UNCW Celebrates Faculty Awards Ceremony

The university honored several recipients at the 2025 Faculty Awards Celebration held on April 29. Chancellor Aswani K. Volety, Provost James J. Winebrake, the deans and other academic leaders were present to formally recognize the honorees. Hosted by the Office of Faculty Affairs, the awards event is an annual celebration of faculty excellence presented by the university. 

“The awards we have presented today are a testament to the recipients’ dedication, their passion and their relentless pursuit and sharing of knowledge,” said Provost Winebrake in his closing remarks. “They represent the best of the best, and it is our honor to acknowledge their contributions.” 

Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching  
Presented at UNCW Commencement by the Board of Governors  
- Zachary Long, associate professor, Department of Biology and Marine Biology 

Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award  
Presented by Provost Winebrake  
- Shelby Morge, professor, Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy and Special Education

Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award  
Presented by the college deans  
- Cameron School of Business |  Daniel Soques, associate professor, Department of Economics and Finance 
 - College of Health and Human Services |  Alicia Sellon, associate professor, School of Social Work  
 - College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts | Robin Post, associate professor, Department of Theatre  
 - College of Science and Engineering |  Kara E. Yopak, associate professor, Department of Biology and Marine Biology  
 - Watson College of Education |  Sheri Lyn Conklin, associate professor, Department of Instructional Technology, Foundations and Secondary Education  

Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award  
Presented by Faculty Senate President Colleen Reilly  
 -  Jessie C. Jarvis, professor, Department of Biology and Marine Biology 
-  Kate B. Nooner, professor, Department of Psychology 

Distinguished Scholarly Engagement and Public Service Award  
Presented by Provost Winebrake  
 -  Hayley Henrikson Estrem, associate professor, School of Nursing  

Distinguished Teaching Professorship Award  
Presented by Provost Winebrake  
 -  Shelby Morge, professor, Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle, Literacy 
and Special Education 
 -  Lisa Sprod, associate professor, School of Health and Applied Human Sciences 

Excellence in Online Education Award  
Presented by Dean Lucy Holman, on behalf of the Office of Distance Education and eLearning  
 -  Daisyane Barreto, associate professor, Department of Instructional Technology, Foundations and Secondary Education  

Graduate Faculty Mentor Award  
Presented by Associate Dean Wendy Donlin Washington, on behalf of the Graduate School  
 -  Eman Ghoneim, professor, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences 

J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award  
Presented by Kendra Harrison, on behalf of the Alumni Association  
 -  Sally MacKain, professor, Department of Psychology  

Lecturer of the Year Award  
Presented by Dean Lucy Holman, on behalf of the Center for Teaching Excellence  
 -  T. Robert Hart, senior lecturer, Department of History  
 - Stephanie Tucker, senior lecturer, Department of World Languages and Cultures  

Part-time Lecturer of the Year Award  
Presented by Dean Lucy Holman, on behalf of the Center for Teaching Excellence  
 - Deirdre M. Moench, lecturer, Department of Art and Art History  

More information on many of the awards may be found on the Faculty Excellence Awards webpage.