Passionate faculty and staff are at the heart of McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS), making an impact every day through their dedication and service.
On April 24, the college came together to celebrate these exceptional individuals at its 2nd Annual Awards Banquet.
Their contributions go beyond personal achievement — they enrich the learning environment and strengthen support systems that define the MCHHS community. Each honoree embodies the college’s core values, serving as an inspiring example for others to follow.
“The banquet was such a fun way to connect with colleagues and recognize the hard work happening across our college,” said Dr. Sarah Murray, assistant professor and program director of nutrition and dietetics.
List of awards
Foundation Recipients Award
- Teaching Award: Natalie Allen, clinical associate professor, nutrition and dietetics
- Research Award: Dr. Amy Hulme, associate professor, biomedical sciences
- Service Award: Dr. Randi Ulbricht, associate professor, biomedical sciences
Office Orchestrator Award
This award recognizes a staff member who goes above and beyond to create a welcoming, supportive college environment.
- Missi Lafarlette , academic administrative assistant II
Community Impact Award
This award recognizes a faculty or staff member for impactful community engagement that reflects the public affairs mission.
- Kelly Dudley, clinical assistant professor, social work
Outstanding Academic Advisor
This award recognizes a staff member for excellence in advising.
- Jessica McShan, academic advisor II
Outstanding Faculty Advisor
This award recognizes a faculty member for excellence in advising.
- Dr. Robert Niezgoda, visiting assistant professor, public health
Bearwise Education Excellence Award
This award recognizes a faculty member for innovative, inclusive teaching and outstanding mentorship that inspires student engagement and learning.
- Dr. Traci Garrison, clinical associate professor, occupational therapy
Outstanding Service Award
This award recognizes faculty or staff for exceptional service that goes beyond expectations and positively impacts the workplace.
- MCHHS information technology department
Teamwork Trailblazers Award
This award recognizes a group that demonstrates exceptional collaboration, teamwork, idea-sharing and commitment to a common goal.
Dean’s Awards
- Dean’s Recognition for Service: Dr. Sarah Murray, assistant professor and program director of nutrition and dietetics
- Outstanding Service to MCHHS: Dr. Letitia White Minnis, MCHHS associate dean
- Outstanding Student Engagement: Nicole Gorley, senior instructor and lab coordinator, biomedical sciences
- Outstanding Support to MCHHS: Teri Trickey, director of catering, Chartwells
- Outstanding Community Partnership: Burrell Behavioral Health
Roy D. Blunt Life Science Professorship
This endowed award, established through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, supports faculty in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. It recognizes excellence in teaching, research and scholarship advancing the life sciences.
- Dr. Amy Hulme, associate professor, biomedical sciences
Research Fellow
This new appointment provides support and mentorship to new faculty, centered on the development of a scholarly agenda.
- Dr. Leslie Echols, associate professor, psychology
“I was so surprised and honored to receive the Dean’s Recognition for Service, especially since I helped plan the event and thought I knew the program inside out!” Murray said. “Serving as the Dean’s Fellow for the past two years has been an incredible opportunity to learn about leadership and the administrative side of our college.”
For White Minnis, receiving the Outstanding Service to MCHHS Award fills her with both gratitude and humility.
“It affirms my efforts to support others and contribute to our college community. I’ve had the good fortune of working with people who inspire me to serve with purpose and carry that commitment forward with the same dedication that brought me here.”
Retirements
Besides recognizing outstanding contributions from faculty and staff, the banquet also offered a heartfelt moment to honor those whose long-standing dedication helped advance the college. This year’s retirees honored for their dedication and years of service included:
- Dr. Roberto Canales, faculty emeritus
- Dr. Susan Dollar, faculty emeritus
- Dr. Anne Marie Hunter, faculty emeritus
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