By Mindy Ayala-Diaz

NORFOLK, Va. — Old Dominion University's Darden College of Education and Professional Studies recognized the exceptional achievements of 65 students during the DCEPS Student Awards Luncheon held on April 29 in the Big Blue Room. The ceremony celebrated students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and community involvement.

Dean Tammi Dice shared, “A significant highlight of my role has been to witness the passion, drive, commitment, and resilience our students have shown as they have overcome extraordinary hurdles. I truly am so proud of each of you.”

The luncheon concluded with the presentation of the prestigious Jane S. Bray Award, which was bestowed upon Betsy Perez, a standout PhD candidate from the Counselor Education & Supervision program. Named after the former dean of the Darden College, this award is named in her honor to recognize students that exemplify what she worked so hard to promote in the DCEPS- excellence in academics, research and service, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion. Betsy’s dedication to her studies and her impactful contributions to the field have set a high standard of excellence and serve as an inspiration to her peers.

You can view more photos of the awards here, and you can learn more about each of our awardees by viewing this presentation.

Department of Counseling & Human Services

• Charnita Clements
  Outstanding Master's Student - School Counseling
• Kacey Bunting
  Outstanding Master's Student - Mental Health Counseling
• Betsy Perez
  Outstanding Doctoral Student - Counseling
• Nicolas D. Schmoyer
  Outstanding Doctoral Student - Counseling
• Annika Tan
  Outstanding Human Services Student
• Madison Stevens
  Outstanding Human Services Intern
• Courtney Abston
  Jill C. Dustin Excellence in Service and Leadership Award

Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership

• Teri Harris
  Outstanding Workforce and Organizational Development Doctoral Student Award
• Mitchell Miklos
  Outstanding Marketing Education Student Award
• Mitchell Miklos
  Lee Bullard Award for Marketing Education
• Kellita White
  Outstanding Fashion Award
• Doug Stanley
  Outstanding Industrial Technology Award
• Morian Bailey
  Outstanding Training Specialist Award
• Stephen Stalker
  Technology Education Award for Academic Excellence
• Taylor Wells
  Outstanding Master's Student - Educational Leadership
• Kayla Heath
  Outstanding Educational Specialist Student - Educational Leadership
• Gary Skeen
  Outstanding Doctoral Student - Educational Leadership
• Jeanette “Jan” White
  Outstanding Dissertation of the Year - Educational Leadership
• James Jones
  Owings-Kaplan Writing Award in Educational Leadership
• Christina LiPuma
  Outstanding Doctoral Student - Higher Education, PhD.
• Gabrielle Smith-Finnie
  Outstanding Doctoral Contribution, Higher Education
• Yatta Jeusi
  Leadership Award - Higher Education, Master’s Program
• Christopher Davidson
  Mentorship Award - Higher Education Master’s Program
• Gillian Gregory
  Scholarship Award - Higher Education Master’s Program
• Craig Rollins III
  Most Important Contribution in Higher Education Award
• Amy Henecke
  Mentorship Award - Community College Leadership
• Ekaterina “Katie” Brooks
  Scholarship Award - Community College Leadership
• Emily Moore
  Leadership Award - Community College Leadership
• Anna Jones
  Community College Leadership Dissertation of the Year
• Gerome Bell
  Poindexter Award (Outstanding Community College Leadership Doctoral Student Award)

Department of Human Movement Studies & Special Education

• Chloe Cox
  Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Special Education General Curriculum
• Candace Reed
  Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Special Education Adapted Curriculum
• Kasey Sypolt
  Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Special Education Adapted Curriculum
• Deborah Stewart
  Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Early Childhood Special Education
• Catherine Bolton
  Academic Excellence Award - Special Education General Curriculum
• Rachel Robinson
  Academic Excellence Award - Special Education Adapted Curriculum
• Hana Almouhamadi
  Kimberly Hughes Research Award
• Erin Ackleson
  Michael A. Dean Academic Excellence Award- Health & Physical Education
• Tim Dodge
  Academic Excellence Award - Sport Management
• Anthony Patrick
  Rachel E. Scher Service Award - Sport Management
• Katherine Guevara
  Academic Excellence Award - Tourism Management
• Kalleigh West
  Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Health & Physical Education
• Caroline Helmer
  Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Sport Management
• Lindsey Nowland
  Doctoral Award for Academic Excellence - Human Movement Studies & Special Education
• Kevin Johnson
  Jan P. Lowrance '74 Endowed Scholarship

Department of STEM Education & Professional Studies

• Breeanne Kirsch
  Alan Mandell Endowed Award - Instructional Design and Technology
• Nikki Galloway
  Outstanding Library Science Student Award
• Stephanie Moreno
  Outstanding School Library Student Award
• Erin Cousins
  Outstanding Student Award - Educational Psychology and Program Evaluation

Department of Teaching & Learning

• Julatte Hillman
  Outstanding Student Virginia Education Association Student
• Abi Elizabeth Pierce
  Outstanding Graduate Student - PK-6 Education
• Mary Gregory
  Outstanding Curriculum & Instruction Doctoral Student
• Lauren Elise Padilla
  Carol V. DeRolf Early Childhood Education Award
• Megan Kurtz
  Katharine Kersey Award for Early Childhood Education
• Preston Cramer
  R.W. and Betty MacDonald Endowment Scholarship in Language Arts & Social Studies
• Jessica Kelsey
  Alan Mandell Award - Science Education
• Laramie McCallister
  Betty Yarborough Outstanding Graduate Student Award - Reading Education
• Quinn Quash
  Mark A. Forget Endowed Scholarship in Content Area Reading Education
• Hannah Stuart
  Virginia Scholars Award

Teacher of Promise Awards

The Teachers of Promise Award is bestowed upon exceptional prospective educators selected from various colleges and universities offering education programs throughout Virginia. Established in 2004, the Teachers of Promise Institute aims to identify and celebrate the most promising future teachers. Supported by The Teachers of Promise Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Roanoke, Virginia, and managed by a team of experienced educators, the Institute has recognized over 3,800 outstanding Teachers of Promise from thirty-six different institutions of higher learning to date.

• Faith Dutch
• Sydney Hodges
• Kiana Hancock
• Zachary Richardson
• Alayna Underwood

Jane S. Bray Award

Dr. Jane Bray served as Dean of the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies from 2013-2020. This award is named in her honor to recognize students that exemplify what she worked so hard to promote in the DCEPS- excellence in academics, research and service, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.

• Dr. Betsy Perez - Counselor Education & Supervision, PhD