OIA-PFSA-Program-2021

2021 PRESIDENTIAL
FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

Virtual // Wednesday, April 7, 2021 // 12 p.m.

CAMPUS LEADERSHIP

PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL CAMPUS GOVERNANCE

Freeman A. Hrabowski, III Orianne Smith
Philip Rous Faculty Senate

Lisa Akchin Bobby Lubaszewski ’10
Keith Bowman Professional Staff Senate

Dana Burr Bradley Melody Wright, P.B.C. ’18
Katharine Cole Non-Exempt Staff Senate
David Gleason, M.S. ’04
Peter Henderson Samantha Fries ’18
William LaCourse Graduate Student Association
Patrice McDermott
Kimberly Moffitt Mehrshad Devin
Student Government Association

Antonio Moreira

Yvette Mozie-Ross ’88

Charles Nicholas

Janet Rutledge

Lynne Schaefer

Gregory Simmons, M.P.P. ’04

Orianne Smith

Christopher Steele

Karl Steiner

John “Jack” Suess ’81, M.S. ’95

Valerie Thomas

Nancy Young



2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

PRESIDENTIAL TEACHING & RESEARCH PROFESSORS

Presidential Teaching and Research Professors, named annually
to three-year appointments, are nominated by administrative and
academic departments and selected by a committee of current
Presidential Teaching and Research Award recipients. They are
honored for their professional accomplishments, dedication to the
fulfillment of the University’s mission, and service to the University.
In the first year of their appointments, the Presidential Teaching
and Research Professors serve as marshals, leading the student and
faculty processions at Convocation and Commencement.

PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED STAFF AWARD

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

The Presidential Distinguished Staff Award-Professional Staff
recognizes exceptional performance, leadership, and service
by a full-time member of the associate staff. To be eligible for
consideration, nominees must have been employed by UMBC for
at least seven years and have a career distinguished by dedication
to achieving the University’s mission and goals, by professional
accomplishments, and by service to the campus. Recipients are
nominated by their colleagues across campus and selected by
UMBC’s Staff Awards Committee.

NON-EXEMPT STAFF

The Presidential Distinguished Staff Award–Non-Exempt
Staff recognizes exceptional performance and service by a
full-time member of the non-exempt staff. To be eligible for
consideration, nominees must have been employed by UMBC for
at least five years and have a career distinguished by dedication
to achieving the University’s mission and goals by service to the
campus. Recipients are nominated by their colleagues across
campus and selected by UMBC’s Staff Awards Committee.

4

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND
BOARD OF REGENTS’ FACULTY AWARDS

Regents’ Faculty Awards publicly recognize distinguished
performance on the part of faculty members. This award is the
highest honor presented by the Board of Regents to exemplary
faculty members. The awardees are selected by the Council of
University System Faculty and submitted to the Board of Regents
for approval. The awards are presented to faculty members who
have demonstrated excellence in one of the following categories:
(1) teaching; (2) research, scholarship, or creative activity; (3) public
service; (4) mentoring; (5) innovation. Four awards may be given
in categories one through four with the possibility of one award
in each category being designated for a collaboration. One award
may be given in the last category, innovation, for a total of
17 awards.

UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND
BOARD OF REGENTS’ STAFF AWARDS

Regents’ Staff Awards publicly recognize distinguished performance
on the part of exempt and non-exempt staff members from institutions
within the University System in Maryland. This award is the highest
honor presented by the Board of Regents to exemplary staff members.
The awardees are selected by the Council of University System Staff
and submitted to the Board of Regents for approval. The awards are
presented to staff members who have demonstrated excellence in
one of the following categories: (1) contribution to the institution
and/or unit to which the person belongs; (2) service to students in
an academic or residential environment; (3) public service to the
university or greater community; or (4) effectiveness and efficiency
in academic or administrative transformation. There are two awards
given in each category–one exempt and one non-exempt–for a total of
eight awards.

5

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS
JAKUBIK FAMILY ENDOWMENT STAFF AWARD
The Jakubik Family Endowment Staff Award honors an exceptional
staff member who has contributed to student academic success.
Staff members are selected by the UMBC Staff Awards Committee
based on their innovative advisement, excellence in teaching,
creative application of technology, mentorship of undergraduate
students, or development of new programs. Awardees have
worked at UMBC for at least five years and have made a positive
contribution to student success.
KAREN L. WENSCH ENDOWMENT AWARD
The Karen L. Wensch Endowment Award for Outstanding
Non-Exempt Staff honors non-exempt staff who make outstanding
contributions in one or more of the following areas: engagement
in the UMBC community, dedication to UMBC, performance above
and beyond position requirements, personal commitment and
persistence to his/her work, excellent problem solving skills, high
professional standards, community involvement off campus, and
advocacy for non-exempt staff. Awardees have worked at UMBC
for at least five years as a member of the non-exempt staff.

6

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS
MARILYN E. DEMOREST AWARD
FOR FACULTY ADVANCEMENT
The Marilyn E. Demorest Award for Faculty Advancement honors
an exceptional faculty member who has made outstanding
contributions to the mission of supporting the advancement of
faculty members and their academic careers. Faculty awardees
are selected by a committee of their peers based on their deep
commitment to fostering professional excellence and career
advancement, and success at UMBC through mentorship,
collaboration, and innovative programs and services.
UMBC RESEARCH FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARD
Established in 2018, the UMBC Research Faculty Excellence
Award recognizes excellence in research and, where appropriate,
significant contributions to teaching and service or leadership by
research faculty. Awardees are selected by a committee of their
peers based on the quality of their research and its impact on
UMBC’s success. Nominees must have been research or clinical
faculty at UMBC for at least three years.

7

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 AWARDEES

Presidential Teaching Faculty Award USM Board of Regents’ Faculty Award
Lee Blaney for Exceptional Contribution to the
Associate Professor, Institution and/or Unit to Which the
Chemical, Biochemical and Person Belongs
Environmental Engineering Rachel Brubaker
Assistant Director, Grants & Program
Presidential Research Faculty Award Development, Dresher Center for
Phyllis Robinson the Humanities
Professor, Biological Sciences
USM Board of Regents’ Faculty Award
Presidential Distinguished for Effectiveness and Efficiency
Professional Staff Award Celso Guitian
Amanda M. Knapp Campus Planner, Facilities Management
Associate Vice Provost and Assistant
Dean, Division of Undergraduate USM Board of Regents’ Faculty Award
Academic Affairs for Extraordinary Public Service to the
University or to the Greater Community
Presidential Distinguished Larry Hennessey
Non-Exempt Staff Award Associate Director, Facilities Management
Melody Wright, P.B.C. ’18
Academic Business Services Specialist, USM Board of Regents’ Faculty
Biological Sciences Award for Inclusion, Multiculturalism,
& Social Justice
USM Board of Regents’ Faculty Jess Myers
Award for Excellence in Teaching Director, Women's Center
E. F. Charles LaBerge
Professor of the Practice, Computer Jakubik Family Endowment Award
Science and Electrical Engineering Jessica R. Cook
Associate Director, Sondheim Public
USM Board of Regents’ Faculty Affairs Scholars Program
Award for Excellence in Research,
Scholarship, or Creativity Karen L. Wensch Endowment Award for
Weidong Zhu Outstanding Non-Exempt Staff
Professor, Mechanical Engineering Carolyn Good
Administrative Assistant II,
USM Board of Regents’ Faculty Modern Languages, Linguistics,
Award for Excellence in Mentoring and Intercultural Communication
Steven Caruso
Senior Lecturer, Biological Sciences UMBC Research Faculty
Excellence Award
USM Board of Regents’ Faculty Ann Christine Frankowski
Award for Excellence in Mentoring Senior Research Scientist, Sociology,
Denise Meringolo Anthropology, and Public Health
Associate Professor, History,
and Director of Public History

8

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 – 2023 PRESIDENTIAL TEACHING PROFESSOR

Lee Blaney

Associate Professor, Chemical, Biochemical
and Environmental Engineering

Lee Blaney has established himself as a strong educator,
and a supporter of undergraduate research and service-
learning opportunities for students. Throughout his
tenure in UMBC’s Department of Chemical, Biochemical,
and Environmental Engineering, Blaney has made
significant contributions to excellence in teaching, and
regularly serves as a mentor for students conducting research in his lab, in his
classes, and across campus.

