Psychology Professor and Eminent Scholar Michelle Kelley, Ph.D., has been named a 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award winner by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
She will receive her award, along with a $7,500 gift from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, at a March 4 ceremony in Richmond, according to a Dec. 16 press release from SCHEV.
Out of 83 nominations received, 12 faculty members from around the state were named award recipients. Since the program was established in 1987, ODU faculty have earned 38 Outstanding Faculty Awards. Dr. Kelley is the tenth honoree from the College of Sciences.
“To be able to do research, teach and support others is my passion,” Dr. Kelley said. “To be recognized for something that I am so fortunate to be able to do, is really hard to explain. I just feel incredibly grateful.”
Dr. Kelley’s research focuses on understanding the development of mental health and substance use disorders and developing interventions. She works with military members and their families to better understand the impact of deployments and combat. In addition, she studies parents with substance use disorders and the impact on their children.
“Michelle Kelley has consistently done an outstanding job in all aspects of her role as a tenured full professor,” said Gail Dodge, dean of the College of Sciences. “Her research on the mental health needs of veteran populations is incredibly productive and impactful. She has also been very generous with her time in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, as well as her junior faculty colleagues. I am thrilled that she was selected to receive this very well-deserved honor.”
“Dr. Michelle Kelley exemplifies the highest standards of academic excellence and service,” said Brian Payne, interim provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Her groundbreaking research, dedication to teaching and tireless efforts to mentor students and colleagues reflect the very best of ODU’s mission. We are immensely proud of her well-deserved recognition as a SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award winner.”
The Outstanding Faculty Awards are the state’s highest honor for faculty at Virginia's public and private colleges and universities. These awards recognize superior accomplishments in teaching, research and public service. Nominees are selected by the institutions, reviewed by a panel of peers and chosen by a committee of leaders from the public and private sectors.
Old Dominion University's past SCHEV award winners:
2024
Justin Haegele, Human Movement Sciences and Special Education
2023
Khan Iftekharuddin, Electrical & Computer Engineering
2021
Jennifer Fish, Women’s Studies
Ling Li, Information Technology and Decision Sciences
2020
Kent Carpenter, Biological Sciences
2018
Helen Crompton, Teaching and Learning
2017
Jennifer Michaeli, Engineering Technology
Anatoly Radyushkin, Physics
2016
Charles Hyde, Physics
2015
Gail Dodge, Physics
2014
Carolyn Rutledge, Nursing
2012
Steve Yetiv, Political Science
2011
Mark Butler, Biological Sciences
2009
Lawrence Hatab, Philosophy
Lawrence Weinstein, Physics
2008
Bridget Anderson, English
Shaomin Li, Business Management
2007
John Adam, Mathematics & Statistics
2006
Donald Zeigler, Political Science & Geography
Sharon Raver-Lampman, Early Childhood, Speech-Language Pathology, & Special Education
2005
Katharine Kersey, Early Childhood, Speech-Language Pathology, & Special Education
Cynthia Jones, Ocean Earth & Atmospheric Sciences
2004
Charles Wilson, English
2003
Sheri Reynolds, English
2002
Janet Peery, English
2001
Sushil Chaturvedi, Mechanical Engineering
Dwight Allen, Educational Curriculum & Instruction
2000
John Toomey, Music
1999
Daniel Dauer, Biological Sciences
Chris Drake, Political Science & Geography
1997
Dana Heller, English
1996
William Stanley, Engineering Technology
1995
Helen Rountree, Sociology & Criminal Justice
1994
Nancy Bazin, English
1993
Michele Darby, Dental Hygiene & Dental Assisting
1992
Gregory Selby, Mechanical Engineering
1991
Karen Polonko, Sociology & Criminal Justice