Faculty, staff recognized for excellence at college assembly
April 14, 2026

Several faculty and staff members were recognized for excellence at the college assembly on April 13.

In addition to recognizing award winners, Dean Anisa Zvonkovic shared updates on the college and congratulated faculty who received promotion and tenure and university and national awards, and thanked several retiring faculty and staff members.

UGA Provost Benjamin Ayers provided an update on the university's success this academic year and discussed upcoming initiatives.

Staff council chair Dulce Minaya recognized staff members for their years of service. 

Retiring faculty and staff recognized were Pamela Turner, Melinda Pethel, Pao Ku, Gajanan Bhat, Andy Carswell, Lance Palmer, April Few-Demo, Ron Sages, Edda Cotto-Rivera and Livia Wade.

"I am so proud of all the wonderful accomplishments FACS has achieved this academic year," Zvonkovic said. "As finals and summer are on the horizon, I encourage you to continue the excellent services you provide to our students and community. FACS continues to grow because of each and every one of you." 

Faculty and Staff Award Recipients

Bill and June Flatt Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award

Kimberly Watkins, Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics

Outstanding Undergraduate Faculty Advisor Award

Tracey Brigman, Nutritional Sciences

Tom Rodgers Outreach County Agent Award

Susie Medina, FACS Extension agent

Outreach Paraprofessional Award

Elizabeth Greene, EFNEP Program Assistant, UGA Extension

Dr. Chris Todd Outstanding Outreach Award

Ted Futris and Evin Richardson for Elevate Couples Georgia: The Dissemination of Healthy Marriage and Relationship Education to Couples Across Georgia; Human Development and Family Science, UGA Extension

Bill and June Flatt Outstanding Extension and Outreach Faculty Award

Carla Schwan, Nutritional Sciences, UGA Extension Food Safety Specialist

Bill and June Flatt Outstanding Faculty Research Award

Assaf Oshri, Samuel A. and Sharon Y. Nickols Professor and Director of the Georgia Center for Developmental Science in Human Development and Family Science, Human Development and Family Science

Early Career Faculty Research Award

Niyantri Ravindran, Human Development and Family Sciences

Faculty Mentoring Undergraduate Research Award

Michelle Parisi, Nutritional Sciences, UGA Extension Chronic Disease Specialist

Community Builder Award - Faculty

Zolinda Stoneman, Anne Montgomery Haltiwanger Distinguished, Director of the Center on Human Development and Disability

Community Builder Award – Staff

Rob Irwin, Nutritional Sciences

FACS Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Staff Advisor Award

Aimee Dowd, Student Success and Advising Center

Nettie Marie Nickols Outstanding Staff Award

Melissa McBride, Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics

UGA and national award recipients

Abby Baker, 2026 Creative Engagement Fellow

Rob Pazdro and Kristy Archuleta, 2025-26 Service-Learning Fellows

Lauren Housley and Noel Card, 2025-26 Generative AI & Teaching Faculty Fellows 2025-26

Assaf Oshri, 2025-26 Aspire Fellow

Sha'Mira Covington, 2025-27 Lilly Teaching Fellow

Connie Rogers, SEC Academic Leadership Development Fellow

Travis Mountain, Candy Beers, and Deborah Lacey: 2025-26 Teaching Academy Early Career Fellows

Michael Thomas, Outstanding Instructor Award, Financial Therapy Association

Chuck Geier, Ted Futris, and Vladimir Reukov are serving as Rural Engagement Workshop for Academic Faculty

Steve Kogan, Fellow of the Society for Prevention Research

Promotion and Tenure

Vladimir Reukov, Associate Professor with tenure, Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors

Jewon Lyu, Associate Professor with tenure, Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors

Sina Gallo, received tenure, Nutritional Sciences

Carla Schwan, Associate Professor with tenure, Nutritional Sciences

Michael Thomas, Senior Lecturer, Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics

Staff Council Years of Service recognition 

With 5 Years of Service

Hellen Oloya

Katie Suma

Shamika Howard

Dorthea Lewis Long

With 10 Years of Service

Brigette Love

Monica Johnson

Ryan Burke

Donna Holcomb

With 15 Years of Service

Kandice Mitchell

With 20 Years of Service

Lori Treff

Jenny Dutton

Cecily Hill

With 25 Years of Service

Patricia Amberg

30(+) Years of Service

Anne Allen

Categories: Nutritional SciencesResearch