Since arriving at UMBC in 2011, Blaney has dedicated himself to engaging
students in a variety of settings, including the classroom, lab, and field, and
presenting challenges that allow students to grow their critical thinking skills and
expand their knowledge. His teaching philosophy is to provide a safe learning
environment to students without fear of being incorrect, to promote collaboration
inside and outside of the classroom, and to challenge students to think critically
and outperform what they expect of themselves. He cultivates curiosity in his
students and inspires faculty to invest in students.

In the classroom, Blaney leads students in highly interactive conversations, and
uses electronic tools, in-class problems, and diagrams to augment his lectures.
As an instructor, Blaney encourages his students to ask questions, which often
help guide the discussion in his classroom. He aims to nurture his students, while
allowing them to become independent problem solvers. Students in Blaney’s
classes consistently provide highly complimentary comments and reviews
about his teaching style and coursework. His students describe his style as
approachable, challenging, enthusiastic, and respectful.

Blaney’s expertise in innovative pedagogy has impacted students outside of
the chemical, biochemical, and environmental engineering department. He
understands the interdisciplinarity of the environmental engineering field, and
seeks out opportunities to connect with students and faculty across campus. Blaney
has given guest lectures in courses across departments and colleges at UMBC.

He also serves as the faculty advisor of UMBC’s Engineers Without Borders
chapter. Under Blaney’s leadership, the chapter helped bring clean water to a
village in Kenya, and the group is now working on a project in Costa Rica.

Blaney received his B.S. and M.S. in environmental engineering from Lehigh
University, and his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

9

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 – 2023 PRESIDENTIAL RESEARCH PROFESSOR

Phyllis Robinson

Professor, Biological Sciences

Phyllis Robinson joined the UMBC faculty in 1992.
Throughout her career, Robinson has balanced a highly
productive research enterprise in her visual neuroscience
laboratory with award-winning mentoring for dozens of
students at all levels. She has served as the Robert and Jane
Meyerhoff Chair in the Department of Biological Sciences
since 2018.

Robinson’s research focuses on molecules that convert light into a signal the brain
can understand, primarily the function and regulation of melanopsin, a protein found
in the retina of most animals, including humans. Melanopsin is most active in the
non-image forming visual system, which includes regulation of circadian rhythms
and the way our pupils respond to light.

Robinson and colleagues were the first to purify melanopsin and identify its
fundamental properties. A leader in this field, she successfully studied how
melanopsin is regulated by the addition of phosphate molecules. She is now
examining how melanopsin plays a role in larger circadian rhythm patterns and
sleep disorders.

Robinson has received nearly $4 million in federal funding from the National
Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, including two major,
highly coveted NIH R01 grants. She has published nearly 50 peer-reviewed research
papers. The vision science community has demonstrated its respect for her work by
electing her to the International Retinal Protein Society’s advisory board and as chair
of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology’s 2022 meeting.

While conducting this pioneering research, Robinson also co-founded UMBC’s
Women in Science and Engineering group, which led to the ADVANCE program.
ADVANCE has helped UMBC make significant strides in increasing the number
of women in tenure-track STEM faculty roles. Robinson’s leadership in this and
other efforts was recognized with the 2017 – 2018 Marilyn E. Demorest Award for
Faculty Advancement and the 2012 UMBC President’s Commission for Women
Achievement Award.

Ever-committed to student success, Robinson is the program director for MARC
U*STAR, a scholars program supporting underrepresented students who intend
to pursue graduate degrees in the biomedical sciences. Her former students laud
her mentorship, which was recognized with the University of Maryland System
Board of Regents’ Faculty Award for Mentoring in 2002 and the Leadership Alliance
Mentoring Award in 2006.

Robinson earned a B.A. in biology from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in zoology
from the University of Wisconsin.

10

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 – 2021 PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED STAFF AWARD,
PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Amanda M. Knapp

Associate Vice Provost and Assistant Dean,
Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Since joining the UMBC community in 2011, Amanda
M. Knapp has developed a reputation for promoting all
aspects of student success and upholding the integrity of
UMBC’s academic standards through uniform application
of policy, ensuring that all students are treated fairly and
equitably. Her visionary contributions, collegiality, and
commitment to student success are recognized across UMBC.

Knapp leveraged her experience, enthusiasm, process improvement skills, and
innovative vision in starting new programs by leading the creation of three major
new student success initiatives over the course of one year. She was instrumental
in making UMBC’s vision of an Academic Success Center to provide academic
support and guidance to students from all majors a reality. She led the creation
of the Office of Academic Advocacy, chairing the search committee, hiring and
training three academic advocates, and working with the Division of Information
Technology to develop a new case management system to assist the advocates'
student outreach efforts. She also coordinated the Undergraduate Student
Success Committee’s initiatives and focus groups, enabling it to move forward
in a strategic, meaningful way while empowering members to focus on their
particular areas of expertise.

Knapp also supports the broader UMBC community by leading or serving on
more than 20 divisional, University-wide, or University System of Maryland
committees or workgroups, providing mentoring for the Professional Staff
Senate, and supporting the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.

As a first-generation college student with a Ph.D., Knapp serves as an example
for and mentor to other current and prospective first-generation students. An
avid off-road motorcycle racer, she often volunteers her time and expertise to
support young women and race families around the country who are seeking
guidance about higher education. Knapp often uses racing references to
describe the parallels to higher education to make the topic relatable.

Knapp earned a B.S. in business administration with a concentration in human
resources management and an Ed.M. in education with a concentration in higher
education administration from the University at Buffalo, the State University of
New York; and her Ph.D. in education policy from the University of Maryland,
College Park.

11

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 – 2021 PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED STAFF AWARD,
NON-EXEMPT STAFF

Melody Wright, P.B.C. ’18

Academic Business Services Specialist,
Biological Sciences

Melody Wright has consistently excelled in positions of
increasing responsibility in the Department of Biological
Sciences over the past eight years. She goes above and
beyond in effectively and efficiently supporting the
department’s leadership, faculty, staff, and students,
while also continuing her own education and serving the
University and her local community.

Wright joined UMBC in 2011 as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of
Biological Sciences, where she displayed strong interpersonal skills and a talent
for process improvement. She quickly established herself as an efficient steward of
taxpayer funds by saving the department $25,000 in its office supply budget.

In 2013, she became the department’s Graduate Program Coordinator, a complex
position that included recruiting and advising students; preparing contracts;
ensuring compliance with all Graduate School requirements; tracking student
progress; and planning events like the annual Graduate Association of Biological
Sciences Symposium and graduate student visit day. She also managed the
department’s budget and front office staff. Wright proactively took on additional
responsibilities and taught herself new skills to enhance and modernize processes.
She developed and implemented a new system for guiding students to degree
completion and led the department’s transition to an electronic recruitment process.

Wright has been Assistant to the Department Chair since 2019, supporting the
chair, 36 faculty, and more than 2,000 students. As scheduling coordinator, she
uses her strong organizational and interpersonal skills to schedule more than 70
classes, discussion sessions, and labs, often partnering with other departments for
cross-departmental courses. Wright also serves as events coordinator, scheduling
lectures, faculty retreats, and conferences.

Wright serves the UMBC community as Vice President of the Non-Exempt Staff
Senate (NESS) and represents the NESS on the University Steering Committee, of
which she is the Vice Chair. She is the first staff member from her department to
serve in such a high-profile campus role. Wright is also active in her local community.
where she has served as a Girl Scout leader and in leadership positions with her
homeowners association.

