College Awards

Award Amount - $1,000

Eligibility

College tenure-stream faculty member who has done significant cross-disciplinary research with researchers from a distinctly different discipline. Research should have been conducted primarily at MSU within the past 10 years.

Materials needed

Nomination from the Chair/Director describing the individual’s research contribution (up to 300 words), nominee’s curriculum vitae, 2 external supporting letters, research statement from the applicant that articulates how the nominated work fits into the broader category of cross-disciplinary research, copies of the nominated work, documentation of citations, external funding, or other impact related to the research. Please submit the nomination to the College as a single PDF document.

Selection criteria 

The research should address a topic of importance beyond the main academic field, i.e., it has an impact on the broader scholarly community. The research has resulted in notable products such as high quality peer-reviewed publication(s), grant funding, and/or media appearances. The faculty member should demonstrate innovative or transformative achievement beyond the norm.

Nominations  

Due by 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2026 and can be e-mailed to ssc.researchdean@msu.edu.

Responsible Committee

SSC Research Committee

Award Amount - $1,000

Eligibility

College tenure-stream faculty member. Research should have been conducted primarily at MSU within the past 10 years.

Materials needed

Nomination from the Chair/Director describing the individual’s research contribution (up to 300 words), nominee’s curriculum vitae, 2 external supporting letters, research statement from the applicant that articulates the importance of the work, copies of the nominated work, documentation of citations, external funding, or other impact related to the research. Please submit the nomination to the College as a single PDF document.

Selection criteria 

The research has resulted in notable products such as high quality peer-reviewed publication(s), grant funding, and/or media appearances. The faculty member should demonstrate innovative or transformative achievement beyond the norm.

Nominations  

Due by 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2026 and can be e-mailed to ssc.researchdean@msu.edu.

Responsible Committee

SSC Research Committee

Award Amount - $1,000

Eligibility

ISS Instructor with SIRS scores in the top 15% of all College ISS instructors.

Materials needed

The ISS Director provides the committee with SIRS scores/comments and average section GPA for eligible instructors. The committee selects 3-5 finalists who are invited to provide two or three letters of support (at least one of which is from a student), a statement on teaching philosophy, and a syllabus.

Selection criteria

Teaching excellence, dedication to student success, commitment to MSU undergraduate learning goals, and emphasis on international, multicultural, or national diversity.

Nominations

Finalists’ materials due by January 30, 2026 in response to the ISS Director’s nomination.

Responsible Committee

SSC Committee of Associate Chairs/Associate Directors

Award Amount - $3,000

Eligibility

MSU faculty in the College who has served for at least 20 years, but may currently hold emeritus status. NOTE: may not be awarded every year.

Materials needed

Nomination letter (up to 300 words), up to 3 supporting letters from individuals other than the nominator (external letters encouraged), CV of the nominee.

Selection criteria

Awardees will have excelled in all three areas of research, teaching and service.

Nominations

Due by January 30, 2026 and should be submitted to Julie Torok at jtorok@msu.edu.

Responsible Committee

SSC Faculty Advisory Committee

Award Amount - $1,000

Eligibility

MSU Faculty of Record with appointments (full or partial) in the College. The courses for which a Faculty of Record is nominated must be undergraduate courses taught in the College. Nominations should be made by College Chairs and Directors of Departments, Schools or Programs which include undergraduate components. Each unit may make one nomination annually.

Materials needed 

Two or three letters of nomination/supporting letters. At least one must be from a Chair/Director (up to 300 words). At least one must be from an undergraduate. In addition, please submit syllabus/i for the course or courses for which the faculty member is being nominated, and a self-statement from the nominee explaining what is innovative and how the approach helps students achieve desired learning outcomes. 

Selection criteria

Evidence that an approach to undergraduate teaching is innovative in a unit and has resulted in desired student learning outcomes.

Nominations

Due by January 30, 2026. Nomination packets should be submitted via email to Meghan Fang at fangmegh@msu.edu.

