By Bianca de Toledo Piza
The College of Liberal Arts is pleased to announce the 2024 college award winners are staff and faculty who were recognized for their contributions to their units, the college, the university, and to their colleagues and their profession/discipline.
The awards were presented on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the All-College Meeting and Awards event in the Lory Student Center Theatre.
Carl A. Bimson Humanities Seminar
A bequest from Mr. Bimson’s estate provides funding for an ongoing series of humanities seminars. Mr. Bimson envisioned seminars that would bring primary and secondary teachers to CSU’s campus to engage in advanced study of various topics of humanistic learning, facilitated by CLA faculty. In the liberal arts tradition, the College has extended the meaning of “humanities” to encompass the performing and creative arts, humanities, and social science disciplines.
Cindy O’Donnell-Allen & Ted Fabiano
Department of English
In their seminar proposal titled “Can I Tell You a Story?: Using the ‘Storytelling for Social Justice’ Framework to Foster Antiracist, Antibias Teaching and Learning,” Dr. Cindy O’Donnell-Allen and Dr. Ted Fabiano promote a transformative approach to education in Colorado. Inspired by Lee Anne Bell’s (2020) insights on social justice, they advocate for the utilization of the power of storytelling to confront biases and drive social change in classrooms. Their proposal reflects a commitment to inclusive teaching, offering practical strategies for educators navigating complex issues of race and bias. Dr. O’Donnell-Allen and Dr. Fabiano’s initiative comes at a crucial time, offering hope and guidance in the face of mounting challenges to equitable education.
Ann Gill Faculty Development Award for Collaborative Projects
The Ann Gill Faculty Development Award for Collaborative Projects provides funding for faculty members who are working collaboratively. This award facilitates ongoing research and creative activity to faculty working on team-teaching, research, and interdisciplinary work.
Roger Hanna & Saffron Henke
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
CSU Theatre faculty Roger Hanna and Saffron Henkeare this year’s winners of the Ann Gill Faculty Development Award for Collaborative Projects. With an impressive track record in innovative theatre productions, their collaborative work aims to introduce an immersive theatre project to the CSU community that blends performance and set design to create transformative experiences. The immersive production has been endorsed for full production in Fall 2025.
Suzanne Faris & Tobi Jacobi
Department of Art and Art History, Department of English
Suzanne Faris from the Department of Art and Art History and Tobi Jacobi from the Department of English are recipients of the Ann Gill Faculty Development Award for Collaborative Projects. Their groundbreaking work “Knowing Her: Experiences of Women’s Leadership and Mentoring at CSU, 1930-2024” delves into the historical and contemporary narratives of women and non-binary employees at CSU, aiming to foster dialogue and promote gender equality while amplifying diverse voices and experiences.
Ann Gill Faculty Development Award
The Ann Gill Faculty Development Award is funded by generous donors to the College of Liberal Arts through the College’s Great Conversations program. This supports annual awards for outstanding research and creative activity by tenured and tenure-track faculty in the College.
Jason Bernagozzi
Department of Art and Art History
Jason Bernagozzi, whose project explores the convergence of art, science, and technology, is a recipient of the Ann Gill Faculty Development Award. Bernagozzi hopes to transform his studio into a bio art lab. He will explore harnessing mycelial networks for bioreactive audio synthesis, refining techniques for mycelial sculpture production, and probing the potential of mycelial computing systems for interactive public works.
Hye Seung Chung
Department of Communication Studies
Professor Hye Seung Chung’s project “From Okja to Squid Game: The Netflixization of New Korean Media” investigates Netflix’s impact on Korean film and TV. With Squid Game’s global success, Chung explores Netflix’s role in reshaping cultural landscapes and diversifying content genres. Supported by the Ann Gill Faculty Development Award, this project promises to shed light on the complex dynamics between Netflix, Korean creators, and global audiences, offering insights into digital platforms’ influence on cultural production and audience reception.
Lynn Kwiatkowski
Department of Anthropology and Geography
Professor Lynn Kwiatkowski received the Ann Gill Faculty Development Award for her work titled “Domestic Violence, Legal Progressions, and Innovative Solutions in Northern Vietnam.” This initiative delves into the sociocultural dynamics affecting the well-being of Vietnamese women who are victims of domestic abuse. Dr. Kwiatkowski embarked on her initial journey to Vietnam in 2017 and intends to continue working on this project throughout the summer of 2024.