Wright graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in business administration from the
University of Maryland, University College while working full-time at UMBC. She
earned a post-baccalaureate certificate and is working toward a master’s degree in
instructional systems development at UMBC.

12

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF REGENTS'
FACULTY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

E. F. Charles LaBerge, P.h.D. ’03

Professor of the Practice, Computer Science
and Electrical Engineering

Since joining UMBC in 2008, E.F. Charles LaBerge’s career
has been marked by outstanding classroom instruction,
innovative teaching methods, and development of active
learning spaces on campus. He brings a wealth of industry
experience and knowledge to UMBC students enrolled in
the range of courses that he teaches. As a professor of
the practice in computer science and electrical engineering, LaBerge exposes
his students to computer and electrical engineering concepts through real-
world examples and multidisciplinary instruction. His extensive connections in
industry have benefited his students and helped to prepare them for careers and
graduate degrees.

As an instructor for the introduction to engineering course taken by all
engineering students, he has impacted the educational careers of students
across the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT). He
consistently receives high ranks and positive comments from students on course
evaluations. Both his students and colleagues acknowledge and appreciate
LaBerge’s modern approach to classroom instruction, which incorporates
technology and new practices.

LaBerge was instrumental in the development of UMBC’s Active Learning
Center, a space that supports collaborative learning to promote student
success and retention in computing courses. He is a strong supporter of
students across campus, opening his office to students, from those who have
questions about classes to those seeking professional advice and mentorship.
His teaching extends beyond the classroom, and he supports and mentors
students presenting at UMBC’s annual Undergraduate Research and Creative
Achievement Day each spring.

He is a very engaged member of COEIT, having served as the undergraduate
program director for computer engineering and as the coordinator for computer
engineering’s accreditation program, among other roles. His commitment
to the College was recognized with the inaugural College of Engineering and
Information Technology Award for Teaching Excellence in 2018. This award was
presented to him based on feedback from fellow faculty and colleagues.

LaBerge earned his B.S. and M.S. in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins
University, and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from UMBC.

13

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF
REGENTS' FACULTY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH,
SCHOLARSHIP, OR CREATIVITY

Weidong Zhu

Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Weidong Zhu has established himself as a leading
researcher in the field of dynamic systems, with a focus
on vibration experimentation, integrated analytical
development, and applications in industry. Over his
exceptional career, he has produced more than 180
peer-reviewed articles in top-ranked journals in his
field, in addition to more than 125 peer-reviewed
conference papers. Zhu holds five U.S. patents, has received five best paper
awards from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and has been
awarded more than $5 million from external research funding sources.

His research has significantly impacted the quality of everyday life for
many people, including by producing safe and efficient structures such as
elevators, wind turbines, and automotive transmissions. Zhu is passionate
about sharing his knowledge and research with society. He has given more
than 180 presentations at major international conferences, delivered nearly
25 keynote addresses, and given 145 seminars at companies and institutions
around the world. His productivity as a researcher at UMBC is recognized as
one of the strongest at the institution. His contributions have been innovative
and highly impactful. As a result of his expertise, numerous large companies
have called on Zhu to address large challenges they face.

Zhu supports student research, and serves as a mentor to undergraduate
and graduate students. Over his 20 years at UMBC, he has supported 43
undergraduate students in their research as they prepared for graduate
studies. His passion for research extends beyond UMBC. Zhu has worked to
get high school students excited about research by providing opportunities to
underserved students in Baltimore City. In 2004, he received a CAREER Award
from the National Science Foundation, which he used to found the Future
Engineers in Dynamic Systems Academy. The program works to broaden
participation in engineering and science for high school students in Baltimore
City high schools. More than 120 students have participated in the Academy.

He earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering and computational science
from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, his M.S. in mechanical engineering from
Arizona State University, and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the
University of California at Berkeley.

14

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF REGENTS'
FACULTY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MENTORING

Steven Caruso ’94, Ph.D. ’02

Principal Lecturer, Biological Sciences

Steven Caruso joined the UMBC biological sciences
faculty in 2001, and was promoted to principal lecturer
in 2020. He has led a revolution in pedagogy in his
department, resulting in an array of laboratory courses
that truly give students—and instructors—the chance to
experience “aha” moments. Colleagues and students
alike appreciate Caruso’s sense of humor, willingness
to listen to feedback and try new things, and his knack for helping students
develop confidence to accompany their laboratory and teaching skills.

The cornerstone of Caruso’s work is his leadership on the Science Education
Alliance: Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Sciences
(SEA-PHAGES) program. In 2008, UMBC became a founding institution of
the Howard Hughes Medical Institute-funded SEA-PHAGES program with
11 other schools. SEA-PHAGES is an inquiry-based laboratory course that
gives students the opportunity to learn a range of highly relevant laboratory
techniques while gaining a greater appreciation for the scientific process. It
has grown to nearly 150 institutions and influenced the collegiate and career
trajectories of tens of thousands of students.

Most importantly, neither Caruso nor the students know exactly what will
happen at the outset of each semester—SEA-PHAGES is nothing less than real
scientific discovery. In fact, students often identify viruses that are completely
new to science. SEA-PHAGES at UMBC has resulted in nine academic journal
publications with more than 600 student authors. This experience has also
helped students gain employment throughout the biotech sector.

Caruso also provides authentic and dedicated mentorship to colleagues
dipping their toes into active learning, SEA-PHAGES’ graduate and
undergraduate teaching assistants, and students in the course. In recognition
of his teaching at UMBC and this strong mentorship, Caruso received the Carl
Weber Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching in 2017.

Caruso is also the faculty advisor for the UMBC Biological Sciences Council
of Majors, the Pre-Medical Society, the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Society, and
the Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity. Beginning in 2015,
he developed and implemented a class-based undergraduate research
experience for UMBC’s STEM BUILD trainees.

Caruso earned bachelor’s degrees in biological sciences and psychology and
his Ph.D. in biological sciences from UMBC.

15

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF REGENTS'
FACULTY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MENTORING

Denise Meringolo

Associate Professor, History, and Director
of Public History

Denise Meringolo is at the forefront of community-
engaged scholarship and is widely recognized
by students and colleagues for her commitment
to mentoring students and fostering their career
development and success. This dedication has helped
her place students in internships and jobs that serve as
professional entry points in their fields of interest. Meringolo’s purposeful and
successful mentoring style has drawn undergraduate and graduate students
to UMBC specifically seeking to work with her.

Meringolo’s approach to mentoring is guided by her appreciation and care for
students as people and her interest in getting to know their specific needs and
goals. As the director of the graduate and undergraduate programs in public
history, she mentors students by helping them find internship placements
that draw upon their personal passions and professional goals. Her students
say she has a gift for finding such placements, which have simultaneously
advanced research and practice within the field of public history and led to
employment opportunities for the students. She is dedicated to significantly
diversifying the field of public history by prioritizing mentoring women, Black,
Asian, and Latinx students.

Meringolo’s community-engaged public humanities research promotes and
supports the communities that surround UMBC. She is dedicated to creating
knowledge with and for underrepresented communities. Meringolo was
awarded the prestigious Whiting Foundation Fellowship in 2018-2019 for
her work in creating an open digital repository for community members to
share images, oral histories, and videos in the wake of the Baltimore Uprising.
As a Whiting Fellow, Meringolo worked with Baltimore high school teachers
and students to develop interpretations about the historical roots of racial
injustice and political unrest in the city in which they live and go to school.

She has supported the UMBC community by chairing and serving on master's
thesis committees and as the faculty sponsor for dozens of graduate and
undergraduate interns. In 2012, she led the creation of an undergraduate
minor in public history, resulting in a dramatic increase in undergraduates
pursuing public history internships.

Meringolo earned a B.A. in American studies from The George Washington
University, an M.A. in English from the University of Maryland, College Park,
and her Ph.D. in American studies from The George Washington University.

