Awards

The Exemplary Service of the Year Award is presented to a CSU College of Education & Health Professions full-time faculty or staff member for professional service rendered within the community and region served by the College and Columbus State University. Through this award, the COEHP emphasizes the role that its faculty and staff play in enhancing education, counseling, nursing, exercise and health sciences, and professional studies in Columbus, West Central Georgia, and beyond through professional service.

Note: The two faculty members with the highest number of votes will be the COEHP nominees for the University Service Award.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2023–2024 Academic Year

Award Recipient: Dana Griggs

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Jessica VanValkenburgh

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Steven Wright

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Sharon Renner (Kinesiology and Health Services)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Nominees: None
• Award Recipient: None

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Nominees: Berderia Fuller; Heather McKeen; Lauren Johnson; Michael Denzau; Tamara Condrey
• Award Recipient:  Heather McKeen

The Exemplary Service of the Year Award is presented to a CSU College of Education & Health Professions part-time faculty or staff member for professional service rendered within the community and region served by the College and Columbus State University. Through this award, the COEHP emphasizes the role that its faculty and staff play in enhancing education, counseling, nursing, exercise and health sciences, and professional studies in Columbus, West Central Georgia, and beyond through professional service.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Tiffany Brush

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Benjamin Hagan

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Lauren Hern (TLC)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Nominees: None
• Award Recipient: None

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Nominees: None
• Award Recipient: None

The Excellence in Research and Scholarship Award is present at a CSU College of Education and Health Professions faculty member or members who display exceptional contributions to the general scholarship as evidenced by publications, presentations of papers, or other scholarly pursuits. Through this award, the College of Education & Health Professions acknowledges the critical role of scholarship in the academic community locally and beyond.

Note: The two faculty members with the highest votes will be the COEHP nominees for the University Research and Scholarship Award.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Sharon Welburn

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Mariama Sandifer

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Basil Conway (TLC)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Nominees: Tugce Gul, Deryus Tillman
• Award Recipient: Tugce Gul

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Nominees: Jennifer Brown, Patricia Patrick
• Award Recipient: Jennifer Brown

The Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to a CSU College of Education and Health Professions full-time faculty member who displays a high level of teaching excellence and undertakes activities that will enhance and expand the learning experiences for Columbus State University Students. Through this award, the COEHP emphasizes the role that its faculty members play in enhancing education, counseling, nursing, exercise and health sciences, and professional studies in Columbus, West Central Georgia, and beyond.

Note: The two faculty members with the highest votes will be the COEHP nominees for the University Teaching Excellence Award.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2023–2024 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Rebecca Toland

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Basil Conway

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Kalynn Pistorio

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Hanna Lainas (TLC)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Nominees: Sherika Derico, Toni Franklin, Lauren Johnson, Stella Michael-Makri, Kalynn Pistorio, Dan Smith
• Award Recipient: Toni Franklin

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Nominees: Deryus Tillman; Lauren Johnson; Rick Gardiner; Saoussan Maarouf; Tamara Condrey
• Award Recipient:  Rick Gardiner

The Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to a CSU College of Education and Health Professions part-time faculty member who displays a high level of teaching excellence and undertakes activities that will enhance and expand the learning experiences for Columbus State University Students. Through this award, the COEHP emphasizes the role that its faculty members play in enhancing education, counseling, nursing, exercise and health sciences, and professional studies in Columbus, West Central Georgia, and beyond.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Kylie Drury

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Dawn Truong

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Nominees: Hope Phillips
• Award Recipient: Hope Phillips

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Nominees: Angie Everson, Annie Lewis, Barbara Rouse; Karen Higgins; Mike Hill; Sandi McCann
• Award Recipients: Sandi McCann, Angie Everson, and Karen Higgins

 The Excellence in Teaching Award is presented to a CSU College of Education and Health Professions faculty member who displays a high level of online teaching excellence and undertakes activities that will enhance and expand the learning experiences for Columbus State University Students. Through this award, the COEHP emphasizes the role that its faculty members play in enhancing education, counseling, nursing, exercise and health sciences, and professional studies in Columbus, West Central Georgia, and beyond. Faculty teaching in a fully online program or who are teaching primarily online as defined in the CSU award eligibility criteria.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2023–2024 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Jessica VanValkenburgh

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Marguerite Lawrence

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Erick Richman

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Stella Michael-Makri (TLC)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Nominees: Tugce Gul, Aimee Vael
• Award Recipient: Aimee Vael

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Nominees: Jennifer Brown; Sherika Derico
• Award Recipient: Sherika Derico

The Dean’s Award for Innovation is presented to a CSU College of Education & Health Professions faculty member or member for innovative methods for improving student learning. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• design of new teaching strategies and report of the work at a state or national conference
• development of novel delivery systems
• development of assessment strategies
• development of a solution of a long-standing problem with “out-of-the-box” thinking
• design of a new process for student teachers