Responsible Committee

SSC Committee of Associate Chairs/Associate Directors

Award Amount - $500

Purpose

To recognize graduate students for displaying an exceptional commitment to fostering an environment in which Institutional Access is understood, valued, respected, appreciated and practiced.

Eligibility

All graduate student members in the College, with candidates identified by nominations by faculty, staff, or students on behalf of someone they see as deserving.

Selection Criteria

Awardees would have played a significant role in Institutional Access. For example, successful nominees could actively serve underrepresented populations, develop or implement innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhance the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Nominations

Nomination packets should be submitted via email to: SSC.OIASubmissions@msu.edu, and must be received by January 30, 2026.

• Nominations can come from faculty, staff, or students.
• Nomination packets should include the following:
  • CV of nominee.
  • 1 nominating letter (maximum 500 words).
    • Articulate how individual fits criteria for award
    • Provide evidence for excellence in Institutional Access work
    • How has the nominee shown a commitment to enhance or support Institutional Access?
    • Using examples, please state why you consider the nominee to be a worthy recipient of the Dean’s Institutional Access Award.
  • Self-statement from nominee.
    • Discuss personal goals and accomplishments, philosophy, and outcomes associated with Institutional Access activities
  • Proof that nominee has completed at least one educational opportunity offered by the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion [MSU Dialogues, or Diversity and Equity e-Learning]
  • 2 supporting letters from individuals other than nominators. No more than one supporting letter can come from a student.

Selection Process

The Associate Dean of Access, Faculty Development and Strategic Implementation will convene an Institutional Access Award committee of 3, who will evaluate nominations and make a recommendation to the Dean.

Award Amount - $1,000

About

Matt Hansen was the inaugural recipient of the College of Social Science Support Staff Award, receiving it in March 2020. Matt served as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and fully exemplified the desired qualities of award recipients--including commitment to excellence and service to community. Matt made a strong and unique impact on all who came in contact with him, and through his true professionalism, fostered a positive culture and climate throughout our College.

Matt’s life was cut short, leaving his family and the College of Social Science community with a void that cannot be filled. In recognition and celebration of Matt’s young life, the college support staff award is named in his honor.

Eligibility

Regular staff members in job classifications under CT, AP, or ASPA. Student, temporary, and on-call employees are not eligible to be nominated. Minimum of one year of continuous service in the College of Social Science is required. Primary assignment must be in the College of Social Science.

Materials needed

Nomination form, a letter of nomination and two additional letters of support. 

Selection criteria

The award criteria are focused around three pillars: Impact, Culture/Climate, and Professionalism. Support letters should encompass the award criteria and be limited to two pages each.

Nominations

Due by February 2, 2026 to SSC.DACSS@msu.edu

Responsible Committee

SSC Dean’s Advisory Committee for Support Staff

Award Amount - $1,000

Purpose

To recognize staff for displaying an exceptional commitment to fostering an environment in which Institutional Access is understood, valued, respected, appreciated, and practiced.

Eligibility

All staff members in the College, with candidates identified by self-nominations or by faculty, staff, and students on behalf of someone they see as deserving.

Selection Criteria

Awardees would have played a leadership role in advancing  Institutional Access. For example, successful nominees could actively serve underrepresented populations, develop or implement innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhance the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Nominations

Nomination packets should be submitted via email to: SSC.OIASubmissions@msu.edu, and must be received by January 30, 2026.

• Nominations can come from MSU faculty, staff, or students
• Nomination packets should include the following:     
  • CV of nominee
  • 1 nominating letter (maximum 500 words).
    • Articulate how individual fits criteria for award
    • Provide evidence for excellence in Institutional Access work
    • How has the nominee shown a commitment to enhance or support Institutional Access?
    • Using examples, please state why you consider the nominee to be a worthy recipient of the Dean’s Institutional Access Award.
  • Proof that nominee has completed at least one educational opportunity offered by the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion [MSU Dialogues, or Diversity and Equity e-Learning]
  • 2 supporting letters from individuals other than nominators. No more than one supporting letter can come from a student.