16

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2019 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF REGENTS'
STAFF AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE
INSTITUTION AND/OR UNIT TO WHICH THE PERSON BELONGS

Rachel Brubaker

Assistant Director, Grants & Program Development,
Dresher Center for the Humanities

Rachel Brubaker’s appreciation for the critical role history,
the humanities, and the arts play in our understanding of
the human condition, and her dedication to promoting
scholarship in these areas, has placed UMBC at the
forefront of humanities scholarship, instruction, and
research. Her creative thinking and resourcefulness in
seeking funding for humanities and arts research is a cornerstone of UMBC’s
commitment to academic innovation and greater engagement in solving our
most pressing issues.

During her time at UMBC’s Center for History Education, Brubaker’s skill for writing
grant proposals and community building brought $8 million to the University to
provide professional development for K-12 history teachers in Maryland. As a
result, hundreds of teachers across the state were able to participate in programs
to help them create lessons that would instill their students with a love for learning
about history to improve their critical thinking skills.

Brubaker joined the Dresher Center for Humanities as Assistant Director for
Grants & Program Development in 2014. In this role, she has helped faculty
develop innovative grant proposals for major humanities organizations including
the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities
(NEH), the National Endowment for the Arts, the Carnegie Corporation of New
York, and the John Simon Guggenheimn and Coby Foundations. As a direct
result of her work, UMBC shared in a grant from the NEH’s Humanities in the
Public Square program for “Baltimore Stories: Narratives and the Life of an
American City.” She was also instrumental in securing a Mellon Foundation grant
for a major partnership with Bowie State University, Coppin State University, and
Howard University for “The Inclusion Imperative: Programs in Support of Diversity
in the Humanities.” Brubaker also secured funding from multiple sources for “A
Designed Life,” a traveling exhibition organized through UMBC’s Center for Art,
Design & Visual Culture, as well as an accompanying scholarly publication.

In addition, she has helped UMBC faculty to apply for and win prestigious
fellowships at the Library of Congress, the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum, The Whiting Foundation, the National Humanities Center, the Carnegie
Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and American Council
of Learned Societies, among others.

Brubaker earned a B.F.A. in arts and design from Virginia Commonwealth
University and an M.A. in historical studies from UMBC.

17

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2019 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF REGENTS'
STAFF AWARD FOR EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY

Celso Guitian

Campus Planner, Facilities Management

As UMBC’s Campus Planner, Celso Guitian plays a
pivotal role in improving access for individuals with
disabilities, advancing UMBC's strategic plan, creating
a long-range plan for campus growth, and promoting
sustainable practices. HIs leadership and vision across
two major projects—UMBC’s 2018 Facilities Master Plan
and Access Maryland program—have saved nearly $2.5
million in operating costs. He embraces UMBC's collaborative culture and
enjoys engaging faculty, staff, and students to develop creative solutions for
the campus's physical development.

Upon joining UMBC in 2009, Guitian hit the ground running, making significant
contributions to the campus’s 2009 Facilities Master Plan. He led UMBC’s 2018
Facilities Master Plan process, leveraging his extensive experience as an architect
to do the work in-house and displaying his creativity across the project. As a
result of Guitian’s innovative proposal and willingness to spearhead this massive
undertaking, UMBC saved $500,000 that would have been spent on external
consultants. The University System of Maryland Board of Regents approved
the plan, noting it was a cut above the rest. Guitian’s leadership, creativity, and
commitment to excellence were critical to this project.

Guitian also serves as UMBC’s Access Maryland program coordinator, a role that
meshes seamlessly with his work on long-range campus planning and efforts to
promote sustainable practices. He uses his skills as an architect, urban planner,
and grant proposal writer to help ensure that UMBC facilities are accessible to all
students, faculty, staff, and visitors. As a result of his ingenuity and commitment
to accessibility for all, UMBC has been awarded nearly $2 million in grant funding
to undertake important accessibility improvements.

In addition to his work as Campus Planner, Guitian engages with the campus
community as a member of UMBC's Classroom Committee, developing and
advocating for Facilities Management's classroom and lecture hall renewal plans.
He also serves on the Title IX Board of Review.

Guitian holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Maryland,
College Park, and a master's degree in urban planning from the City College of
New York. He is a registered architect in the state of Maryland.

18

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2019 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF REGENTS’
STAFF AWARD FOR EXTRAORDINARY PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE
UNIVERSITY OR TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY

Larry Hennessey

Associate Director, Facilities Management

Since joining the UMBC community in 2007, Larry
Hennessey has tirelessly supported the health of the
natural environment of UMBC’s campus. His commitment
and passion have made a measurable, significant impact
on the health of our local ecosystem and waterways.
Hennessey is truly a public servant, exemplifying UMBC’s
belief that public service goes beyond serving people to
serving our environment. He does both with skill, enthusiasm, and dedication and
inspires other members of the UMBC community to do the same.

Streams on UMBC’s campus lead to the Patapsco River and eventually the
Chesapeake Bay. Both are treasures worth preserving for the future, and
Hennessey has made it his mission to positively influence their health. He has also
worked tirelessly, both on campus and in nearby Baltimore City, to proactively
address invasive plants and retain the biodiversity of our campus’ natural areas.
He is respected across campus for his consistent, long-term commitment to
conservation efforts and for the way he inspires students to get involved in this
important work.

As an advisor to the Environmental Task Force (ETF), Hennessey is training the
environmental stewards of the future. He participates with ETF members in stream
clean ups every week and when needed, he provides supplies for the students with
his personal funds. He mentored the ETF student leaders through the process of
applying for a Keep Maryland Beautiful grant, providing structure and support
while empowering them to own the project. He lives by example, taking small steps
every day to improve our local environment, and to train the leaders of tomorrow in
how to become staunch advocates for sustainability wherever they are.

Hennessey earned a B.A. in geography and environmental engineering and a B.S.
in civil engineering from Johns Hopkins University. He is a registered professional
engineer in the State of Maryland, holds certifications from the Construction
Specifications Institute in contract administration and specifications, and is
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited. He is a
member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of
Architects, and the Construction Specifications Institute.

19

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2019 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF REGENTS’
STAFF AWARD FOR INCLUSION, MULTICULTURALISM,
& SOCIAL JUSTICE

Jess Myers

Director, Women's Center

As Director of the UMBC Women's Center, Jess
Myers constantly strives to support and advocate for
intersectional feminism, critical sexuality and gender
awareness, and anti-racist perspectives with the goal
of moving them from the margins to the mainstream of
campus life. Myers’ relational skills, empathy, strategic
thinking, fierce advocacy, and collegiality have been
transformative on campus, especially as the UMBC community strived to come
together to heal and make important changes in how the University prevents and
responds to sexual violence.

Myers and the Women’s Center have been at the epicenter of UMBC's response
to sexual violence, meeting with survivors and serving as a resource for faculty
and staff. She played a key role in developing and implementing the Retriever
Courage initiative. Myers has built her reputation by displaying integrity
and compassion, and by being an insistent but politically astute advocate for
institutional change. She has earned the respect and trust of students, faculty,
staff, and administrators.

Since joining UMBC in 2011, Myers has shown her commitment to diversity
and inclusion by creating innovative social justice programming and through
exceptional contributions to the University’s mission of valuing cultural and
ethnic diversity, social responsibility, and life-long learning. In recognition of this
work, she received UMBC’s 2017-2018 Jakubik Family Endowment Staff Award.

Myers spearheaded the interdisciplinary Critical Social Justice initiative, which
explores social justice in theory and practice. She has been instrumental in the
growth of the Returning Women Students Program, which offers workshops and
programs focusing on the academic, personal, and professional aspects of life as
a returning woman student.

Myers is active in the Mid-Atlantic Women's Center Directors group, has served
as a panelist and presenter at local and national conferences, and has published
several articles. In 2015, she received the Outstanding Achievement Award from
the National Women’s Studies Association Women’s Center Committee. She
has also been honored with a University System of Maryland Women’s Forum
Professional Development Award. Myers is also a leader in her local community,
where she has volunteered with several advocacy groups supporting survivors
of sexual assault.

