Jackson State University recognized outstanding faculty and staff earlier this spring during the annual “One JSU Excellence Awards Dinner” for their meritorious contributions in teaching, research and service. The Alumnus of the Year was also honored.
Saluting the accomplishments of the honorees, JSU President Carolyn W. Meyers, said, “To our teachers who dare to dream with innovative ideas beyond the classroom; to our researchers who chart new territories; and to our staff who help advance the university’ mission, we thank you.”
Recipients of the One JSU University Excellence Awards
Teacher of the Year: Dr. Mark Bernhardt, associate professor in the College of Liberal Arts and Department of History and Philosophy
Researcher of the Year: Dr. Marinelle Payton, assistant dean for research and program development in the College of Public Service and professor in the Department of Epidemiology
Public Servant of the Year: Dr. Tony T. Latiker, associate professor in the Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Alumnus of the Year: Dr. Earlexia Montoya Norwood of the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College Inaugural Class is a board-certified family medicine physician with the Henry Ford Health System.
Recipients of the One JSU Professionalism Awards
- Division of Academic and Student Affairs: Janieth Adams, director of Undergraduate Admission
- Student Affairs: Laquala M. Coleman, associate dean of students
- Division of Research and Federal Relations: Almesha L. Campbell, intellectual property manager
- Division of Information Technology: Emily A. Bishop, director of Academic Information Technology
- Division of Business and Finance: Dorothy Barnes, security officer
- Division of Institutional Advancement: Gwendolyn Caples, director of the Welcome Center
- Athletics: Britani D. Johnson, assistant director of ticket sales and operations
Recipients of the One JSU Staff Excellence Awards
- Excellence in Customer Service/Personal Interaction: Stephanie Reid-Small, administrative assistant
- Outstanding Education Support/Initiative and Creativity: Pamela Flowers-Magee, administrative assistant
- Excellence in Exemplary Achievement and Performance: Shirley Banks, office manager
Nominees for the One JSU Faculty Excellence Awards
(College of Business Nominees)
- Dr. Fidel Ezeala-Harrison, professor of economics in the College of Business
- Dr. Sheila C. Porterfield, associate dean and associate professor in the College of Business
(College of Education and Human Development Nominee)
- Dr. Gloria Dansby Giles, professor in School, Community and Rehabilitation Counseling Department
(College of Liberal Arts Nominees)
- Dr. Yumi Park, assistant professor in the Art Department
- Dr. Pamela G. Banks, a professor in the Department of Psychology
(College of Public Service Nominee)
- Dr. Nola Radford, professor in the College of Public Service, Department of Communicative Disorders
(College of Science, Engineering and Technology Nominees)
- Dr. Lin Li, associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Dr. Paul B. Tchounwou, associate dean of graduate and international programs in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology
- Dr. Himangshu Shekhar Das, assistant professor in the Depart of Civil and Environmental Engineering.