Selection Process

The Associate Dean for Access, Faculty Development and Strategic Implementation will convene an Institutional Access Award committee of 3, who will evaluate nominations and make a recommendation to the Dean.

Outstanding Faculty Award

Presented annually, this award recognizes a current faculty member in the College who takes pride in and is committed to quality teaching and who demonstrates substantial continuing involvement in undergraduate education. Nominations are submitted by chairs and directors with input from current students.

Ashlee Barnes-Lee

Assistant Professor
School of Social Work

Faculty Teaching Innovation Award - Tenure System

This award is given to a faculty member who teaches undergraduate courses who takes an innovative approach to educating our students successfully.

Helen Veit

Associate Professor
Department of History

Faculty Teaching Innovation Award - Integrative Studies

This award recognizes teaching excellence, dedication to student success, commitment to MSU undergraduate learning goals, and emphasis on international, multicultural, or national diversity in Integrative Studies in Social Science.

David Baylis

Professor
Center for Integrative Studies

Faculty Outreach & Engagement Award

This award is given to a faculty member for their significant impact on the larger community through creative and innovative outreach or applied knowledge.

Michelle Kaminski

Associate Professor
School of Human Resources and Labor Relations

Rising Star Research Award

This award recognizes early in career, tenure system faculty for research that has resulted in notable products such as high quality peer-reviewed publication(s), grant funding, and/or media appearances. This faculty member demonstrates innovative or transformative achievement beyond the norm.

Ryan Scrivens

Assistant Professor
School of Criminal Justice

Graduate Student Research Award

This award recognizes a graduate student who has conducted student initiated and led original research that demonstrates a clear potential for continued research excellence, while demonstrating conceptual and/or methodological rigor. Special consideration was given to work that incorporates emerging scholarly perspectives or interdisciplinary approaches.

Soyeon Park

Graduate Student
Department of Political Science

Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching Award

This award recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated evidence of dedication to instruction through experimentation and successful implementation of innovative techniques and/or contribution to the scholarship of teaching and learning, including experiential learning; and evidence of excellence in instruction as demonstrated by the impact on students’ careers and colleagues’ teaching/advising practices.

Joe Karisny

Graduate Student
Department of History

Matt Hansen Outstanding Staff Award

This award recognizes support staff who demonstrate commitment to excellence and service to the community as evident in their impact and professionalism, and by fostering positive culture/climate. This award is in honor of the late Matt Hansen, the very first recipient of this award who served as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

Mike Chapko

Graduate Program Coordinator
School of Criminal Justice

Institutional Access Award - Tenure Stream

This award recognizes a faculty member who plays a leadership role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion by demonstrating activities which may include serving underrepresented populations, developing or implementing innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhancing the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Karen Holt

Assistant Professor
School of Criminal Justice

Lifetime Achievement Award for Teaching, Research, and Service

This award is presented MSU faculty in the College who have served for at least 20 years, but may currently hold emeritus status. Recipients have excelled in areas of research, teaching and service.

Ed McGarrell
Professor 
School of Criminal Justice

Outstanding Faculty Award

Presented annually, this award recognizes a current faculty member in the College who takes pride in and is committed to quality teaching and who demonstrates substantial continuing involvement in undergraduate education. Nominations are submitted by chairs and directors with input from current students.

PJ Pettis
Assistant Professor 
Department of Sociology

Faculty Teaching Innovation Award-Fixed Term

This award recognizes a fixed-term faculty member for their innovation in undergraduate teaching and impact on student learning.

Laurie Bulock
Assistant Professor-Fixed Term
Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Faculty Teaching Innovation Award-Integrative Studies

This award recognizes teaching excellence, dedication to student success, commitment to MSU undergraduate learning goals, and emphasis on international, multicultural, or national diversity in Integrative Studies in Social Science.

