Edward F. Aboufadel, senior associate vice president for Academic
Affairs, is pictured at the 2022 Teach-In. Aboufadel was honored by
the Mathematics Association of America with a career achievement award.
Photo Credit:
Kendra Stanley-Mills
Faculty and staff members who have given presentations, were
recognized for outstanding contributions or had their research
published are detailed below. The campus community can submit
a sketch online for future publication.
Edward F. Aboufadel, senior associate vice president
for Academic Affairs, received the T.
Christine Stevens Award from the Mathematics Association of
America. The award is presented to people who have performed
significant, sustained work to cultivate and strengthen leadership
skills within the mathematical sciences across the full range of
professional activities.
The Human Resources department received the College
and University Professional Association for Human Resources 2023 HR
Excellence Award for the creation and implementation of the total HR
transformation that began last year.
University Communications received two awards from
the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America at its annual
PRoof Awards:
Alumna Clare Quirin and student Amberly
Dzimira were both named Public Relations Student of the
Year; Dzimira received the Kelly Rossman-McKinney Leadership Award
for pre-professional grit and tenacity.
Adrienne Wallace, associate professor of
advertising and public relations, received the PRSA East Central
District Platinum Award winner for leadership at national, district,
chapter and PRSSA levels.
WGVU Public Media earned eight awards from the
Michigan Associated Press Media Editors:
Best Use of Sound, second place
Best Newscast: first place, Jennifer Moss; second
place, Patrick Center
Best Reporter/Anchor: Kylie Ambu, first place
Best Spot News Coverage: Protesters Shut Down Grand Rapids
Commission Meeting, first place; Peaceful Protestors Demand Justice
For Patrick Lyoya, second place
Best Investigative Reporting: Food Pantries Struggle Amid National
Baby Formula Shortage, second place
Best Continuing Coverage: GRPD Officer Kills Patrick Lyoya During
Traffic Stop, first place
Miloš Topic, vice president for IT and chief digital
officer, was named a finalist for the 2023 Michigan ORBIE Awards in
the Nonprofit/Public Sector category, presented by MichiganCIO.
Kim Kennard, director of eLearning, was honored with
the Anthology Impact Award. The Award recognizes individuals who have
gone above and beyond in supporting the implementation and ongoing use
of Anthology products and technology.
Elena Lioubimtseva, professor of geography and
sustainable planning, gave a presentation, "The Role of
Non-Climate Data in Equitable Climate Adaptation Planning: Lessons
from Small French and American Cities," and co-presented with
students, Kaytlin Poynter and Hannah Zylman, "Equitable and
Inclusive Climate Adaptation Planning in Michigan Cities," at the
Association of American Geographers conference in Denver, Colorado.
She also co-authored an article, "The Role of
Non-Climate Data in Equitable Climate Adaptation Planning: Lessons
from Small French and American Cities," published in Sustainability.
Glenna Decker and David Nivala, from
the eLearning Team, were panelists in a virtual discussion, "The
Instructor Perspective: Pedagogical Best Practices in Learn
Ultra." They discussed
utilizing Learn Ultra as a tool to improve efficiency, boost
engagement, monitor and optimize student progress, and more.
Laura Schneider, associate professor of political
science, gave a presentation, "Civil Literacy or Ideological
Indoctrination: The Political Weaponization of Civic Education,"
at the American Political Science Association's Teaching and Learning
Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
Eric Kunnen, senior director, IT Innovation and
Research, was a panelist for an Inside Higher Ed webinar, "IT
Leadership Panel: Exploring 5 Key Trends in Higher Education,"
facilitated by Logitech.
Donald Zinman, professor of political science, gave a
presentation, "A Stumbling Party Fusion: The Case of the 1812
Presidential Election," at the Midwest Political Science
Association conference. Zinman also wrote a chapter, "How Can We
Get Rid of a Bad President?" for a book, The U.S. Constitution in
Five Minutes, published by Equinox Publishing.
Deana Weibel, professor of anthropology, led a
workshop, "Reflections of Humans in Space" at the
International Space Studies University Program in São Paulo, Brazil.
Weibel also helped with another workshop, "Capturing the Stories
of Real Life Adventures in Analog & Extreme Environments."
A Seidman College of Business planning team, along with other faculty, staff and students, planned an event for Ottawa Hills High School students who were competing in a scholarship contest.
Leanne Kang gave a presentation about research and oral histories of former GRPS students, staff and faculty at a community event. The project was funded by the Kutsche Office of Local History.