The University of Illinois Springfield celebrated faculty achievements during the 2025 Faculty Honors Celebration held May 6 in the Student Union Ballroom. Chancellor Janet L. Gooch and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Brandon E. Schwab presided over the annual event, which recognizes excellence in teaching, service, scholarship and community engagement.
Awards presented
Lan Dong, the Louise Hartman Schewe and Karl Schewe Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences, received the Spencer Faculty Service Award for nearly two decades of contributions to UIS and the academic community. Dong has organized more than a dozen ECCE Speaker Series events, served on 18 search committees, and held leadership roles including interim dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Natalya Zinkevich, assistant professor of biology, earned the Pearson Faculty Award, which recognizes outstanding teaching. Zinkevich was honored for her expertise in human anatomy and physiology and her dedication to student mentorship. She has played a key role in shaping the biology curriculum and supporting student academic and professional growth.
The Burks Oakley II Distinguished Online Teaching Award went to Hypatia Bolivar, assistant professor of psychology. Bolívar was recognized for her commitment to accessible and inclusive online instruction. Her teaching philosophy, grounded in applied behavior analysis, emphasizes individualized support and varied learning approaches.
Sheryl Reminger, professor of psychology, received the Faculty Excellence Award in recognition of her sustained accomplishments in teaching and scholarship. Since joining UIS in 2005, Reminger has secured more than $600,000 in grant funding and co-authored 24 peer-reviewed publications. She is also a past recipient of the Pearson Faculty Award.
Allison Lacher, instructor in visual arts, received the Outstanding Teacher Award. In addition to teaching courses such as art appreciation and drawing, she directs the UIS Visual Arts Gallery and provides students with hands-on curatorial and exhibition experience.
Kyle Blount, assistant professor of environmental studies, received the Early Career Scholarship Award. Since arriving at UIS in 2022, Blount has established an ecohydrology lab, published research and received a nearly $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to study urban hydrologic cycles. Blount is integrating this work into the undergraduate curriculum.
Lauren McPherson, adjunct instructor in English, was named Adjunct Faculty of the Year. She was recognized for her student-centered, empathetic approach to teaching first-year writing and for encouraging students to use writing as a tool for civic engagement.
The Faculty Award for Diversity and Inclusion went to Timothy Bill, instructor of communication, for his work with the Coalition of Rainbow Alliances and his leadership in promoting equity and accessibility at UIS and in the Springfield community.
Jennifer Martin, associate professor of education, received the Faculty Engagement Award for her efforts to integrate social-emotional learning and yoga into local schools. She was also recognized for her leadership in student writing groups and community wellness initiatives.
The inaugural Reciprocal Partnership Award honored Daniel Platt, assistant professor of legal studies, and the Northwestern Prison Education Program at Logan Correctional Center. Platt was recognized for his in-person teaching and advocacy for incarcerated students, which exemplifies meaningful faculty-community collaboration.
Ahmad Juma’h, associate professor of accounting, economics and finance, earned the Scholarly Impact Award. He has authored more than 60 scholarly works, including 14 peer-reviewed articles since 2018. His research on cybersecurity, blockchain and data governance has supported interdisciplinary collaboration and doctoral student mentorship.
Tenure, promotions and sabbaticals announced
Faculty recommended for tenure:
- Samer AbuBakr, Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health, College of Health, Science and Technology
- Matthew Geras, Politics and International Affairs, College of Public Affairs and Education
- Mandy Hughett, Legal Studies, College of Public Affairs and Education
- Andrea Jensen, Health Sciences, College of Health, Science and Technology
- Serkan Karadas, Accounting, Economics and Finance, College of Business and Management
- Sevilay Onal, Management, Marketing and Operations, College of Business and Management
- Jason Piscia, Communication and Media, College of Public Affairs and Education
- Junu Shrestha, Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health, College of Health, Science and Technology
- Jae Pom Yom, Health Sciences, College of Health, Science and Technology
- Yun Zhao, Integrated Sciences, Sustainability and Public Health, College of Health, Science and Technology
Faculty recommended for promotion to full professor:
- Kristi Barnwell, History, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
- J. Travis Bland, Public Management and Policy, College of Public Affairs and Education
- Richard Funderburg, Public Management and Policy, College of Public Affairs and Education
- Liang Kong, Mathematical Sciences and Philosophy, College of Health, Science and Technology
Faculty recognized for emeritus status:
- Betsy Goulet, Public Administration, College of Public Affairs and Education
- William Wilson, Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health, Science and Technology
Sabbatical leaves recommended for the 2025-26 academic year:
- Heather Bailey, History
- Svet Braynov, Computer Science
- Elham Buxton, Computer Science (selected for the Berman Sabbatical Award)
- Meg Cass, English
- Hasan Kartal, Management Information Systems
- Holly Kent, History
- Liang Kong, Mathematical Sciences and Philosophy
- Kat Novak, Communication and Media
- Graham Peck, History
- Hinda Seif, Sociology/Anthropology
All tenure, promotion, sabbatical and emeritus status recommendations are subject to approval by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.