Jessie Luna
Department of Sociology
Assistant Professor Jessie Luna is a recipient of the Ann Gill Faculty Development Award for her project titled “Knowledge Politics and Pesticides in West Africa.” This ethnographic and qualitative project is centered on Côte d’Ivoire, a leading importer of pesticides in the region. Dr. Luna’s research aims to investigate the networks of knowledge influencing the flow of pesticides, the industry’s endeavors to regulate these circuits, and the strategies employed by farmers and consumers to manage pesticide application and residue.
Distinction in Curricular Innovation Award
This award is presented in recognition of a member of the College faculty who has made outstanding contributions to curricular innovation in the College. Curricular innovation may include, but is not limited to, such areas as program development, instructional methods, service learning, and technology integration.
James “Pigeon” Fielder
Department of Political Science
Dr. James “Pigeon” Fielder is the recipient of this year’s Distinction in Curricular Innovation Award. His nominator writes that Dr. Fielder “is a world class teacher and scholar who has made substantial and original contributions to the art and science of teaching… [and developed] pedagogical strategies for using games and simulations in the political science classroom.” Dr. Fielder has over two decades of experience designing, executing, and assessing training exercises and wargames – some of which he has incorporated into his courses at both Colorado State University and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Excellence in Teaching
The College of Liberal Arts Excellence in Teaching Award honors faculty who contribute to an engaging, supportive, inclusive academic environment through their teaching.
Robert Haggar
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Economics
Robert Haggar received the Excellence in Teaching – Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for “their approach to teaching economics.” Their nominator commends Robert’s ability to make economics “less abstract and more relevant to the lives of undergraduate students… [Rob] encourage[s] students to consider different perspectives in economics with a critical eye to how they explain the economy, paying particular attention to power and institutions.”
David Korostyshevsky
Continuing, Contract, and Adjunct Faculty
Department of History
David Korostyshevsky has taught a variety of history courses at CSU, including Pandemics in U.S. History, Empire, Race, and Revolution, and Civil War Era. Dr. Korostyshevsky’s nominator writes that he “creates a welcoming atmosphere that encourages students to engage with challenging materials by sparking curiosity and guiding them in thoughtful reflection.”
Julia Lee
Tenure-Track Faculty
Department of Political Science
As a standout faculty member, Dr. Julia Lee is described by her nominator as going above and beyond to create inclusive classrooms where her students can dive into difficult topics with diverse perspectives. Her teaching style is not just about passing on her knowledge, but shaping engaged citizens who can think critically about the world around them. Beyond her lectures and coursework, she is considered a rock for her students, always willing to offer support and resources.
Ziyu Long
Tenured Faculty
Department of Communication Studies
Dr. Ziyu Long’s nominators write that they “find her impressive teaching repertoire, pedagogical innovations, ethics of care, and skill for infusing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice (DEIJ) into her teaching inspiring and remarkable.” Dr. Long has taught numerous undergraduate and graduate courses, including special topic seminars like The Dark Side of Organizational Communication and Career and Intersectionality.
Excellence in Graduate Mentorship
The College of Liberal Arts Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring Award honors faculty who contribute to an engaging, supportive, inclusive academic environment through their mentorship of graduate students.
Tatiana Nekrasova-Beker
Department of English
One of Dr. Tatiana Nekrasova-Beker’s nominators writes that she “demonstrates an unmatched passion for her work, patience for her students, and a strong bond with her community. She is a highly sought-after advisor who makes significant contributions to the TEFL/TESL field beyond the English department, working for the betterment of her students and peers.” As proof of her dedication, Dr. Nekrasova-Beker has served on over 40 students’ graduate committees.
Excellence in Undergraduate Mentorship
The College of Liberal Arts Excellence in Undergraduate Mentoring Award honors faculty who contribute to an engaging, supportive, inclusive academic environment through their mentorship of undergraduate students.
Usama Alshaibi
Department of Communication Studies
Teaching Associate Professor Usama Alshaibiis recognized as “instrumental in contributing to the film and media studies curriculum, providing mentoring and career consultation to students interested in filmmaking, and creating and co-directing (with student filmmakers) Through the Student Lens, the first and only CSU student run film festival.” Alshaibi has been a filmmaker for over 25 years and has taught at CSU since 2015.
