans. Award recipients are chosen based on consistent and demonstrated excellence in academic leadership, including the dimensions of inclusive excellence.

The Simmons Chivukula Award is generously sponsored by a gift from Elizabeth H. Simmons (executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at University of California, San Diego, and former MSU associate provost for faculty and academic staff development and former dean of Lyman Briggs College) and R. Sekhar Chivukula (Distinguished Professor of Physics at UC San Diego and former MSU associate provost for undergraduate education and former dean of undergraduate studies).

• Monique Mitchell Turner, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Communication

Robert F. Banks Award for Institutional Leadership

The Robert F. Banks Award for Institutional Leadership recognizes the commitment and dedication that MSU faculty, academic staff and support staff leaders demonstrate by their extraordinary and sustained efforts. The award was established in honor and recognition of Robert Banks for his 40 years of service to Michigan State University, including seven years as Dean of James Madison College and 28 years as Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Human Resources.

• Marilyn Amey †, Office of the Provost, Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs
• Andrew Corner, College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Advertising and Public Relations

† Posthumous

Donald F. Koch Award for Quality in Undergraduate Teaching

The Donald F. Koch Award for Quality in Undergraduate Teaching recognizes fixed-term academic specialists and tenure system faculty who are committed to quality undergraduate teaching and who demonstrate substantial continuing involvement in undergraduate education.

• Sarah Prior, College of Social Science, Sociology

Faculty Emeriti Association Award for Outstanding Contributions by an Individual or Team of Faculty

The Faculty Emeriti Association Award recognizes an individual MSU Faculty Emeritus or Emerita or a team of Emeriti faculty who, following retirement, have served the university community through contributions to a unit or program.

• Dave Dewitt, College of Natural Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Steve Pueppke, International Studies and Programs, Asia Hub
• Mike Scott, College of Veterinary Medicine, Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation
• Jyotsna Singh, College of Arts and Letters, English
• Scott Winterstein, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Fisheries and Wildlife

Inclusive Excellence Awards

In addition to the above awards, we celebrate the recipients of the Inclusive Excellence Awards. Recipients will be announced during a ceremony on April 3, 2026. Twelve awards were presented to individuals, teams and units for furthering inclusion in teaching, research, programming, service, community outreach and organizational change. These awards are supported by the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

Individual Award

• Diana Bello-DeOcampo, College of Natural Science, Department of Integrative Biology
• Eddie Boucher, College of Social Science, Center for Integrative Studies
• Laura Freidhoff, College of Human Medicine, Office of Medical Education Research and Development
• Alex Guo, College of Arts and Letters, Humanities-Prelaw, Experience Architecture (XA), expected B.A. 2026

Team Award

• Inclusive Campus Initiative – An innovative and strategic group uniting campus partners to create a more inclusive campus, housed within the Office of the Executive Vice President of Administration and sponsored by Residential and Hospitality Services. Members include Matea Čaluk, Anjam Chaudhary, Juan Flores, Jun Fu, Katusha Galitzine, Vennie Gore, Florensio Hernandez, Swapna Hingwe, Meaghan Kozar (Director), Charles “charlie” Liu, Danielle Flores Lopez and Brenda Nelson.
  
• North American Indigenous Student Organization, or NAISO, Powwow Committee – Registered Student Organization, consisting of Maggie Broderick (co-chair; PR chair), Carmen Cameron (co-chair), Jacob Doss (hospitality chair), Chase Jerome-Davis (volunteer chair), Devon Kuwanquaftewa (advisor), Sarah Lettau (vendor chair), Emily Sorroche (advisor) and Brielle Tate (finance chair).

International Awards

In addition to the above awards, we celebrate the recipients of the International Awards.

The International Awards honor a diverse group of students, faculty and community members in international research, teaching and outreach on April 16. The awards recognize 12 exceptional Spartans who reach across borders and disciplines in their common commitment to global engagement.

Ralph H. Smuckler Award for Advancing International Studies and Programs at MSU

• Wei Liao, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and College of Engineering, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, and MSU Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center

Joon S. Moon Distinguished International Alumni Award

• Armando Benitez, Bank of Montreal — Capital Markets

MSU Award for Outstanding Service to Education Abroad

• Max Olivero, Eli Broad College of Business, Undergraduate Academic Services

Charles A. Gliozzo International Award for Public Diplomacy

• Paul Balas, Eli Broad College of Business, Dean’s Office

Homer Higbee International Education Award

• Thomas Almer, Community Volunteer, Volunteer English Tutoring Program
• Jana Woerner, College of Natural Science, Ph.D. Student

Gill-Chin Lim Award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in Global Studies

• Alaina Bur, International Studies and Programs, Center for Gender in Global Context

Special Recognition Award for Promoting International Understanding

• Steve Pueppke, International Studies and Programs, Asia Hub

Carl K. Eicher Award for International Development

• Songqing Jin, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Agricultural Food and Resource Economics

John K. Hudzik Emerging Leader in Advancing International Studies and Programs

• Leonora Souza Paula, College of Arts and Letters, English

Glen L. Taggart Award for Community Contributions to International Understanding

• Zahrah Resh, Zahrah Resh Studio, LLC, Artist

Dean's Global Impact Award

• Steve Hanson, International Studies and Programs, Vice Provost and Dean Emeritus