Myers earned a B.A. in social work from The Catholic University of America and
an M.S. in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University.

20

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2019 – 2020 JAKUBIK FAMILY ENDOWMENT
STAFF AWARD

Jessica R. Cook

Associate Director, Sondheim Public
Affairs Scholars Program

Since coming to UMBC in 2013, Jessica Cook has leveraged
her extensive academic and personal experience with
service learning and international education to enhance
the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program. She has
built a reputation as a talented and innovative program
manager and an empathetic advisor and caring mentor
who both current students and alumni regularly seek out for guidance.

As Associate Director of the Sondheim program, Cook advises 60 students,
recruits future Retrievers for the program, plans public service-related events for
the scholars, and co-teaches English and public affairs service-learning courses for
first-year scholars.

An innovative program manager, Cook has developed and implemented initiatives
to strengthen the Sondheim program. She increased community-building
opportunities for scholars by collaborating with colleagues to add activities to
the honors orientation program to help incoming Sondheim scholars bond with
each other as they begin their higher education journey. She built on this effort by
creating and leading a new weekend retreat for all Sondheim scholars to enable
cross-cohort community building.

In addition, Cook drew upon her experience in international education to develop,
propose, and gain approval to lead a future study abroad service-learning course
open to all undergraduate students that will focus on contemporary social issues
in South Africa.

Colleagues and students describe Cook as an empathetic, caring mentor and
advisor who goes above and beyond for her students, often sacrificing personal
time to answer questions and provide guidance on topics such as coursework, public
service internship opportunities, and practical aspects of the transition to university
life. Many have stated that Cook’s insightful advising and mentorship changed
the trajectory of their future plans by making them aware of the importance of
public service and service learning and the varied post-baccalaureate educational
opportunities and career paths in public service. Since Cook joined the Sondheim
program, it has produced a number of Fulbright scholars and Newman Civic Fellows,
and many alumni have gone on to graduate studies in public service-related subjects.

Cook earned a B.A. in communications studies from Macalester College, an M.A.
in leadership in student affairs from the University of St. Thomas, and is working
toward a Ph.D. in international education policy from the University of Maryland,
College Park.

21

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2019 – 2020 KAREN L. WENSCH ENDOWMENT AWARD FOR
OUTSTANDING NON-EXEMPT STAFF

Carolyn Good

Administrative Assistant II, Modern Languages,
Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication

Since joining the UMBC community in 2005, Carolyn
Good has consistently demonstrated the professionalism,
strong organizational and interpersonal skills, attention
to detail, and sense of humor that are key to being a
successful administrative professional. She has earned
the respect of administrators, faculty, staff, and students
with her proactive nature, friendliness, can-do spirit, kindness, and compassion.

Upon coming to UMBC, Good joined the Department of Modern Languages,
Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication (MLLI), where she was responsible
for preparing course schedules and partnering with the Registrar's Office on
scheduling matters. She quickly established herself as a competent and caring
member of the MLLI team by creating a more efficient system for processing
language proficiency waivers. She served as MLLI’s front door for students,
faculty, staff, and visitors, becoming known for her kind and caring personality
and warmth when assisting students.

Good moved to the Office of Undergraduate Education in 2008, where she
supported the Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, broadened
her knowledge of UMBC departments and programs, and interacted with
students, faculty, and staff from across the University, as well as with parents.

The MLLI team universally celebrated Good’s 2010 return because they
had come to rely on her steady hand and compassionate nature. Her vast
array of responsibilities include supporting the chair and approximately 65
faculty members, ensuring that the department runs efficiently, documenting
information for the promotion and tenure and new position search processes,
and maintaining student advising records. She often goes above and beyond
her regular responsibilities. When the department’s finance personnel left with
little notice, she jumped in to take on their responsibilities in addition to her
own, and later trained and mentored the new business manager. As a result of
these and other contributions, MLLI leadership views Good as instrumental to
ensuring the department’s well-being.

Good is also dedicated to serving the broader UMBC community. She
coordinates MLLI's support for the Maryland Charity Campaign and the Retriever
Essentials program, even collecting donations from her family and friends to
help members of the UMBC community. She also serves her local community by
fostering kittens for the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter.

22

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2019 – 2020 UMBC RESEARCH FACULTY
EXCELLENCE AWARD

Ann Christine Frankowski

Senior Research Scientist, Sociology, Anthropology,
and Public Health; and Associate Director, UMBC Center
for Aging Studies
Ann Christine Frankowski’s engaged scholarship
exemplifies UMBC’s values and inspires her peers and
students to pursue excellence in all endeavors. She came to
UMBC in 1992 as a part-time instructor in the Department
of Sociology, Anthropology, and Health Administration
and Policy, and later became a senior research associate on several large National
Institute of Health (NIH)-funded projects.
Frankowski currently serves as a senior research scholar and Associate Director of
UMBC’s Center for Aging Studies. As a principal and co-principal investigator on
grants from the NIH-National Institute on Aging, Frankowski is bringing further
understanding to topics related to autonomy in assisted living, lesbian-gay
health strategies dealing with dementia, and adult day services. This research
will have a profound impact on the daily lives of members of these communities.
In total, these projects have brought close to $6 million in grants to UMBC. This
speaks to the high regard with which NIH peer reviewers evaluate Frankowski’s
scholarship and her commitment to advancing UMBC research goals.
In addition to her outstanding leadership in obtaining federal research funding
and her duties as director of the Center for Aging Studies, Frankowski provides
both undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to conduct aging-
related research. She has mentored graduate students on grant, fieldwork, and
manuscript preparation. She also serves on doctoral committees for students in
the gerontology doctoral program.
Frankowski earned a B.A. in sociology from Alfred University, an M.A. in
anthropology from Binghamton University, and her Ph.D. in anthropology from
Indiana University.

23

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2021 AWARDEES

Presidential Teaching Faculty Award USM Board of Regents’ Faculty
Kathryn McKinley Award for Excellence in Mentoring
Professor, English Laura Hussey
Associate Professor, Political Science;
Presidential Research Faculty Award and Director, Sondheim Public Affairs
Erle C. Ellis Scholars Program
Professor, Geography and
Environmental Systems Jakubik Family Endowment Award
Romy Hübler ’09, M.A. ’11, Ph.D. ’15
Presidential Distinguished Assistant Director, Center for
Professional Staff Award Democracy and Civic Life
Damian Doyle ’99, M.S. ’16
Associate Vice President, Enterprise Karen L. Wensch Endowment Award
Infrastructure Solutions, Division of for Outstanding Non-Exempt Staff
Information Technology Kathy Chetelat
Interlibrary Loan Supervisor,
Presidential Distinguished Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery
Non-Exempt Staff Award
Terisa M. White UMBC Research Faculty
Executive Administrative Assistant, Excellence Award
Office of Academic and Pre-Professional Rubén Delgado
Advising and the Registrar’s Office Assistant Research Professor,
Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology

24

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2021 – 2024 PRESIDENTIAL TEACHING PROFESSOR

Kathryn McKinley

Professor, English

Kathryn McKinley joined the UMBC faculty in 2008 as
an Associate Professor of English and was promoted
to Professor in 2017. She has earned the respect of her
colleagues and students for her passionate commitment
to teaching, her thoughtful mentoring, and her innate
ability to engage her students and spark their excitement
for learning.

A respected scholar in medieval literature, McKinley has enhanced UMBC’s
curriculum by creating several courses in medieval and early modern literature.
She also collaborated with colleagues from ancient studies, African studies,
history, visual arts, and music to create the interdisciplinary Medieval and Early
Modern Studies (MEMS) minor. One former student noted that McKinley’s work
has made UMBC “a hub for medieval studies,” and the MEMS minor has drawn
numerous students to the University.

