Faculty, staff recognized for excellence at college assembly
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