State Classified Award
The College of Liberal Arts State Classified Award recognizes meritorious and outstanding achievement in job skills and/or service to the College by State Classified employees. This may include excellent job skills and workplace achievements that are above what is normally expected.
Johnie Rankin
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Johnie Rankin is the Master Scenic Carpenter and Interim Shop Foreman for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Rankin’s nominator writes that he “serves the needs of the entire school, constructing sets for all four of our theatre productions as well as two operas annually… [Mr. Rankin] teaches [students] the fundamentals of the scene shop, safety protocols, and building and construction techniques… [Rankin] imbues students with confidence and the belief that they are capable and can accomplish difficult things.”
Administrative Professional Award
The College of Liberal Arts Administrative Professional Award recognizes meritorious and outstanding achievement in job skills and/or service to the college by Administrative Professional employees. This may include excellent job skills and workplace achievements above what is normally expected.
Jennifer Clary
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
Jennifer Clary is the Director of Communications for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and has worked at CSU for over 17 years. Clary’s nominators write that “she uses her unique storytelling gifts and marketing background to communicate pride in the accomplishments of CSU faculty, students, and alums, seeking to uplift and encourage them along their varied paths to success.”
Distinction in Outreach
The Distinction in Outreach Award is presented in recognition of a member of the College who has shown an exemplary commitment to outreach.
Alexis Kennedy
Department of Political Science
Dr. Alexis Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Administration, is this year’s recipient of the Distinction in Outreach award. Dr. Kennedy’s nominator writes that she “makes unique and sustainable connections with constituencies outside the University… through establishing connections with many non-profit organizations, participating in regional initiatives, collaborating with public organizations, and working closely with the City of Fort Collins.” Dr. Kennedy also has “recruited a dozen organizations to work with students on their capstone projects” for the Master of Public Policy and Administration program.
Outstanding Service Award
This award recognizes a member of the College who has made outstanding service contributions to a CLA department, the College, University, profession, and/or community.
Allison White
Department of Political Science
Dr. Allison White, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Administration, is recognized for her extensive service to the college exhibited through efforts such as “chairing the graduate admissions committee for the MPPA program, serving as the primary academic contact for incoming and current students, internal recruitment, and advising students in our Accelerated Master’s Program with International Studies and all students in the International Policy and Management specialization.” Dr. White has also served as Interim Director and Program Coordinator for the Master of Public Policy and Administration program.
John N. Stern Distinguished Professor
This award is presented annually by the College of Liberal Arts to honor faculty who have demonstrated exemplary accomplishments in all aspects of their professional responsibilities over an extended period of time. The awards are given in the name of John N. Stern, who has endowed the award as part of his donations to the College.
Alexandra Bernasek
Department of Economics
Professor Alexandra Bernasek has worked at CSU for over 30 years and her nominators write extensively about her accomplishments and contributions to the Department of Economics during that time. One nominator praises how Dr. Bernasek’s “exemplary accomplishments in all aspects of her professional responsibilities epitomize the spirit of this award.” Another nominator notes that “Dr. Bernasek’s remarkable contributions to the field of economics, particularly in gender and feminist economics, embody the excellence and innovation that this award celebrates.”
Dimitris Stevis
Department of Political Science
Professor Dimitris Stevis has worked in the Department of Political Science at CSU for over 33 years and specializes in international environmental politics. One nominator writes that Stevis “continues to distinguish the department internationally in the scholarly arena[s] of global environmental studies, pedagogy, and service.” Another nominator describes Stevis as “an exceptional scholar who has made extensive and very significant contributions to an array of studies, and not least, advanced how we understand and might respond to today’s array of economic, environmental and global crises.”
Several of our faculty received an award from the Office of the Provost.
Giving
The College of Liberal Arts recognizes the outstanding number of gifts and donors to College programs, scholarships, and university-wide funds such as Rams Against Hunger and Ram Aid. This year alone, 305 CSU faculty, staff, and retired/emeriti individuals have donated more than nine million dollars for the College this year.
In addition, throughout the University’s 2020 State Your Purpose campaign, 864 CLA faculty, staff, and retired/emeriti individuals have raised over 17.8 million dollars. To all of the faculty, staff, and retired/emeriti members of our community, we express our sincerest gratitude for your amazing contributions to the College and University.
