CHSS Announces 2019-20 Faculty and Staff Award Recipients

KENNESAW, Ga. (Oct 9, 2020) — The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Kennesaw State University is pleased to announce the 2019-2020 Faculty and Staff Award recipients. In recognition of the outstanding work of our faculty and staff, CHSS presents one award annually in specific categories.

Maia Hallward, Professor of Middle East Politics in the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development, earned the Distinguished Professor Award. The award is designed to encourage, reward, and publicly acknowledge sustained excellence in Teaching, Research and Creative Activity, and Professional Service, by members of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ faculty. The award recognizes excellence in all three areas of faculty performance and in the integration of the three areas into a coherent career thread.

Brian Starks, Associate Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, was named the recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Award. This award acknowledges strong commitment to teaching and student success; excellence in teaching practices that reflect the highest standards of pedagogy; a record of outstanding teaching effectiveness within and outside the classroom; effective course design or program development; and the ability to inspire, promote, and sustain students’ intellectual growth emphasizing independent inquiry and critical thinking.

Tom Okie, Associate Professor of History Education and History in the Department of History and Philosophy, earned the Research and Creative Activity Award. The award is designed to encourage, reward, and publicly acknowledge sustained excellence in research and creative activity by members of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ faculty. The award recognizes excellence in the visual and performing arts, in the publication of scholarly work, in the completion of research and sponsored projects, and in the development of new and innovative ideas in research and creative activity.

Jennifer Dickey, Coordinator of Public History and Associate Professor of History in the Department of History and Philosophy, was named the recipient of the Outstanding Professional Service Award. The award recognizes sustained excellence in professional service within the university through departmental, college, and institutional service or leadership; a record of substantial external service in local, state, regional, national, or international communities either in professional disciplinary endeavors or in the multiple forms that community engagement can take (including teaching and scholarship); or a combination of internal and external service and leadership.

Beverly Reece, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, earned the Outstanding Early Career Award. The award honors the cumulative contributions of an early career, full-time faculty member demonstrating exceptional contributions in the beginning of their academic career. A set of contributions consistent with the faculty members percent workload should be present across the areas of research and creative activity, teaching, and professional service.

Julia Brown-Rauton, Part-Time Instructor of Psychology in the Department of Psychological Science, recently passed away, but was honored with the Part-Time Faculty Distinguished Teaching Award. The award is designed to encourage, reward, and publicly acknowledge sustained excellence in teaching by part-time faculty. The award recognizes excellence in teaching practices that reflect the highest standards pedagogy, a record of outstanding teaching effectiveness, the ability to inspire, promote, and sustain the intellectual development of students, course and program development, fostering of critical thinking and independent inquiry of students.

Kenneth Williamson, Associate Professor of Anthropology in the Department of Geography and Anthropology and Interdisciplinary Studies Department, earned the Diversity Advocate Award. The award honors the cumulative contributions of a full-time faculty member to advance diversity and inclusion at KSU. Contributions can include, but are not limited to, the mentoring of diverse students and faculty; advising students or student organizations; curriculum development, academic teaching, research, teaching, or service.

Anagha Sahasrabudhe, Business Manager in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences Office of the Dean, was named the recipient of the Outstanding Team Member Staff Award. This award is for a team member whose combined skills and attitude have made an outstanding contribution to positive change, a new initiative or success of the department/program/center/college.

Susanne Rothery, Clerical Lead in the Department of Geography and Anthropology, earned the Excellence in Customer Service Staff Award. The staff member nominated for this award is friendly, knowledgeable, professional and able to demonstrate commitment to providing an excellent customer experience. They may have exceeded customer’s expectations in a particular situation, or offer consistently high standards of service on a day to day basis, by going above and beyond what's expected or required.

Brayden Milam, Student Assistant in the Office of Digital Education, earned the Student Assistant Above the Call Award. The award honors the student assistant that goes above and beyond the call in delivering an exceptional first impression and serves internal and external customers with professionalism, enthusiasm and care, leaving a lasting impression for all they come into contact with.

Congratulations to all of the award recipients! Check out the video below for more information on all of the winners.