McKinley is known for her hands-on, multimodal approach to teaching which
invites students to be active participants in their education. A colleague noted
that her teaching style includes a “marvelous blend of rigor and excitement and
imagination and caring.” Former students point to McKinley’s ability to bring
medieval literature to life through classroom discussions and exercises such as
staging a medieval banquet and performing skits based on the reading material.

She also encourages students to study original medieval texts and artifacts
in person through museum visits. McKinley has long incorporated digital
resources into her courses, providing students the opportunity to study
digitized material from the medieval period online. This existing digital course
component helped her pivot to the virtual learning environment required
during the COVID-19 pandemic.

McKinley is described as a thoughtful mentor who provides advice and guidance
to undergraduate and graduate students, helping them to identify and pursue
their passions. Colleagues and students cite her ability to help students succeed
beyond their initial goals and to develop as scholars. McKinley has helped
students identify and secure meaningful internships and guided them through
the process of applying for grants to further their research. Her mentees include
Corbin Jones ’18, M.A. ’20 , who conducted manuscript research in Paris under
her guidance and will continue graduate work in medieval studies in Cornell
University’s doctoral program this fall.

McKinley earned a B.Phil. in English/classics from the Pennsylvania State
University, an M.A. in classics from the University of Toronto, and her Ph.D. in
English from the University of Delaware.

25

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2021 – 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RESEARCH PROFESSOR

Erle C. Ellis

Professor, Geography and Environmental Systems

Erle C. Ellis joined the UMBC community in 2000 as an
Assistant Professor of Geography and Environmental
Systems. He was promoted to Professor in 2015. He is
widely recognized for his contributions to ecology and
geography, including landscape ecology and human-
environmental interactions. In 2008, Ellis coined the term
“anthromes” (anthropogenic biomes) to describe the first
global map of human-transformed ecology. He is also a
highly respected teacher and mentor who shares his knowledge and advice with
his students, helping them achieve their academic, research, and career goals.

Colleagues at UMBC and around the world have called Ellis a gifted researcher
who continuously breaks new ground in interdisciplinary human-environmental
research and has been a catalyst for progress in conservation and sustainability
sciences. They also cite his ability to produce research of great importance to
society, to analyze complex information, and to connect the dots between vastly
different disciplines such as ecology and archaeology. Elllis has served as the
lead primary investigator for projects funded by agencies including the National
Science Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences, the U.S. Forest Service,
and the U.S. Geological Survey.

In addition to being a prolific researcher, Ellis has mentored more than 45
undergraduate researchers in his lab. He has provided students with hands-
on experiences, including conducting fieldwork in China and in the U.S.
His undergraduate researchers have presented their work at national and
international scientific conferences. One former student noted that Ellis’
mentoring “transformed my career trajectory and undeniably played a role in
my success.”

Since joining the UMBC faculty, Ellis has published more than 100 scientific
articles in journals including Science, Nature, and Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences. He is ranked as a Global Highly Cited Researcher based on
citations of his work, and his research has been covered by The New York Times,
National Geographic Magazine, The Discovery Channel, NewScientist, and The
Economist just to name a few.

Ellis earned an A.B. in biology and his Ph.D. in plant biology from
Cornell University.

26

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2021 – 2022 PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED STAFF AWARD,
PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Damian Doyle ’99, M.S. ’16

Associate Vice President, Enterprise Infrastructure
Solutions, Division of Information Technology

Damian Doyle joined the Division of Information
Technology (DoIT) as an undergraduate student worker
and accepted a full-time position soon after graduating
from UMBC in 1999. Doyle represents what UMBC wants
its graduates to gain from a liberal arts education. He
is highly technical, a critical thinker, and has strong
emotional intelligence. His passion for technology and his dedication to
UMBC are evident in his work and his myriad contributions to our community.
In addition, Doyle has become a leader in the national higher education IT
community, gaining the respect of colleagues from across the county.

Doyle has worked in positions of increasing responsibility in DoIT for more than
two decades and has been Associate Vice President, Enterprise Infrastructure
Solutions, since 2020. Throughout his career, he has made a special effort to
mentor and teach student workers, helping them apply what they learn in the
classroom to real-world technology problems. Doyle has been a member of
the Center for Women in Information Technology (CWIT) advisory board since
2015, and initiated a new internship program for CWIT students to help them
gain experience in their chosen fields.

In addition, Doyle has made significant technical contributions to UMBC and
to the higher education IT community. He has been a co-principal investigator
for two National Science Foundation-funded studies and has supported grant
proposals for other departments, gaining the respect of researchers across
campus. He regularly collaborates with colleagues in the national higher
education IT community and has presented at numerous conferences. The higher
education IT organization EDUCAUSE recognized his contributions in 2018 with
the Rising Star Award, which is given to young leaders making a difference at
their institution and in the profession. Doyle serves as co-chair of the EDUCAUSE
Cloud Constituents community group.

Doyle has served the UMBC community in a variety of roles, including two terms
as president of the Professional Staff Senate, as well as Chair and Vice Chair of
the University Steering Committee. In these shared governance leadership roles,
Doyle worked across UMBC’s senates to reach consensus, helping the University
respond to a variety of complex issues that were affecting our community. He
also serves on the UMBC Alumni Association Board.

Doyle earned a B.S. in computer science and an M.S. in information systems
from UMBC.

27

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2021 – 2022 PRESIDENTIAL DISTINGUISHED STAFF AWARD,
NON-EXEMPT STAFF

Terisa M. White

Executive Administrative Assistant, Office of Academic
and Pre-Professional Advising and the Registrar’s Office

Terisa White joined the UMBC community in 2013 as an
administrative assistant in the Office of Undergraduate
Admissions. She moved to her current role as Executive
Administrative Assistant in the Office of Academic and
Pre-Professional Advising and the Registrar’s Office in
2016. White is well known and respected for her high
standards, professionalism, and integrity, as well as for seeking out opportunities
that go above and beyond her required duties.

As the Executive Administrative Assistant for two busy offices, White manages
the schedules for the Assistant Vice Provost and Registrar, and is responsible
for myriad other tasks such as procurement, budget, following up on student
requests, and assisting with New Student Orientation and the Major Event.
She also supervises student workers in the Registrar's Office﹘one of the many
responsibilities she has volunteered to add to her already full schedule. She acts
as a role model and mentor, and strives to provide students with meaningful
work and professional development opportunities.

When UMBC transitioned to remote work and instruction as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic, White used her keen problem-solving skills to develop a
process that allowed the Registrar’s Office to continue responding to largely
paper-based requests efficiently and effectively, avoiding service interruptions
and enabling more staff to work remotely. Understanding the importance of
personal interactions, she also helped both offices create virtual front counters.

White serves the UMBC community as a member of the Enrollment Management
Administrative Assistants Work Group and the Employee of the Quarter
Committee. She is a Retriever Essentials board member, supporting students
experiencing food insecurity as a case manager for the Save-a-Swipe program,
which enables students to donate meals to fellow Retrievers in need.

In addition, White is a coordinator for a program supporting at-risk high school
students. Leveraging her experience working with UMBC students, she places
high school students in internships across campus and mentors them as they
learn about college life and how to work in a professional environment. Because
of White’s ingenuity, the program was able to continue virtually during the
pandemic, ensuring students continued to benefit from the program’s academic
and professional experiences.

White earned an A.A.S. in business from Mott Community College and an A.A.S.
in word processing from Baker Junior College of Business.

28

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2021 UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND BOARD OF REGENTS'
FACULTY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MENTORING

Laura Hussey

Associate Professor, Political Science; and Director,
Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program

Laura Hussey joined the UMBC community as an Assistant
Professor of Political Science in 2008 and was promoted
to Associate Professor in 2014. She is a highly respected
scholar and dynamic role model who has successfully
mentored undergraduate students in a range of fields
related to public policy and social change.

Current and former students often say that Hussey's mentoring made an
indelible impact on their lives and their careers. They cite her guidance on the
fundamentals of empirical research, how to approach issues with an objective
lens, her commitment to teaching, and her in-depth feedback. They also tout
Hussey’s thoughtful approach to helping them identify their specific policy
interests, hone those interests in the classroom, and secure internship and career
opportunities that allow them to further explore those interests.

