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USM Distinguished Faculty, Staff, Alumni Honored at Annual Arts and Sciences Awards Ceremony

Mon, 05/01/2023 - 10:24am | By: Ivonne Kawas Prado

Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is proud to announce the recipients of its annual awards ceremony commemorating faculty, staff and alumni for their recent accomplishments in teaching, research, service, and community outreach.

“Our annual awards honor our colleagues and alumni whose accomplishments have attained such a high degree of excellence that they merit our recognition and respect,” said Dr. David Cochran, associate dean for research and graduate education in the CAS. “This year, we had an unprecedented number of nominations spread across the nine award categories. Our awardees should be commended for standing out among so many great nominees. I encourage everyone in our College to congratulate this year’s awardees for their professional achievements and for their significant contributions to the University.”

Award recipients include:

USM AwardsCREATIVE RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR   

Dr. Candice Salyers 

Assistant Professor
School of Performing and Visual Arts 

This award honors a faculty member whose skill, productivity, and achievements in the visual and performing arts reflect the highest levels of artistic and creative excellence. 

USM AwardsSCHOLARLY RESEARCHER OF THE YEAR    

Dr. Kevin Kuehn 

Professor
School of Biological, Environmental and Earth Sciences 

This award honors a faculty member whose record of productivity in research and peer-reviewed publication is of the highest caliber, and whose results have far-reaching impacts both within and beyond the academy. 

USM AwardsTEACHING-TRACK TEACHER OF THE YEAR   

Dr. Michelle McLeese 

Assistant Teaching Professor
School of Social Science and Global Studies 

This award honors a faculty member who has achieved the highest levels of excellence as an educator.

USM AwardsTENURE-TRACK TEACHER OF THE YEAR    

Dr. Marek Steedman 

Associate Professor
School of Social Science and Global Studies 

This award honors a faculty member who has achieved the highest levels of excellence as an educator.

USM AwardsFACULTY ADVISOR AND MENTOR AWARD   

Dr. Rachel Gisewhite 

Assistant Professor

Center for STEM Education 

This award honors a faculty member who has gone above and beyond in their work as advisors and mentors, and whose efforts have made significant positive impacts on students both here at Southern Miss and after graduation. 

USM AwardsJUNIOR FACULTY AWARD    

Dr. Maria Wallace 

Assistant Professor 

Center for STEM Education 

This award recognizes a tenure-track, junior faculty member whose productivity, success, and commitment in the first years of their career at Southern Miss show great potential for a long and stellar career in the academy. 

USM AwardsFACULTY SERVICE AWARD    

Dr. Fan Zhang 

Assistant Professor
School of Construction and Design 

This award honors a faculty member who through their tireless efforts demonstrate the highest levels of service to their profession, their disciplinary field, and to Southern Miss. 

USM AwardsSTAFF SERVICE AWARD  

Ms. Autumn Webb 

Lab Coordinator
School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences 

This award honors a staff member who through their tireless efforts demonstrate the highest levels of service to their profession, their disciplinary field, and to Southern Miss. 

USM AwardsOUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

Mr. Matt Pace 

President

Codaray Construction 

This award recognizes an outstanding alum whose notable accomplishments and contributions to their field after graduation merit recognition and gratitude from The College of Arts and Sciences. 

Visit the website of The College of Arts and Sciences to learn more or call 601.266.4315.