Dean's Recognition Awards
2020 Award Winners
DEAN'S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR SERVICE
Associate Professor, Behavioral Science
Martin McDonell
Originally from Brea, California, Martin McDonell has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University and master’s degree from California State University at Long Beach. He earned a doctorate from the University of Utah. McDonell has been a mental health counselor in an in-patient psychiatry setting, a child abuse investigator for Orange County Social Services, and has been on the faculty at BYUIdaho, BYU-Hawaii, the University of Arkansas, and Utah Valley University. He earned several recognitions at BYUHawaii, including the Faculty Recognition Award (2009–2013, 2015), and the Faculty Leadership Award (2011–2014). “I believe each of my students has a tremendous desire to learn and then apply the theories to the clients and people they will serve in the social work arena upon graduation,” McDonell says. “The students are motivated and eager to get out in the field and make a difference. It makes teaching at UVU very exciting to be part of their learning experience.” McDonell is the father five, finds cycling to be a huge passion, and loves spending time in Arizona when possible.
DEAN’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR TEACHING
Assistant Professor, Integrated Studies
Gregory R. Jackson
Gregory R. Jackson is originally from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and now lives in Lehi, Utah. He received a bachelor’s degree in history and a Master of Arts in French Studies from BYU, followed by a doctorate in history from the University of Utah. Jackson has been an assistant professor in the department of Integrated Studies since fall 2014. He contributes to several other programs as well, including French, political science, history, and national security studies, where he’s also served as assistant director since 2018. Prior to coming to UVU, Jackson taught courses in history at Westminster College and the University of Utah. He has published academic articles, book reviews, and op-eds, made expert appearances on radio, TV, and podcasts, as well as presented research at conferences across the U.S. and internationally. Jackson launched a U.S. history podcast two and a half years ago called “History That Doesn’t Suck” that has grown virally and hit the top of various charts on several podcast platforms. He also serves as a historical consultant for the highly acclaimed Wondery/Airship-produced podcast “American Elections: Wicked Game.” Among his honors, Jackson was awarded an Undergraduate Research Summer Institute Grant (UVU, 2018) and UVU Presidential Fellowship (UVU, 2017–18). “The best part of working with students at UVU are the students themselves,” Jackson says. “They are the perfect mixture of intelligence, drive, and humility. They ask for nothing while doing everything. They’re scrappy in all the right ways, yet kind, compassionate, down to earth, and open-minded. You can’t help but want to do everything in your power to empower and further build up students like that.” Jackson enjoys reading, rock climbing, cycling, baseball, and spending time with his family. He serves on the Lehi City Planning Commission. His wife, Sue, is also on the UVU faculty.
DEAN’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE STAFF
Administrative Assistant, Communication
Kristen Smith
Kristen Smith is from Lakeridge, Virginia, and currently lives in Provo, Utah. She received her executive office professional certification from Stanford-Brown College, in Vienna, Virginia, in 2001. She has worked at UVU since 2013. “One of my favorite things about UVU is the emphasis on continued learning,” she says. “I firmly believe learning is a lifelong process, and I love working with others who embrace that same vision.”
DEAN’S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR SCHOLARSHIP OR CREATIVE WORK
Associate Professor, English & Literature
Nathan Gorelick
From New York City and now living in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nathan Gorelick graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from New York University. He earned a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in comparative literature from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Gorelick has been at UVU since 2010. He was named Club Advisor of the Year (Creative Writing Club, 2015), earned a grant for Engaged Learning in the Liberal Arts (2013 and 2014), and was an honorary inductee to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2014). “I am endlessly impressed by our students’ curiosity, enthusiasm, and boundless craving for knowledge,” Gorelick says. “They know we only grow when we reach and exceed our own limits, and that we are fully ourselves, most valuable to others and our wider world, most in command of our own destinies, when we commit to building rather than discovering a meaningful reality. I am immeasurably fortunate to work with such an engaged, thoughtful, inspired, and inspiring group of people.”
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2019 Award Winners
Anton Tolman
Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Russell T. Warne
Associate Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Scholarship or Creative Work
Stevie Munz
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Teaching
Natalie Shelley
Advisor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
2018 Award Winners
Elaine Englehardt
Professor, Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Farah A. Sanders
Lecturer, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Scholarship or Creative Work
Claudia Jorgensen
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Teaching
Mark Olson
Program Coordinator, Integrated Studies
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
2017 Award Winners
David Morin
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Eric Stencil
Assistant Professor, Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Scholarship
Maria Blevins
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Teaching
Leslie Gae Robinson
Academic Advisor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Advising
Amelia Riding
Administrative Assistant, Languages & Cultures
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
2016 Award Winners
Dr. Karen Mizell
Professor, Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Stephen Whyte
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Creative Work
Dr. Nancy Tobler
Assistant Professor, Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Research
Angela Chavez
Advisor, History & Political Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Kiera Davis
Administrative Assistant, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
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2015 Award Winners
Travis Reynolds
Academic Advisor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Advising
Kimberly Williamson
Administrative Assistant, History & Political Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Dr. Rob Carney
Professor, English & Literature
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Creative Work
Dr. Jessica C. Hill
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Research
Dr. Michael Minch
Professor, Philosophy & Humanities; Director, Peace & Justice Studies Program
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
2014 Award Winners
Tara Ivie
Academic Advisor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Advising
Toni Harris
Assistant Dean, College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Dr. Kris Doty
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Servicek
Dr. Karin Anderson
Professor, English & Literature
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Creative Work
Dr. Russell Warne
Assistant Professor, Behavioral Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Research
2013 Award Winners
David Scott
Communication
Dean’s Award for Excellence for Research
Dave Litchford
Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Service
Nancy Rushforth
Integrated Studies
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Creative Work
John MacFarlane
History & Political Science
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Advising
Natalie Shelley
Communication
Dean’s Award of Excellence for Staff
Fourth Section (Section 4)
2012 Award Winners
Chris Weigel
Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Recognition Award for Scholarly Research
Rob Carney
English & Literatures
Dean's Recognition Award for Creative Work
Roger Wise
Behavioral Science
Dean's Recognition Award for Service
Kristen Campbell
Behavioral Science
Dean's Recognition Award for Advisor Excellence
Mark Olsen
Integrated Studies
Dean's Recognition Award for Staff Excellence
2011 Award Winners
Dr. Christa Albrecht-Crane
English & Literature
Dean’s Recognition Award for Scholarly Research
Alex Caldiero
Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Recognition Award for Creative Work
Roger Wise
Behavioral Science
Dean’s Recognition Award for Service
Kristen Campbell
Behavioral Science
Dean’s Recognition Award for Advisor Excellence
Mark Olson
Integrated Studies
Dean’s Recognition Award for Staff Excellence
2010 Award Winners
Dr. David Richard Keller
Philosophy & Humanities
Dean’s Recognition Award for Scholarly Research
Scott Carrier
Communication
Dean's Recognition Award for Service
Dawn Chase
English & Literature
Dean’s Recognition Award for Advisor Excellence
Carol Morgan
Languages
Dean’s Recognition Award for Staff Excellence