As the Director of the Sondheim Public Affairs Program, Hussey mentors
students throughout their four years in the program to help them advance their
academic goals and prepare them for careers in public service and related
fields. She also is a passionate champion for students as a member of the
Truman Scholarship Committee.

As coordinator of the Politics, Policy, and Public Administration internship
program, Hussey employs a multifaceted approach that includes developing a
high-impact core internship course, identifying internship opportunities across
the regional political spectrum, reviewing applications, and ensuring each
student secures a meaningful internship. She mentors students through every
step of the process, providing advice on everything from resumes to office
etiquette and from aligning their policy interests and their internship to using
what they’ve learned in the classroom in a professional setting. As a direct result
of her efforts, her students have secured highly competitive public service
positions at the national, state, and local levels.

In addition to mentoring UMBC students, Hussey has worked with the Maryland
Public Service Scholars Programs, serving as a faculty advisor to nearly 80
students in the Governor's Summer Internship Program. She also has taught
research method workshops and mentored high school students enrolled in the
AP Capstone Program at the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.

Hussey earned a B.A. in government from the University of Notre Dame and an
M.P.M. in public affairs and Ph.D. in government and politics from the University
of Maryland, College Park.

29

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 – 2021 JAKUBIK FAMILY ENDOWMENT
STAFF AWARD

Romy Hübler ’09, M.A. ’11, Ph.D. ’15

Assistant Director, Center for Democracy and Civic Life

Romy Hübler began her UMBC career as a graduate
student in 2011 in the Office of Graduate Student Life.
A triple UMBC alumna, Hübler’s work has focused on
student-centered initiatives such as Alternative Spring
Break, mentoring and academic advising, working with
student organizations, and civic engagement. She has
earned the respect of the UMBC community for her
creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication, and for the care, insight, and attention
with which she mentors students.

As a graduate student, Hübler served as an academic advisor, research assistant,
and community liaison. The Graduate Student Association recognized Hübler with
its highest honor, the Jessica Soto Perez Award, for her stellar contributions to her
fellow graduate students’ academic and professional pursuits.

During her time in the Office of Student Life (now Campus Life), Hübler led UMBC’s
innovative Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program, which focuses on direct
service to the local community. She transformed the (ASB) curriculum, developing
components that emphasize deep learning about the intricacies of challenges
faced by Baltimore residents, resources available to address those challenges, and
options for sustained engagement in Baltimore’s civic life.

In her current role as Assistant Director of UMBC’s nationally recognized Center
for Democracy and Civic Life, Hübler has become a national leader in higher
education's civic learning and democratic engagement movement. She has
been directly involved in creating and leading every aspect of the Center’s work,
including the Cast Your Whole Vote campaign and Election Extravaganza events
series supporting participation in Election 2020. She is a thoughtful and attentive
facilitator, leading small group community dialogues on sometimes difficult topics
and making each participant feel heard and understood.

The American Democracy Project has named her a Civic Fellow in recognition of
her leadership in developing and disseminating the Civic Learning and Democratic
Engagement Theory of Change, a set of ideas developed at UMBC which is now
influencing pedagogy and Student Affairs practices at numerous institutions. She
has authored a number of scholarly articles on this theory and has presented it
during numerous national conferences and webinars.

Hübler earned an A.A. in general studies from Anne Arundel Community
College, and a B.A. in modern languages and linguistics, an M.A. in intercultural
communication, and her Ph.D. in language, literacy, and culture from UMBC.

30

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2020 – 2021 KAREN L. WENSCH ENDOWMENT AWARD FOR
OUTSTANDING NON-EXEMPT STAFF

Kathy Chetelat

Interlibrary Loan Supervisor, Albin O. Kuhn
Library & Gallery

Kathy Chetelat joined the UMBC community in 2006 as a
part-time collection management specialist at the Albin
O. Kuhn Library & Gallery, where she quickly established
herself as a detail-oriented self-starter with excellent
organizational skills. In this role, she was responsible
for processing book donations, managing the library’s
annual book sale, and assisting with interlibrary loan tasks.

After a series of retirements in the library, Chetelat accepted a full-time position
on the interlibrary loan (ILL) team in 2017, hitting the ground running and earning a
reputation among library users and staff for being friendly, professional, helpful,
and thorough. Within a year, she moved to her current position of Interlibrary
Loan Supervisor, taking on this complex leadership role with little preparation,
minimal support, and no formal management experience. Chetelat has excelled
in this environment, quickly grasping the position’s technical requirements,
hiring and training two ILL specialists, modeling and maintaining the highest
level of customer service for her team and herself, and becoming a gifted and
intuitive manager.

Under her leadership, in FY 2020, the ILL team responded to more than 9,000
requests from UMBC students, faculty, and researchers for books, articles,
media, and other items that our library does not own, and more than 12,000
requests from partner libraries. In order to fulfill these requests, Chetelat often
undertakes additional research and collaborates with requestors, lending
partners, and reference librarians. In addition, Chetlat led a complete redesign
of the ILL guidelines and service expectations and drafted the first formal budget
for the department.

Due to her strong work ethic and commitment to customer service, the
Associate Director for Public Services chose Chetelat to serve on the Division’s
leadership team. In this role, she works with other department heads on projects
that affect user-facing services, including the Mind Spa, a collaboration with the
Counseling Center to help students relax, improve concentration and memory,
and be successful through techniques such as mindfulness and meditation.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chetelat has worked tirelessly to adapt
ILL services, first to a remote environment, and later by working on-site to
process requests, scan materials, and perform other tasks necessary to ensuring
that her department is able to continue to maintain its excellent record of service
to library users.

31

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

2019 – 2020 UMBC RESEARCH FACULTY
EXCELLENCE AWARD

Rubén Delgado

Assistant Research Professor, Joint Center for Earth
Systems Technology

Rubén Delgado joined UMBC as a Research Associate
at the Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology in 2006
and was promoted to Assistant Research Professor in 2016.
He is a passionate and dedicated researcher and mentor
who is widely known for his contributions to the study and
characterization of aerosols. More recently, Delgado has
become UMBC’s expert on wind energy measurements, including modeling and
locating areas conducive to wind farms.

Delgado's research expertise involves laser remote sensing technologies for
measurements and studies pertinent to atmospheric chemistry and physics. These
measurements are coupled with satellite retrievals and ground-based concentration
measurements of gases and aerosols to better understand the coupling of chemistry
and dynamics in air-land-marine interactions. Frequently his work involves comparison
of observations with simulation runs from numerical weather prediction models.

A respected researcher who works with faculty across a variety of disciplines,
Delgado has established successful collaborations with colleagues in physics,
chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, geography and environmental
systems, and public policy. He has served as principal investigator on more
than a dozen research projects, securing funding from federal and state sources
including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the
Maryland Department of the Environment.

Delgado has mentored more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students from
a wide variety of disciplines, including atmospheric physics; math and statistics;
computer science; chemical, mechanical, and computer engineering; biology;
physics; geography and environmental systems; and environmental science. This
approach has made his research team one of the most interdisciplinary on campus.

In addition to his contributions at UMBC, Delgado has served as a panel member
for NASA postdoctoral programs and on a National Academy of Sciences
committee for a workshop on the planetary boundary layer. He regularly co-chairs
sessions at national and international research meetings, and has made more
than 100 presentations at such meetings over the course of his career. In addition,
Delgado has co-authored more than 20 peer reviewed journal articles.

Delgado earned a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico, an M.S.
in physical chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and an M.S. and
Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico.