Note: The two faculty members with the highest votes will be the COEHP nominees for the University Teaching Innovation Award.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2023-2024 Academic Year

• Aaron Gierhart

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Jeanine Fittipaldi-Wert

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Jennifer Brown

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Nominees: None
• Award Recipient: None

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Nominees: Deryus Tillman; Lauren Johnson
• Award Recipient: Deryus Tillman

The Creative Endeavors Award is presented to a CSU College of Education & Health Professions Faculty member for creative expression. The award is meant to celebrate the value of these activities, particularly for the role in contributing to student and faculty intellectual growth. Through this award, the COEHP emphasizes the role that its faculty members play in enhancing education, counseling, nursing, exercise and health sciences, and professional studies in Columbus, West Central Georgia, and beyond.

Note: The two faculty members with the highest votes will be the COEHP nominees for the University Creative Endeavors Award.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Aaron Gierhart

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Dawn Frazier (TLC)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Nominees: Megan Hallissey, Kalynn Pistorio, Deryus Tillman
• Award Recipient: Kalynn Pistorio

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Nominees: Deryus Tillman; Lauren Johnson; Mary Beth Hendricks
• Award Recipient: Mary Beth Hendricks

The CSU Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Award recognizes a CSU College of Education & Health Professions faculty member’s engagement in the systematic examination of issues about student learning and instructional conditions which promote the learning, building on previous scholarship. Through this award, the COEHP emphasizes the role that its faculty members play in enhancing education, counseling, nursing, exercise and health sciences, and professional studies in Columbus, West Central Georgia, and beyond. Note: The two faculty members with the highest votes will be the COEHP nominees for the University Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2023–2024 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Chandler Padgett

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Kalynn Pistorio

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Chandler Padgett (Nursing)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Nominees: Toni Franklin, Megan Hallissey, Lauren Johnson, Deryus Tillman
• Award Recipient: Toni Franklin

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Nominees: Deryus Tillman; Erinn Bentley; Lauren Johnson
• Award Recipient: Erinn Bently

The College of Education Health Professions rewards faculty and staff members who have made significant contributions to the university’s internationalization and to the international learning outcomes of our students. Nominees must be current and active CSU faculty or staff member who have been employed at CSU during the whole previous calendar.

Note: the process for CSU International Educator Award is different for this Award than the other CSU Awards.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Kalynn Pistorio (TLC)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• College Nominees: Deryus Tillman
• CSU Award Recipient:

2018–2019 Academic Year

• College Nominees: Erinn Bentley
• CSU Award Recipient: Erinn Bentley

The purpose of the award is to recognize those full-time members of the Columbus State University Graduate Faculty who, in the tradition established by Dr. William “Bill” Chappell, have demonstrated excellence in teaching Columbus State University’s graduate students and have contributed outstanding professional service to the Graduate School, the University and the community.

Note: Each department selects 1 nominee and the college award winner will be submitted to the University Graduate Council.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2023–2024 Academic Year

• No Nomination

2022–2023 Academic Year

• College Nominees: Hanna Lainas

2021–2022 Academic Year

• College Nominees: Saoussan Maarouf

2018–2019 Academic Year

• College Nominees: Deborah Gober, Christopher Garretson, Brian Tyo

The Thomas E. Harrison Leadership Award is presented to a Columbus State University College of Education and Health Professions graduate student, member of the COEHP faculty or staff, administrator, or education partner whose leadership has contributed in significant ways to the College of Education and Health Professions. The term "education partner" is to be broadly interpreted and may include alumni, leaders in the partner schools, CSU faculty, staff, administrators, and others. This award recognizes those who demonstrate excellence in leadership and contribute significantly to the College of Education and Health Professions. Note: nominations will be solicited at a date to be determined.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2023–2024 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Hope Phillips

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Michael Dentzau

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Clay Nicks

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Roger Hatcher (CQTL)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Dr. Ellen Martin

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Dawn Nguyen

The H.T. Ford Graduate Servant Leadership Award is presented to a Columbus State University College of Education and Health Professions graduate student who has best exemplified the spirit of excellence in the following categories:

• Demonstrated Excellence in the Area of Leadership
• Demonstrated Excellence in the Area of Service
• Demonstrated Excellence in the Area of Academic Performance (Include GPA)
• Demonstrated Excellence in Commitment to the Development of Self and Others

Note: nominations will be solicited at a date to be determined.

Current and Previous Award Winners and Nominees

2023–2024 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Leigh McCormick

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Michael Lambert

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Heather Sigmund

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Stephanie Kolwicz (Kinesiology and Health Sciences)

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Farah Halford

2018–2019 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Deborah Gober

2023–2024 Academic Year

Award Recipient: Bridget Smith

2022–2023 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Jennifer Hayes

2021–2022 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Topacio Cruz

2020–2021 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Karen Jones

2019–2020 Academic Year

• Award Recipient: Kimberly Stokes