Anna Gurinskaya
Assistant Professor 
School of Criminal Justice

Faculty Research Award-Disciplinary/Cross Disciplinary

This award recognizes significant cross-disciplinary research with researchers from a distinctly different discipline across Michigan State University. 

Jon X. Eguia
Professor 
Department of Economics

Graduate Student Teaching Award

This award recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated evidence of dedication to instruction through experimentation and successful implementation of innovative techniques and/or contribution to the scholarship of teaching and learning, including experiential learning; and evidence of excellence in instruction as demonstrated by the impact on students’ careers and colleagues’ teaching/advising practices.

Uriel Saldivar
School of Human Resources and Labor Relations 

Graduate Student Research Award

This award recognizes a graduate student who has conducted student initiated and led original research that demonstrates a clear potential for continued research excellence, while demonstrating conceptual and/or methodological rigor. Special consideration was given to work that incorporates emerging scholarly perspectives or interdisciplinary approaches.

Bernard Moore
Department of History

Graduate Student Research Award

This award recognizes a graduate student who has conducted student initiated and led original research that demonstrates a clear potential for continued research excellence, while demonstrating conceptual and/or methodological rigor. Special consideration was given to work that incorporates emerging scholarly perspectives or interdisciplinary approaches.

Youchuan Zhang
Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Staff Award

This award recognizes a academic/support staff person who plays a leadership role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion by demonstrating activities which may include serving underrepresented populations, developing or implementing innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhancing the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Sean Hankins
Academic Specialist
Department of Psychology

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Graduate Student Award

This award recognizes an graduate student who has played a significant role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, by demonstrating activities which may include serving underrepresented populations, developing or implementing innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhancing the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Qi Huang
Department of Human Development and Family Studies

Matt Hansen Support Staff Award

This award recognizes support staff who demonstrate commitment to excellence and service to the community as evident in their impact and professionalism, and by fostering positive culture/climate. This award is in honor of the late Matt Hansen, the very first recipient of this award who served as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

Shelly DeJong
Communication Manager
Department of Psychology/Dean's Office

Lifetime Achievement Award for Teaching, Research, and Service

This award is presented MSU faculty in the College who have served for at least 20 years, but may currently hold emeritus status. Recipients have excelled in areas of research, teaching and service.

Deborah Kashy
Professor
Department of Psychology

Outstanding Faculty Award

Presented annually, this award recognizes a current faculty member in the College who takes pride in and is committed to quality teaching and who demonstrates substantial continuing involvement in undergraduate education. Nominations are submitted by chairs and directors with input from current students.

Heather McCauley
Associate Professor
School of Social Work

Faculty Teaching Innovation Award

This award recognizes a fixed-term faculty member for their innovation in undergraduate teaching and impact on student learning.

Allison Rojek
Instructor
School of Criminal Justice

Karen Holt
Assistant Professor
School of Criminal Justice

Integrative Studies in the Social Sciences Teaching Award

This award recognizes teaching excellence, dedication to student success, commitment to MSU undergraduate learning goals, and emphasis on international, multicultural, or national diversity in Integrative Studies in Social Science.

Brandy Ellison
Assistant Professor
Center for Integrative Studies in Social Science

Rising Star Research Award from the College of Social Science

This award recognizes early in career, tenure system faculty for research that has resulted in notable products such as high quality peer-reviewed publication(s), grant funding, and/or media appearances. This faculty member demonstrates innovative or transformative achievement beyond the norm.

Yijie Wang
Assistant Professor
Department of Human Development & Family Studies

Faculty Outreach and Engagement Award

This award is given to a faculty member for their significant impact on the larger community through creative and innovative outreach or applied knowledge.

Sarah Douglas
Associate Professor
Department of Human Development & Family Studies

Graduate Student Research Award

This award recognizes a graduate student who has conducted student initiated and led original research that demonstrates a clear potential for continued research excellence, while demonstrating conceptual and/or methodological rigor. Special consideration was given to work that incorporates emerging scholarly perspectives or interdisciplinary approaches.

