2019 Faculty Awards Winners
By Sheryl E. Taylor
The University of Houston-Downtown's Faculty Senate presented the 2019 Faculty Awards on April 16 to recognize those professors, lecturers and adjunct instructors who are providing exceptional service to students, the community and University. Winners (denoted in bold) and finalists are as follows:
Outstanding Adjunct
- Sam Sen, Natural Sciences (Winner)
- Dr. Dalia Sherif, College of Business
Outstanding Lecturer
- Dr. Elizabeth Gilmore, Criminal Justice
- Simon Jakubowski, Natural Sciences
- Dr. Laila Sorurbakhsh, Political Science
Excellence in Scholarly/Creative Activity
- Dr. Krista Gehring, Criminal Justice
- Dr. Omprakash Gupta, Management
- Dr. Benjamin Soibam, Computer Science & Engineering Technology
Excellence in Service
- Dr. Michael Cavanaugh, Criminal Justice
- Dr. Windy Lawrence, Communication Studies
- Dr. Creshema Murray, Communication Studies
- Dr. Bernardo Pohl, Urban Education
Excellence in Teaching
- Dr. Ashley Archiopoli, Communication Studies
- Dr. Heather Goltz, Social Work
- Dr. Judith Harris, Criminal Justice
Distinguished Faculty Award
- Dr. Michael Connell, Urban Education
- Dr. Edmund Cueva, History, Humanities & Languages
- Dr. Lisa Morano, Natural Sciences
Faculty Development Leave Awards
- Dr. Godwin Agboka, English
- Dr. Kevin Buckler, Criminal Justice & Social Work
- Dr. Anita Chadha, Sociology
- Dr. Aaron Gillette, History, Humanities & Languages
- Dr. Heather Goltz, Social Work
20 Years of Service
- Dr. Anthony Chiaviello, English
- Dr. Weining Feng, Computer Science & Engineering Technology
- Mr. Richard Hill, Criminal Justice
- Dr. Randy K. Serrett, Accounting & International Business
- Dr. Plamen Simeonov, Mathematics and Statistics
- Dr. Jeong-Mi Yoon, Mathematics and Statistics
- Dr. Vasilis Zafiris, Mathematics and Statistics
25 Years of Service
- Dr. Tyra Hessel, Chemistry
- Bonnie Nadler-Blumberg, Mathematics & Statistics
- Dr. Charles R. Strain, General Business, Marketing & Supply Chain Management
35 Years of Service
- Dr. Samuel H. Penkar, Finance & Management Information Systems
- Dr. Darshan L. Wadhwa, Accounting & International Business
The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.
U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.
