Board of Regents Recognizes 21 CSCU Faculty with Teaching, Research & Scholarly Excellence Awards
The awards were presented at the Third Annual Conference on Shared Governance and Student Success at Central Connecticut State University.
The Board of Regents for Higher Education — which governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) — recognized 21 CSCU faculty as recipients of the 2016–17 Board of Regents Teaching, Research, Scholarly Excellence Awards and Adjunct Faculty Teaching Awards. The awards were presented at the Third Annual Conference on Shared Governance and Student Success at Central Connecticut State University.
The awards are campus-wide recognitions of excellence in teaching or research, as well as creative and scholarly work by CSCU full-time, junior faculty and part-time faculty members. Six system-wide awards are granted to campus award winners in teaching, research, scholarly excellence and adjunct faculty teaching.
“It’s a pleasure to honor these outstanding faculty members for their contributions,” said CSCU President Mark Ojakian. “Their dedication to teaching and learning, and commitment their schools, have a profound impact on our students, our entire CSCU community.”
Dr. Merle Harris, Regent and Chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee noted, "The caliber of teaching and research award winners is inspiring. These faculty focus on student success. The awards provide a means of recognizing their exemplary work. "
“Our CSCU faculty is dedicated to teaching and mentoring our students, while engaging in state-of-the-art research and scholarship,” said Dr. Jane Gates, CSCU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “The outstanding work exhibited by our faculty award recipients enhances and sustains the CSCU system and continues to make our system strong.”
Board of Regents Teaching Awards are presented to faculty from each of the state universities and community colleges. Two system-wide teaching awards are given to faculty who best exemplify high quality teaching, one each from the community colleges and universities.
Board of Regents Research Awards are granted to faculty among Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Connecticut State Universities. A single system-wide research award is given to the individual who best exemplifies high quality research among the four universities.
Board of Regents Scholarly Excellence Awards recognizes community college faculty who conduct work befitting the community college mission. A single system-wide award is given to the individual who exemplifies high quality scholarly work or creative activity throughout the 12 community colleges.
Two system-wide Adjunct Faculty Teaching Awards are given to recognize part-time faculty throughout the CSCU system who have distinguished themselves as outstanding teachers.
The 2016–17 Board of Regents Teaching and Research Award recipients are:
Board of Regents Teaching Awards
(Connecticut State Universities)
Dr. Barbara Clark of Farmington, Associate Professor,
Literacy, Elementary, and Early Teacher Education
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain
Dr. Maureen McDonnell of Willimantic, Associate Professor, English
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic
Dr. Melissa Talhelm of New Haven, Associate Professor, English
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven
Board of Regents System-Wide Teaching Award
(Connecticut State Universities)
Dr. Christine Hegel-Cantarella of Brooklyn, NY, Associate Professor, Anthropology
Western Connecticut State University, Danbury
Board of Regents Teaching Awards
(Connecticut Community Colleges)
Joseph Finckel of West Hartford, Associate Professor, English
Asnuntuck Community College, Enfield
Janet Hall of Moosup, Assistant Professor, Computer Science (posthumous)
Quinebaug Valley Community College. Danielson
Dr. Eva Jones of Middletown, Associate Professor, English
Middlesex Community College, Middletown
Elizabeth Keefe of Milford, Associate Professor,
College Advancement Studies & Humanities
Gateway Community College, New Haven
Dr. Daniela Ragusa of Bloomfield, Associate Professor, English
Capital Community College, Hartford
Laura Turiano of Shelton, Assistant Professor, Psychology and Human Services
Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport
Board of Regents System-Wide Teaching Award
(Connecticut Community Colleges)
Amy Feest of Cheshire, Associate Professor, Marketing
Tunxis Community College, Farmington
Board of Regents Faculty Research Awards
(Connecticut State Universities)
Dr. Corinne Blackmer of New Haven, Associate Professor,
English and Judaic Studies
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven
Dr. Martin Mendoza-Botelho of Mansfield, Associate Professor, Political Science
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic
Dr. Michelle Monette of Newtown, Assistant Professor,
Biological and Environmental Sciences
Western Connecticut State University, Danbury
Board of Regents System-Wide Research Award
(Connecticut State Universities)
Linda Reeder of New Haven, Associate Professor,
Manufacturing and Construction Management
Central Connecticut State University, New Britain
Board of Regents Scholarly Excellence Awards
(Connecticut Community Colleges)
Amely Cross of Enfield, Assistant Professor, Chemistry/Physics
Asnuntuck Community College, Enfield
Heath Hightower of Somerville, Mass., Associate Professor, Human Services
Quinebaug Valley Community College, Danielson
Burton Tedesco of Bridgeport, Assistant Professor, Theater
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury
Board of Regents System-Wide Scholarly Excellence Award
(Connecticut Community Colleges)
Dr. Rachel Milloy of Stamford, Assistant Professor, English
Norwalk Community College, Norwalk
Board of Regents System-Wide Adjunct Faculty Teaching Awards
Dr. Leonardo Kurachi-Ubé of Cheshire, Adjunct Faculty, Biology
Gateway Community College, New Haven
Dr. Kate Miller of Middletown, Adjunct Lecturer, Biology
Middlesex Community College, Middletown