Honors and awards
January 2024
VanWaardhuizen named national educator of the year
Laura VanWaardhuizen, Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies program coordinator and human development and family studies assistant teaching professor. was named the national 2024 Teacher Educator of the Year by The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). The award recognizes teacher educators who have demonstrated innovation in teacher education, leadership in improving career and technical education, and commitment to preparing teachers to deliver it in high quality programs.
Howard recognized for recruitment, retention efforts
Dr. Monica Howard, assistant dean of veterinary student success in the College of Veterinary Medicine, has received the 2024 Iverson Bell Award from the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. The award recognizes individuals who have played a significant role in the recruitment, development and retention of pre-vet and DVM students, faculty, residents and interns from underrepresented or disadvantaged or marginalized groups.
Zhang recognized for research excellence, mentoring
Dr. Qijing Zhang, a Clarence Hartley Covault Distinguished Professor in Veterinary Medicine and the Dr. Roger and Marilyn Mahr Chair in One Health, has received the 2024 Excellence in Research Award from the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. The award honors those who demonstrate excellence in original research, leadership in the scientific community, and exceptional mentoring of trainees and colleagues in any discipline of veterinary medicine.
Kerkove receives graduate scholarship for future nurse leaders
Karla Kerkove, clinical assistant professor in the nursing program, has received one of two 2024 Deborah E. Trautman Future Nurse Leader Scholarships from the Foundation for Academic Nursing, the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). In addition to the financial support, recipients commit to participating in an AACN conference and a professional enrichment experience with Trautman and other nurse leaders during the summer months. Kerkove is in her first year of a Ph.D. program in the College of Nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
