The Neag School of Education Dean's Office gives out annual awards honoring faculty, staff, and students for research, teaching, and service. Current Neag School students, faculty, and staff nominate others or themselves each spring for the awards listed below.
Dr. Perry A. Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award
The Dr. Perry A. Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award is awarded annually to a full-time faculty member in the Neag School of Education for outstanding teaching.
Alumnus Perry A. Zirkel ’68 MA, ’72 Ph.D., ’76 JD is university professor emeritus of education and law at Lehigh University, where he formerly was dean of the College of Education and more recently held the Iacocca Chair in Education for its five-year term.
He has a Ph.D. in educational administration and a JD from the University of Connecticut, and a master of laws degree from Yale University.
Learn more about the criteria for the award on the Dr. Perry A. Zirkel Distinguished Teaching Award webpage.
Past Recipients:
- 2024 Recipient: Saran Stewart
- 2023 Recipient: Danielle Filipiak
- 2022 Recipient: Tamika La Salle
- 2020 Recipient: Milagros Castillo-Montoya
- 2019 Recipient: Jennie Weiner
- 2018 Recipient: D. Betsy McCoach
Neag School Research Awards
The Dean’s Office is pleased to honor outstanding research conducted by faculty and students in the Neag School of Education. Nominations may be submitted by any individual faculty member, department head, or administrator in the Neag School. Self-nominations are also welcome. The nomination process requires:
- A cover letter providing a rationale for the nomination
- The vita of the person being nominated
- Confirmation that the nominee was active in the Neag School during the 2023-24 academic year
All nominations will be screened by a selection committee consisting of former awardees. The awards and qualifications are listed below.
Distinguished Researcher Award
This award is given to a full professor in the Neag School of Education who, over at least the last ten-year period (at least 5 consecutive completed years at UConn), has made significant research contributions to their field of study. The number and quality of research publications and grants, level of importance in the discovery process, and impact (both practical applied and/or basic science) in their specific field of study will be evaluated. The impact of their contributions to the development of a successful team approach in research is also an important factor.
Past Recipients:
- Del Siegle — 2024
- Brandi Simonsen and Suzanne Wilson — 2021
- Joseph Madaus — 2019
- James Kaufman — 2018
- Michael Coyne — 2017
- Donald Leu and D. Betsy McCoach — 2015
- M. Katherine Gavin — 2012
- William Kraemer — 2009
- Scott W. Brown — 2008
- Sally M. Reis — 2007
- Carl Maresh — 2006
- Larry Armstrong — 2005
- Thomas Kehle — 2004
- Timothy Reagan — 2003
- Joseph S. Renzulli — 2002
Outstanding Mid-Career Scholar Award
This award is given to an accomplished associate professor (at least 3 consecutive completed years at UConn) who over the course of their career has made significant research contributions to their field of study. The number and quality of research publications and grants, level of importance in the discovery process, and impact (both practical applied and/or basic science) in their specific field of study will be evaluated. The impact of their contributions to the development of a successful team approach in research is also an important factor.
Past Recipients:
- Jennie Weiner — 2023
Outstanding Early-Career Scholar Award
This award is given to a pre-tenure faculty member in the Neag School of Education (at least 2 consecutive years completed at UConn). This award is for outstanding early career scholarly contributions to one’s field of study along with a demonstrated potential for continued research success and achievements. The number and quality of research publications, significant presentations in the field, grant activity, and collaborative efforts will be evaluated.
Past Recipients:
- Chen Chen — 2024
- Ido Davidesco — 2023
- Hannah Dostal — 2019
- Allison Lombardi — 2018
- Devin Kearns – 2017
- Joseph Cooper — 2016
- Rachael Gabriel and Sarah Woulfin — 2015
- Morgaen Donaldson and Lisa Sanetti — 2012
- Michael Faggella-Luby — 2009
- Jason Irizarry — 2008
- Courtney Bell — 2007
- Jeff Volek — 2005
- Douglas Casa and Michael Coyne — 2004
- Sandra Chafouleas — 2003
- Melissa Bray — 2002
Outstanding Student Researcher Award
This award will be given to a student whose research during study with the Neag School of Education demonstrates a pattern of excellence and represents potential to make an impact in their field of study. The record of publications, honors, presentations, grants, and impact on fellow students and faculty will be evaluated.
Past Recipients:
- Elizabeth Zagata — 2024
- Ashley Taconet — 2023
- Emily Tarconish — 2021
- Taylor Koriain — 2019
- Charles D.T. Macaulay — 2017
- Ricki Ginsberg — 2016
- Elena Forzani — 2015
Valerie J. Pichette Outstanding Staff Award
The Dean’s office is pleased to seek nominations for the Valerie J. Pichette Outstanding Staff Award. Named in honor of the late Valerie J. Pichette, this award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond in their work at the Neag School over the past academic year. Pichette had a 30-year history of service to the state of Connecticut, including having served as executive assistant to the Neag School dean for nearly two decades.
This award is given to a staff member who has been in a staff position with the Neag School for at least three years and has demonstrated excellence in their work, has made professional contributions to the Neag School, and exemplified community engagement within the Neag School.
Past Recipients:
- Anna Roberts — 2024
- Megan Pichette — 2023
- Jamison Judd — 2021
