Metropolitan State University of Denver faculty, staff and students came together Thursday at the seventh annual Roadrunners Who Soar Awards celebration, where more than 60 employees were honored for their impact, innovation and dedication to student success. This year’s celebration embraced the theme “Elevated Excellence: Honoring the Roadrunners Who Lead the Way” while celebrating MSU Denver’s 60 years.
“Congratulations to all of tonight’s honorees,” said President Janine Davidson, Ph.D. “What an incredible evening of stories that showcase the impact you make on our students, our colleagues and our community. I am inspired to be in such remarkable company and grateful for the work you do every day to support our University.”
Family, friends and campus leaders surround Emily Willan, chief of staff to the vice president for Enrollment and Student Affairs (center, black top), after she received a Soar Award at the MSU Denver Roadrunners Who Soar event on April 2 at the Tivoli Turnhalle. Photo by Alyson McClaran
Nahum Kisner, assistant vice president of Student Success, speaks to the audience after receiving a Soar Award at the MSU Denver Roadrunners Who Soar event on April 2 at the Tivoli Turnhalle. Photo by Alyson McClaran
Dennis Rudnick, Ph.D., associate professor of Elementary Education (center), accepts an award from Vice Provost Shaun Schafer and mascot Rowdy at the MSU Denver Roadrunners Who Soar event on April 2 at the Tivoli Turnhalle. Photo by Alyson McClaran
MSU Denver employees celebrate at the Roadrunners Who Soar Awards ceremony. Photo by Alyson McClaran
MSU Denver employees celebrate at the Roadrunners Who Soar Awards ceremony. Photo by Alyson McClaran
President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., addresses the audience. Photo by Alyson McClaran
Student emcee Olivia Dupuis-Spiva speaks at the MSU Denver Roadrunners Who Soar event on April 2 at the Tivoli Turnhalle. Photo by Alyson McClaran
A wide shot of the Roadrunners Who Soar Awards on April 2 at the Tivoli Turnhalle. Photo by Alyson McClaran
Honoring excellence
The ceremony began with acknowledgment of Roadrunner Shoutout recipients, esteemed faculty, staff and student employees recognized monthly at President’s Cabinet meetings.
Next came the presentation of the Golich Awards, named for Provost Emeritus Vicki Golich, who co-hosted the segment with Christine Márquez-Hudson, president and CEO of the MSU Denver Foundation, and Vice Provost Shaun Schafer.
Staff and administrator awardees included:
- Administrator: Hannah Flasch, manager of budget and strategy
- Classified: Yvonne Reed, program coordinator for the Writing Center
- Outstanding Professional Advisor: Alexis Magaña, academic advisor III
- Outstanding Faculty Advisor: Sandra Mizumoto Posey, Ph.D., professor in the Gender Institute of Teaching and Advocacy
- Student Employee Supervisor of the Year: Stephen Barela, office manager for Hospitality, Tourism and Events
Faculty members who received awards and honors were:
- Outstanding Mentor for Undergraduate Research: Jovan Hernandez, Ph.D., professor of Psychological Sciences
- Open Educational Resources Champion: Brian Healy, category II lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies
- Excellence in Online Teaching: Carolyn McGary, assistant professor and director of Construction Project Management
- Chair Excellence Award: Lisa Badanes, Ph.D., chair of Psychological Sciences
Student employee Bella Thomas was also honored with the Staff and Administrator Excellence — Student Award.
Outstanding faculty recognitions
The Faculty Awards of Excellence winners included:
- Affiliate Faculty: Teague McDaniel, affiliate professor of Art
- Full-Time Non-Tenure Track: Nicolette Giasolli, lecturer of Biology, and Kayla Delventhal, lecturer of Biology
- Tenure Track Faculty: Adrianna Taylor, assistant professor of Social Work
- Tenured Faculty: Dennis Lance Rudnick, Ph.D., associate professor of Elementary Education
- Scholarly or Creative Activities: Aaron Richmond, Ph.D., professor of Psychological Sciences and associate director at the Center for Advanced STEM Education
- Service: Chad Thane Kendall, associate chair and professor of Aviation and Aerospace Science
President’s Awards recognize leadership and service
Davidson presented the President’s Leadership Award to Christine Márquez-Hudson, president and CEO of the MSU Denver Foundation, for her fundraising vision and leadership in the Roadrunners Rise campaign.
“Christine, your work changes lives. Your vision strengthens this University,” Davidson said. “Your steadfast devotion to our mission ensures that MSU Denver’s future is brighter, more accessible and more impactful than ever.”
The President’s Distinguished Service Awards went to three long-serving employees whose combined decades of behind-the-scenes excellence keep the University running smoothly:
- Roger Wotkyns, professor of Journalism and Media Productions
- Kimberly Wendt, budget and procurement manager for the Department of Music
- Akbarali Thobhani, Ph.D., executive director of International Studies
Surprises and standing ovations
Recipients of the Soar Awards and Team Roadrunner Awards shared impromptu speeches with friends and family members.
The Team Roadrunner Awards, celebrating campus groups that demonstrated collaborative excellence, went to:
- The Transfer Peer Mentoring team for ensuring that students coming from other campuses quickly find connection, support and a strong sense of belonging at MSU Denver.
- The Office of Social Work Student Services team for fostering a culture that supports teamwork and optimizes strategies for student success and enrollment.
- The Alumni Relations team for building a vibrant and growing network of Roadrunners who remain deeply connected to MSU Denver long after graduation.
To be recognized with a Soar Award, the evening’s grand finale, faculty, staff and student employees must embrace and actively demonstrate the University’s CADRE values of community, access, diversity, respect and excellence. Awardees were:
- Gregor Mieder, director of the Immigrant Services Program in the Center for Equity and Student Achievement, for expanding opportunities and strengthening belonging for immigrant, refugee, DACA and undocumented students.
- Nicole Mendoza, LEAD Welcome Desk ambassador, for supporting programs spanning multiple departments and creating pathways for students to succeed.
- Emily Willan, chief of staff to the vice president for Enrollment and Student Affairs, for bringing people together and strengthening a culture of collaboration, including creating a program to prevent course cancelations during planned instructor absences.
- Ann Diker, Ph.D., professor of Nutrition, for her leadership in peer mentoring initiatives and building strong, supportive networks that empower students to thrive.
- Nahum Kisner, assistant vice president of Student Success, for leading student success initiatives and breaking down barriers to make education accessible to all.
“It’s a huge honor to talk to you in front of you all, to be invited,” Mieder said, “but it’s not as great a privilege as working at an institution that’s so dedicated to immigrant, to refugee, to DACA students, to all students who are first-generation, low-income students who really see this as their shot to a career, and to an income, and to building a better future for themselves and for their families.”
The Human Resources and University Events teams led the event with support from the Office of the President, numerous partners and volunteers across campus, a student band, and student emcee Olivia Dupuis-Spiva.
Watch the full video recording of the event:
SOAR and Team nominations will open in the fall. Visit the Roadrunners Who Soar website for more information.
