Faculty, staff, students and alumni gathered on April 19 at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center for the sixth annual Celebration of Service. The gala celebrates and recognizes the excellence and achievements of the School of Public Policy and our people who have gone above and beyond in the spirit of service. Whether they have made an impact in the classroom, in the School, or in the wider world, we recognize their contributions and share in their success.
A familiar face joined the social hour to mingle with guests, pose for pictures, and bring good luck to the SPP community. Testudo has served as the University of Maryland mascot for more than 90 years.
During the awards ceremony, Malissa Calvin served as emcee for the evening and called certain faculty, staff and students to the podium to present some of the night’s awards. A total of twelve awards were given out.
The Innovative Research award recognizes a student who has shed new light on policy issues and challenges, and has positively contributed to the intellectual community at the School, University, and beyond, and whose research is making significant advances to knowledge and techniques in their field. The 2023 Innovative Research Award was given to Kaifang Luo.
The Research Excellence award recognizes a faculty member who is pushing the boundaries of applied, interdisciplinary research. Through their research work, this individual is positioning the School of Public Policy to explore new and innovative fields of inquiry, and contributing to a robust and active research agenda at the School. Luke Spreen was the recipient of the 2023 Research Excellence Award.
The Outstanding Teaching Award recognizes a faculty member who has made contributions to the teaching and learning mission of the University that are of extraordinary quality. Committed to inspiring and preparing students for their work and life beyond the School, this individual provides outstanding instruction, innovative teaching methods and course design, and conveys and instills a passion for lifelong learning. The Outstanding Teaching Award was presented to Alec Worsnop.
The Excellence in Teaching award recognizes a teaching assistant who has provided an exceptional instructional experience for master’s or undergraduate students, and outstanding support to the faculty instructor. Demonstrating a strong commitment to helping students achieve success, this individual has been instrumental in students’ mastery of policy topics, methods and/or practice. The Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Tamir Green.
The Champion of Student Success award recognizes a staff member who has demonstrated excellence in supporting the School’s students. Committed to helping students to the best of their ability, this staff member has provided exceptional assistance, guidance and inspiration. Through their dedication they have had a meaningful and lasting impact on students, making a real difference in students’ personal and professional lives. The Champion of Student Success award was presented to Ying Yin.
The Community Builder award recognizes a member of the community that has made invaluable contributions to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable School community. As a leader in the School this person has actively advanced the School's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and in doing so, strengthened the sense of community and provided opportunities for learning, understanding, and connection. This year’s Community Builder Award was given to Suha Hassan.
The Outstanding Service award recognizes a staff member who has gone ‘above and beyond’ in serving the School, improving the lives and work of faculty, staff, and students. With a willingness to help in whatever capacity necessary, this staff member positively influences our School and contributes to the success of our entire community. The Outstanding Service Award for 2023 was presented to Monica Chung.
The Beyond the Classroom award recognizes a student (or group of students) that has made a significant positive impact beyond the classroom. Embodying a public-mindedness that reflects the values of the School, this student(s) has carried their learning in the classroom out into the community, making change at the local, national, or global level. The Beyond the Classroom Award was given to Jessica Nguyen.
The Public Impact award recognizes a faculty member committed to the School’s mission of promoting the public good. Embodying the scholar-practitioner approach, this individual has used their academic research and expertise in tangible service of a significant policy challenge at the local, national, or international level. In serving the public good, and reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of these policy challenges, the faculty member has used their research and expertise in cooperation with other actors, and has played a meaningful role in improving policy and promoting the public good. This year’s Public Impact Award was presented to both Ebonie Cooper-Jean and Kisha Monroe.
To close the evening, Dean Robert Orr presented the final two awards – the Lifetime Service Award and the Dean’s Award.
The Lifetime Service Award was designed to recognize contributions of an individual over a sustained period of time in service of the School, whose reputation of excellence and track-record of success have benefitted the School. This year’s award was presented to Megan Campbell, director of strategic communications. Dean Orr remarked, “Megan has been the fearless heart of the School’s communications operation for years, and has been steadfast in her commitment to best represent the School to inside and outside audiences as who we are and the context around us has undergone rapid change. The consummate professional, Megan reaches across the School and University to ensure that the work we all do -- whether teaching, research or service -- is seen and valued by those we seek to attract and inform.”
The Dean’s Award recognizes a standout member of the community who has made exceptional contributions to the life of the School. Through their efforts and support, this individual has allowed the School to achieve excellence in one or more areas, and has furthered the School’s mission to educate, discover and make an impact. In the lead-up to the announcement, Dean Orr characterized this year’s recipient as “a passionate educator and mentor, an unassuming leader and bridge builder, and a colleague par excellence.” Betty Duke, clinical professor and Norman and Florence Brody Professor, was honored with this year’s Dean’s Award.
Dean Orr further described Duke as “a consummate School citizen, never hesitating to take on the work that makes us better. She is a long-time advocate for professional track faculty in the School, and champion of the unique value that scholar-practitioners bring to our education and our work. We are the direct beneficiaries of the skills and expertise she honed over decades in public service, a leader with an innate ability to build consensus among complex issues.”
Congratulations to our award winners.