32



2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS
PAST PRESIDENTIAL TEACHING & RESEARCH PROFESSORS

PRESIDENTIAL J. Lynn Zimmerman
TEACHING PROFESSORS Biological Sciences
2001 – 2004
Jay M. Freyman
Ancient Studies Robert H. Deluty
1989 – 1993 Psychology
2002 – 2005
Slobodan Petrovich
Psychology Alan S. Rosenthal
1990 – 1994 Modern Languages and Linguistics
2003 – 2006
Eugene P. “Sandy” Parker
Geography and Environmental Systems Cynthia Hody
1991 – 1995 Political Science
2004 – 2007
Thomas T. Field
Modern Languages and Linguistics Phillip G. Sokolove
1992 – 1995 Biological Sciences
2006 – 2009
Donald J. Creighton
Chemistry and Biochemistry Robert C. Reno
1993 – 1996 Physics
2007 – 2010
Ka–che Yip
History L.D. Timmie Topoleski
1994 – 1997 Mechanical Engineering
2008 – 2011
Warren J. Belasco
American Studies Ramachandra S. Hosmane
1995 – 1998 Chemistry and Biochemistry
2009 – 2012
Marilyn E. Demorest
Psychology Wendy Salkind
1996 – 1999 Theatre
2010 – 2013
Diane M. Lee
Education Lynnda Dahlquist
1997 – 2000 Psychology
2011 – 2014
W. Edward Orser
American Studies Terry Bouton
1998 – 2001 History
2012 – 2015
John W. Jeffries
History Manil Suri
1999 – 2002 Mathematics and Statistics
2013 – 2016
Muddappa S. Gowda
Mathematics and Statistics Marie desJardins
2000 – 2003 Computer Science and
Electrical Engineering
2014 – 2017

34

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS
PAST PRESIDENTIAL TEACHING & RESEARCH PROFESSORS

PRESIDENTIAL TEACHING PRESIDENTIAL
PROFESSORS (con't) RESEARCH PROFESSORS

Michelle R. Scott Robert Webb
History History
2015 – 2018 1989 – 1993

Calla Thompson Paul S. Lovett
Visual Arts, Photography Biological Sciences
2016 – 2019 1990 – 1994

Marc Zupan Elizabeth Ermarth
Mechanical Engineering English
2017 – 2020 1991 – 1995

Nicole King Ralph M. Pollack
American Studies Chemistry
2018 – 2021 1992 – 1995

Carolyn Forestiere Michael Broyles
Political Science Music
2019 – 2022 1993 – 1996

Peter Argersinger
History
1994 – 1997

Suzanne Ostrand–Rosenberg
Biological Sciences
1995 – 1998

Curtis R. Menyuk
Computer Science and
Electrical Engineering
1996 – 1999

J. Leeds Barroll
English
1997 – 2000

Ramachandra S. Hosmane
Chemistry and Biochemistry
1998 – 2001

Michael F. Summers
Chemistry and Biochemistry
1999 – 2002

35

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

Bimal K. Sinha Constantine Vaporis
Mathematics and Statistics Asian Studies Program, History
2000 – 2003 2013 – 2016

Warren I. Cohen Robert L. Rubinstein
History Sociology and Anthropology
2001 – 2004 2014 – 2017

Yung Jui “Ray” Chen Kathie Seley–Radtke
Computer Science and Chemistry and Biochemistry
Electrical Engineering 2015 – 2018
2002 – 2005
Kevin Omland
J. Kevin Eckert Biological Sciences
Sociology and Anthropology 2016 – 2019
2003 – 2006
Sarah Shin
James Grubb Education
History 2017 – 2020
2004 – 2007
James Franson
Joel F. Liebman Physics
Chemistry and Biochemistry 2018 – 2021
2006 – 2009
Govind Rao
Lena Cowen Orlin Chemical, Biochemical
English and Environmental Engineering
2007 – 2010 2019 – 2022

Thomas Mathew
Mathematics and Statistics
2008 – 2011

Thomas Cronin
Biological Sciences
2009 – 2012

Ka–che Yip
History
2010 – 2013

Carlo DiClemente
Psychology
2011 – 2014

Tim Finin
Computer Science and
Electrical Engineering
2012 – 2015

36

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS
PAST PRESIDENTIAL STAFF AWARDS

PROFESSIONAL STAFF C. Jill Randles
Undergraduate Education
John S. Martello ’76 2010
The Shriver Center
1999 Constance Pierson ’90, M.A. ’92
Institutional Research
Lawrence M. Wilt 2011
Albin O. Kuhn Library
2000 Paul S. Ciotta
Physics
Betty J. Glascoe 2012
Career Development Center
2001 Timothy Lynch ’87
Summer, Winter, and Special Programs
James Milani, Jr. ’73 2013
College of Engineering and
Information Technology Kevin D. Joseph ’87
2002 Division of Information Technology
2014
Charles R. Brown
Athletics Susan Martin
2003 Center for Women in Technology
2015
John Suess ’81, M.S. ’95
Information Technology Beth Wells ’74
2004 Provost’s Office
2016
Joe E. Hill
Facilities Management Wendy Martin
2006 Office of Technology Development
2017
William-John Tudor ’76, M.F.A. ’98
Center for Art, Design and Joe Kirby
Visual Culture Division of Information Technology
2007 2018

Danita Eichenlaub Valerie A. Thomas
Goddard Earth Sciences Human Resources
and Technology Center (GEST), 2019
Joint Center for Earth
Systems Technology (JCET)
2008

Sandra L. Campbell
Institutional Advancement
2009

37

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

NON-EXEMPT STAFF Cheryl P. Johnson
Contract and Grant Accounting
Sally E. Hearn 2012
Albin O. Kuhn Library
2000 Peggy Major
Honors College
Ann P. Pfrogner 2013
Computer Science and
Electrical Engineering Susan Augsburger Velli ’88
2001 Music Department
2014
Mary Hilton
Summer and Winter Programs Susan L. Harrell
2002 English
2015
Jane L. Gethmann
Computer Science and Stephen Slowe
Electrical Engineering Residential Life
2003 2016

Teresa Aylsworth Ali Shahegh
College of Arts, Humanities Residential Life
and Social Sciences 2017
2004
Tamara Brown
James Peach Office of the Dean, College of Arts,
Facilities Management Humanities and Social Sciences
2006 2018

Deborah Geare Liz Steenrod
MIPAR Language, Literacy, and Culture
2007 2019

Ethel “Willi” Haskins-Cotton
University Health Services (UHS)
2008

Suzanne McMillian
Provost’s Office
2009

Dorothy J. Anderson
Institutional Advancement
2010

Michelle Howell
Erickson School
2011

38

2021 PRESIDENTIAL FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

PAST JAKUBIK FAMILY PAST KAREN L. WENSCH
ENDOWMENT STAFF AWARDS ENDOWMENT AWARDS

Lorie Logan-Bennett Jane Gethmann
Career Services Center Computer Science and
2009 Electrical Engineering
2014
Sally Helms
Public Policy Dottie Caplan
2010 College of Natural and
Mathematical Sciences
Joyce Riley 2015
Health Administration and
Policy Program Barbara Ann Smith
2011 Office of Undergraduate Education
2016
Michele Wolff
Shriver Center Abigail Granger ’10, M.P.S. ’15
2012 Media and Communication Studies
2017
Lee Hawthorne
Office of Student Life Victor Fulda
2013 Chemical, Biochemical, and
Environmental Engineering
Justine Marie Johnson 2018
Meyerhoff Graduate Fellows Program
2014 Shelly Graham
Student Affairs
Brian V. Souders ’09 2019
International Education Services
2015 PAST MARILYN E. DEMOREST
FACULTY AWARDS
Sue Plitt
Career Center Shawn Bediako
2016 Psychology
2016
Janet McGlynn
Office of Undergraduate Education J. Kevin Eckert
2017 Sociology, Anthropology, and Health
Administration and Policy
Jess Myers 2017
Women's Center
2018 Phyllis Robinson
Biological Sciences
Jessica Hammond-Graf 2018
Athletics
2019

PAST RESEARCH
EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Milton Halem
Computer Science and
Electrical Engineering
2018

Lorraine Remer
Joint Center for Earth
Systems Technology
2019

39