BOR Recognizes Faculty with Teaching, Research & Scholarly Excellence Awards

The Board of Regents for Higher Education — which governs the 17 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) — recognized 20 CSCU faculty members selected as recipients of the 2015–16 Board of Regents Teaching, Research, Scholarly Excellence Awards and Adjunct Faculty Teaching Awards.

“It’s a pleasure to honor these outstanding faculty members. Their commitment to our students and exemplary teaching and research skills have a profound impact on our students and state.”
CSCU President Mark Ojakian

The awards are campus and system-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. Faculty members were recognized at the Board of Regents April 7 meeting at Middlesex Community College.

“It’s a pleasure to honor these outstanding faculty members,” said CSCU President Mark Ojakian. “Their commitment to our students and exemplary teaching and research skills have a profound impact on our students and state.”

“The quality of teaching and level of research throughout the college and university system is truly remarkable, and the scholarship by these faculty members is both inspiring and significant,” said Dr. Merle Harris, Chair of the Board of Regents Academic & Student Affairs Committee.

 “The work and support of our students continues to make our system strong, and the quality of the teaching, research and creative work exhibited by our faculty award recipients enhances and sustains the CSCU system,” said Dr. Estela Lopez, CSCU Interim Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs.

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 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 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 2015–16 Board of Regents Teaching and Research Award recipients are:

Board of Regents Teaching Awards

Dr. James Diller of Manchester, Associate Professor, Psychology
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

Dr. Jess Gregory of Milford, Assistant Professor,
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven

Dr. Monica Sousa of Danbury, Assistant Professor, Nursing
Western Connecticut State University, Danbury

Board of Regents System-Wide Teaching Award

Dr. James Diller of Manchester, Associate Professor, Psychology
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

Board of Regents Teaching Awards

Ms. Carla Adams of Wethersfield, Associate Professor,
Information Management & Technology
Manchester Community College, Manchester

Ms. Celeste Arrieta of Norwich, Assistant Professor, Foreign Languages
Three Rivers Community College

Dr. Jane Carey of Southbridge, Mass., Assistant Professor, English
Quinebaug Valley Community College, Danielson

Mr. Michael Emanuel of Torrington, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
Northwestern Connecticut Community College

Dr. Megan DeLivron of Avon, Assistant Professor, Math & Science
Gateway Community College, New Haven

Ms. Nancy Fleming of Norwalk, Associate Professor, Math
Norwalk Community College, Norwalk

Ms. Julia Petitfrere of Bridgeport, Assistant Professor, English
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Dr. Kimberly Thomas of New Haven, Associate Professor, Chemistry
Middlesex Community College, Middletown

Ms. Jennifer Wittke of West Suffield, Assistant Professor, Academic Strategies
Tunxis Community College, Farmington

Board of Regents System-Wide Teaching Award

Dr. Megan DeLivron of Avon, Assistant Professor, Math & Science
Gateway Community College, New Haven

Board of Regents Faculty Research Awards

Dr. Surekha Davies of New Haven, Assistant Professor,
History and Non-Western Cultures
Western Connecticut State University, Waterbury

Dr. Lauren Rosenberg of Leverett, Mass., Associate Professor, English
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic

Dr. Christine Unson of Higganum, Associate Professor, Public Health
Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven

Board of Regents System-Wide Research Award

Dr. Surekha Davies of New Haven, Assistant Professor,
History and Non-Western Cultures
Western Connecticut State University, Danbury

Board of Regents Scholarly Excellence Awards

Ms. Maria Buchta of Trumbull, Associate Professor, Academic Enrichment & First-Year Experience.
Norwalk Community College, Norwalk

Mr. Michael Stutz of Cranston, RI, Assistant Professor, Communication
Three Rivers Community College, Norwich

Mr. Christopher Tuccio of Danbury, Assistant Professor, Science
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury

Board of Regents System-Wide Scholarly Excellence Award

Mr. Christopher Tuccio of Danbury, Assistant Professor, Science
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury

Board of Regents System-Wide Adjunct Faculty Teaching Awards

Ms. Deb Pagnotta of Yorktown Heights, NY, Adjunct Instructor,
Speech and Communication
Norwalk Community College, Norwalk

Mr. Nicholas Simon of Glastonbury, Adjunct Faculty, Sociology
Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic