Faculty, staff and students gathered on April 29 in Thurgood Marshall Hall for the annual Celebration of Service. The event 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.
School of Public Policy Dean Gustavo Flores-Macías welcomed attendees, reflecting on the values that shape the School’s work and the role its community plays in carrying that mission forward. “Public policy is, at its core, about people. It’s about the choices we make, the systems we shape and the lives those decisions impact.”
He also emphasized that the event is not only about individual recognition, but about what those contributions represent across the School. “The individuals we will honor have gone above and beyond, but what they represent is something broader. They reflect a culture where excellence and service go hand in hand.”
During the ceremony, twelve award winners were recognized.
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. The Outstanding Service Award was presented to IPL Business Coordinator Sareil Brookins, for her thoughtfulness, reliability and steady presence.
The Champion of Student Success Award recognizes a staff member whose dedication has had a meaningful and lasting impact on students, making a real difference in students’ personal and professional lives. The award was presented to Executive Development Faculty Specialist Michael Horlick, for his dedication, generosity and ability to connect with students.
The Community Builder Award honors an individual who has helped the School advance its commitment to valuing, celebrating and respecting the experiences, perspectives and contributions of all. This year, Chief Access and Success Officer Alana Hackshaw was honored with the award, for creating space for connection and shared learning.
The Outstanding Teaching Award recognizes a faculty member who provides outstanding instruction, innovative teaching methods and course design, and conveys and instills a passion for lifelong learning. The award was presented to Saul I. Stern Professor of Civic Engagement Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz, for bringing complex topics to life in an accessible and meaningful way.
The Research Excellence Award recognizes a faculty member whose work explores new and innovative fields of inquiry, and contributes to a robust and active research agenda at the School. Assistant Professor Juan Pablo Martínez Guzmán was the recipient of the 2026 Research Excellence Award, for his exceptionally strong research year with three articles published in leading journals.
The Beyond the Classroom Award recognizes a student whose public-mindedness reflects the values of the School and has carried their learning in the classroom out into the community, making change at the local, national or global level. The award was given to Nishna Makala for her commitment to using policy and innovation to serve the public good.
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 2026 Innovative Research Award was given to Kasey Vangelov, for her multiple peer reviewed articles published last year, including one in Science.
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. Awards were presented to two this year, Clara Miller (master’s student) for her deep knowledge, responsiveness and initiative, and Emily Dobson (doctoral student) for making complex topics accessible through real-world examples, thoughtful discussions and hands-on activities.
The Dean’s Award recognizes a standout member of the community who, through their efforts and support, 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. This year, the School broke with tradition and awarded two Dean’s Awards.
Director of Executive and Cohort Programs Mike Goodhart was honored with the first Dean’s Award. “Mike invests time in people,” said Flores-Macías. “He shows up for students, faculty and staff with care, thoughtfulness and a genuine commitment to their success.”
Professor Susan Parker was honored with the second Dean’s Award. “She is a deeply committed teacher and mentor, investing significant time in graduate and doctoral students and helping to guide the next generation of scholars,” said Flores-Macías.
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 Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Professor Philip Joyce. “Since joining the University of Maryland in 2011, Phil has established himself as one of the leading voices in public budgeting and financial management,” said Flores-Macías. “Across every dimension of his career—scholarship, teaching and service—Phil has helped build and sustain excellence.”
Congratulations to our award winners.