Colleges of Education, Health and Aviation and Human Sciences present Graduate Education Awards

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

The Colleges of Education, Health and Aviation and Human Sciences recognized excellence among both students and faculty at the annual Graduate Education Breakfast, held virtually via Zoom April 7, 2020.

The colleges presented awards to outstanding students at the master’s and doctoral level and recognized faculty and students in the area of mentorship. Student award winners received stipends and a plaque to recognize their achievements.

College of Education, Health and Aviation

Kathy Kavanaugh was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Research Assistant Award. Kavanaugh is from the School of Community Health Sciences, Counseling and Counseling Psychology. Her adviser is Dr. Tonya Hammer.

Shelley Dawn Martin-Young was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award. Martin-Young is from the School of Teaching, Learning and Educational Sciences. Her faculty mentors are Drs. Sheri Vasinda and Sue Parsons.

Dr. Julie Angle from the School of Teaching, Learning and Educational Sciences was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Excellence Award. Angle was among nine faculty members nominated for the award.

College of Human Sciences

The Julie Branch Staton Outstanding Graduate Student Award was established in 2017 to honor a human development and family science graduate student on the OSU-Tulsa campus exhibiting drive and leadership in the field of child development. This year’s recipient is Jens Jespersen. Jespersen’s adviser is Dr. Amanda Morris.

Christina Sciarrillo received the College of Human Sciences Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research Award for Graduate Students. Sciarrillo is pursuing a master’s in nutritional sciences. She was nominated by undergraduate student Destinee Elliott, and Dr. Sam Emerson serves as her faculty adviser.

Nick Koemel was awarded College of Human Sciences Outstanding Master’s Student. Koemel is pursuing a master’s degree in nutritional sciences. He was nominated by Dr. Sam Emerson, who serves as his faculty adviser.

Luis Mejia Puig was chosen as the Outstanding Ph.D. Student. Puig is studying design, housing and merchandising Dr. Tilanka Chandrasekera advises Puig and nominated him for the honor.

Dr. Jill Joyce from the Department of Nutritional Sciences was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award. Joyce was among eight faculty members nominated for the award.

“It is an honor to recognize our graduate students’ and faculty members’ work,” said Dr. Christine Johnson, OSU Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. “No matter the circumstances around us, these individuals exemplify research and teaching excellence."

MEDIA CONTACT: Brittany Bowman | 405-744-9347 | brittany.bowman@okstate.edu