Megan Mikhail
Department of Psychology

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Faculty Award

This award recognizes a faculty member who plays a leadership role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion by demonstrating activities which may include serving underrepresented populations, developing or implementing innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhancing the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Heather Howard
Associate Professor
Department of Anthropology

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Undergraduate Student Award

This award recognizes an undergraduate student who has played a significant role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, by demonstrating activities which may include serving underrepresented populations, developing or implementing innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhancing the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Mariah Smith
School of Human Resources and Labor Relations

Matt Hansen Support Staff Award

This award recognizes support staff who demonstrate commitment to excellence and service to the community as evident in their impact and professionalism, and by fostering positive culture/climate. This award is in honor of the late Matt Hansen, the very first recipient of this award who served as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.

Aubree Montie
Human Resources Coordinator
School of Social Work

Rising Star Research Award

This award recognizes early in career, tenure system faculty for research that has resulted in notable products such as high quality peer-reviewed publication(s), grant funding, and/or media appearances. This faculty member demonstrates innovative or transformative achievement beyond the norm.

Dr. Caitlin Cavanagh
Assistant Professor
School of Criminal Justice

Graduate Student Research Award

This award recognizes a graduate student who has conducted student initiated and led original research that demonstrates a clear potential for continued research excellence, while demonstrating conceptual and/or methodological rigor. Special consideration was given to work that incorporates emerging scholarly perspectives or interdisciplinary approaches.

Anh Sy Huy Le
PhD student
Department of History

Graduate Student Teaching Award

This award recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated evidence of dedication to instruction through experimentation and successful implementation of innovative techniques and/or contribution to the scholarship of teaching and learning, including experiential learning; and evidence of excellence in instruction as demonstrated by the impact on students’ careers and colleagues’ teaching/advising practices.

Mark Suchyta
PhD student
Department of Sociology

Dean's Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award: Undergraduate Student

This award recognizes an undergraduate student who has played a significant role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, by demonstrating activities which may include serving underrepresented populations, developing or implementing innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhancing the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Jasmine Jordan 
Department of Political Science

Dean's Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award: Faculty

This award recognizes a faculty member who plays a leadership role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion by demonstrating activities which may include serving underrepresented populations, developing or implementing innovative programs that enhance participation and opportunity, or enhancing the ability and effectiveness of the College to be an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Dr. Najib Hourani
Associate Professor
Department of Anthropology and the Global Urban Studies Program

Faculty Teaching Innovation Award: Fixed-Term

This award recognizes a fixed-term faculty member for their innovation in undergraduate teaching and impact on student learning.

Dr. Eddie Boucher
Assistant Professor
Center for Integrative Studies

Integrative Studies in Social Science Teaching Excellence Award

This award recognizes teaching excellence, dedication to student success, commitment to MSU undergraduate learning goals, and emphasis on international, multicultural, or national diversity in Integrative Studies in Social Science.

Dr. Erin Graham
Assistant Professor
Department of History and Chicano/Latino Studies

Faculty Outreach/Engagement Award

This award is given to a faculty member for their significant impact on the larger community through creative and innovative outreach or applied knowledge.

Dr. Jennifer Carrera
Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology

Matt Hansen Support Staff Award

This award recognizes support staff who demonstrate commitment to excellence and service to community as evident in their impact and professionalism, and by fostering positive culture/climate.

Melissa Christle
Graduate Secretary
School of Criminal Justice

Women's Leadership Institute Tomlanovich Equity Research Award

This award is given to faculty and undergraduate student teams to conduct research that advances understanding of intersectionality and gender equity to realize the vision of the Women’s Leadership Institute - to advance leadership equity for women globally.

Dr. Nazita Lajevardi with student Jasmine Jordan 
Dr. Cristina Bodea and Dr. Andrew Kerner with students Zac Ozormoor and Lillian Meng 
Department of Political Science