By Mindy Ayala-Diaz

NORFOLK, Va. — 91Ƭ's Darden College of Education and Professional Studies recognized the exceptional achievements of 65 students during the DCEPS Student Awards Luncheon held on April 29 in the Big Blue Room. The ceremony celebrated students who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and community involvement.

Dean Tammi Dice shared, “A significant highlight of my role has been to witness the passion, drive, commitment, and resilience our students have shown as they have overcome extraordinary hurdles. I truly am so proud of each of you.”

The luncheon concluded with the presentation of the prestigious Jane S. Bray Award, which was bestowed upon Betsy Perez, a standout PhD candidate from the Counselor Education & Supervision program. Named after the former dean of the Darden College, this award is named in her honor to recognize students that exemplify what she worked so hard to promote in the DCEPS- excellence in academics, research and service, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion. Betsy’s dedication to her studies and her impactful contributions to the field have set a high standard of excellence and serve as an inspiration to her peers.

You can view more and you can learn more about each of our awardees by viewing

Department of Counseling & Human Services

  • Charnita Clements
    Outstanding Master's Student - School Counseling
  • Kacey Bunting
    Outstanding Master's Student - Mental Health Counseling
  • Betsy Perez
    Outstanding Doctoral Student - Counseling
  • Nicolas D. Schmoyer
    Outstanding Doctoral Student - Counseling
  • Annika Tan
    Outstanding Human Services Student
  • Madison Stevens
    Outstanding Human Services Intern
  • Courtney Abston
    Jill C. Dustin Excellence in Service and Leadership Award

Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership

  • Teri Harris
    Outstanding Workforce and Organizational Development Doctoral Student Award
  • Mitchell Miklos
    Outstanding Marketing Education Student Award
  • Mitchell Miklos
    Lee Bullard Award for Marketing Education
  • Kellita White
    Outstanding Fashion Award
  • Doug Stanley
    Outstanding Industrial Technology Award
  • Morian Bailey
    Outstanding Training Specialist Award
  • Stephen Stalker
    Technology Education Award for Academic Excellence
  • Taylor Wells
    Outstanding Master's Student - Educational Leadership
  • Kayla Heath
    Outstanding Educational Specialist Student - Educational Leadership
  • Gary Skeen
    Outstanding Doctoral Student - Educational Leadership
  • Jeanette “Jan” White
    Outstanding Dissertation of the Year - Educational Leadership
  • James Jones
    Owings-Kaplan Writing Award in Educational Leadership
  • Christina LiPuma
    Outstanding Doctoral Student - Higher Education, PhD.
  • Gabrielle Smith-Finnie
    Outstanding Doctoral Contribution, Higher Education
  • Yatta Jeusi
    Leadership Award - Higher Education, Master’s Program
  • Christopher Davidson
    Mentorship Award - Higher Education Master’s Program
  • Gillian Gregory
    Scholarship Award - Higher Education Master’s Program
  • Craig Rollins III
    Most Important Contribution in Higher Education Award
  • Amy Henecke
    Mentorship Award - Community College Leadership
  • Ekaterina “Katie” Brooks
    Scholarship Award - Community College Leadership
  • Emily Moore
    Leadership Award - Community College Leadership
  • Anna Jones
    Community College Leadership Dissertation of the Year
  • Gerome Bell
    Poindexter Award (Outstanding Community College Leadership Doctoral Student Award)

Department of Human Movement Studies & Special Education

  • Chloe Cox
    Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Special Education General Curriculum
  • Candace Reed
    Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Special Education Adapted Curriculum
  • Kasey Sypolt
    Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Special Education Adapted Curriculum
  • Deborah Stewart
    Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Early Childhood Special Education
  • Catherine Bolton
    Academic Excellence Award - Special Education General Curriculum
  • Rachel Robinson
    Academic Excellence Award - Special Education Adapted Curriculum
  • Hana Almouhamadi
    Kimberly Hughes Research Award
  • Erin Ackleson
    Michael A. Dean Academic Excellence Award- Health & Physical Education
  • Tim Dodge
    Academic Excellence Award - Sport Management
  • Anthony Patrick
    Rachel E. Scher Service Award - Sport Management
  • Katherine Guevara
    Academic Excellence Award - Tourism Management
  • Kalleigh West
    Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Health & Physical Education
  • Caroline Helmer
    Graduate Award for Academic Excellence - Sport Management
  • Lindsey Nowland
    Doctoral Award for Academic Excellence - Human Movement Studies & Special Education
  • Kevin Johnson
    Jan P. Lowrance '74 Endowed Scholarship

Department of STEM Education & Professional Studies

  • Breeanne Kirsch
    Alan Mandell Endowed Award - Instructional Design and Technology
  • Nikki Galloway
    Outstanding Library Science Student Award
  • Stephanie Moreno
    Outstanding School Library Student Award
  • Erin Cousins
    Outstanding Student Award - Educational Psychology and Program Evaluation

Department of Teaching & Learning

  • Julatte Hillman
    Outstanding Student Virginia Education Association Student
  • Abi Elizabeth Pierce
    Outstanding Graduate Student - PK-6 Education
  • Mary Gregory
    Outstanding Curriculum & Instruction Doctoral Student
  • Lauren Elise Padilla
    Carol V. DeRolf Early Childhood Education Award
  • Megan Kurtz
    Katharine Kersey Award for Early Childhood Education
  • Preston Cramer
    R.W. and Betty MacDonald Endowment Scholarship in Language Arts & Social Studies
  • Jessica Kelsey
    Alan Mandell Award - Science Education
  • Laramie McCallister
    Betty Yarborough Outstanding Graduate Student Award - Reading Education
  • Quinn Quash
    Mark A. Forget Endowed Scholarship in Content Area Reading Education
  • Hannah Stuart
    Virginia Scholars Award

Awards

The Teachers of Promise Award is bestowed upon exceptional prospective educators selected from various colleges and universities offering education programs throughout Virginia. Established in 2004, the Teachers of Promise Institute aims to identify and celebrate the most promising future teachers. Supported by The Teachers of Promise Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Roanoke, Virginia, and managed by a team of experienced educators, the Institute has recognized over 3,800 outstanding Teachers of Promise from thirty-six different institutions of higher learning to date.

  • Faith Dutch
  • Sydney Hodges
  • Kiana Hancock
  • Zachary Richardson
  • Alayna Underwood

Jane S. Bray Award

Dr. Jane Bray served as Dean of the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies from 2013-2020. This award is named in her honor to recognize students that exemplify what she worked so hard to promote in the DCEPS- excellence in academics, research and service, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.

  • Dr. Betsy Perez - Counselor Education & Supervision, PhD