Recognition and Awards

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Recognition and Awards

UCF proudly sponsors several prestigious awards to honor excellence in research, teaching, and mentoring within the graduate student and faculty communities. Each year, the College of Graduate Studies offers these awards as a means to celebrate outstanding contributions made by our graduate students across a variety of categories, while also recognizing the faculty who have gone above and beyond in guiding and mentoring these students. These awards play a crucial role in acknowledging the hard work and dedication of both graduate students and faculty, enhancing the academic journey for students and fostering a culture of excellence within the College of Graduate Studies.

One such award is the Award for Excellence by a Graduate Student Researcher, which recognizes graduate-level research and creative scholarship. This self-nominated award, available during both the spring and fall semesters, provides graduate students with an opportunity to showcase their work and receive recognition for their contributions.

Additionally, each year, the College recognizes the invaluable role of faculty members who have gone above and beyond in mentoring graduate students. The College invites recent alumni and current faculty to nominate those who demonstrate exceptional mentorship in guiding graduate students through both their academic pursuits and professional development.

In the 2023-24 academic year, the College introduced the Award for Outstanding Graduate Creative Work, proposed by the Graduate Student Advisory Council. This award honors the artistic achievements of our graduate community, recognizing original and remarkable creative contributions beyond traditional academic research. The winner of this inaugural award received a certificate and a $1,500 prize, and was celebrated at the University’s Founders Day ceremony.

Through these awards, the College continues to champion excellence in both academic and creative fields, highlighting the contributions that shape our community and advancing the continued success of our graduate students and faculty.

2023-2024 Graduate Awards of Excellence

Award for Outstanding Graduate Creative Work

Njeri Kinuthia, Emerging Media MFA – Studio Art and Design, College of Arts and Humanities.

Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching

Hannah Bevan, Integrative and Conservation Biology PhD, College of Sciences

Award for Excellence by a Graduate Teaching Assistant

Mousam Hossain, Computer Engineering PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Honorable Mention: Katherine Harris, Conservation Biology PhD, College of Sciences

Award for Outstanding Dissertation

Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences Division

Dr. Ce Zheng, Computer Science PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Dissertation: Reconstructing 3D Humans From Visual Data
Mentored by Dr. Chen Chen

Honorable Mention: Dr. Swarnadeep Seth, Physics PhD, College of Sciences
Dissertation: DNA Capture and Translocation Through Nanopore
Mentored by Dr. Aniket Bhattacharya

Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, Business, Fine Arts, and Health Sciences Division

Dr. Corey Seavey, Biomedical Sciences PhD, College of Medicine
Dissertation: Interorganizational Networks and Coordination in Emergency Management: Policy and Practice in Response to Disasters
Mentored by Dr.  Bradley Jay Willenberg

Honorable Mention: Dr. Ratna Okhai, Public Affairs PhD, College of Community Innovation and Education
Dissertation: Interorganizational Networks and Coordination in Emergency Management: Policy and Practice in Response to Disasters
Mentored by Dr. Naim Kapucu

Award for Outstanding Thesis

Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Science, and Life Sciences Division

Tajnuba Hasan, Mechanical Engineering MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Thesis: Control of the Spar-buoy Based Wind Turbine Floating Platform through Mooring Line Actuation
Mentored by Dr. Tuhin Das

Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, Business, Fine Arts, and Health Sciences Division

Jason Pagan, Kinesiology MS, College of Health Professions and Sciences
Thesis: Resistance Training Adaptations in Older Adults Exhibit Task Specificity
Mentored by Dr. Matt S. Stock

Honorable Mention: Cole Taylor, History MA, College of Arts and Humanities
Thesis: The Bishop and the Poet: Theodulf of Orléans and the Carolingian World
Mentored by Dr. Duncan Hardy

Award for Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Doctoral Students

Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematical Science, and Life Sciences

Dr. Ahmad Elshennawy, Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Social Sciences, Humanities, Education, Business, Fine Arts, and Health Sciences

Dr. Robert Dvorak, Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Sciences

Award for Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Postdoctoral Scholars

Tenured or non-tenure earning faculty who are the associate or full level

Dr. Mubarak Shah, Professor, Center for Computer Vision, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching

Dr. Debbie Hahs-Vaughn, Professor, Department of Learning Science and Educational Research
College of Community Innovation and Education

Award for Excellence by a Graduate Student Researcher