Championing Excellence

Aaron Barnes

Gerald L. & Jacqueline W. Nicholas Research Excellence Award

“Winning the Nicholas Research Excellence Award is a tremendous honor. I am deeply grateful to the Nicholas family and the college for continuing to support, recognize, and reward high-quality research.“

Elizabeth Munnich

Gerald L. & Jacqueline W. Nicholas Research Excellence Award

“I work with an amazing group of researchers at the CoB, so I’m incredibly honored to receive this award. The academic publication process can be slow and uneven, and I’ve certainly had my share of years where none of my papers “hit” in top journals (or sometimes in any journals!). It’s very rewarding when patience and persistence pay off, and I’m grateful for support from colleagues and the college through the entire process.“

Katina Kulow

Graduate Teaching Award

“I’m truly honored to receive the 2024 Faculty Excellence Award for Graduate Teaching at UofL. Teaching graduate students here has been, without a doubt, one of the most rewarding parts of my work as a marketing professor. I feel really lucky not only to work with such bright, curious and driven students but also to learn from them. Their fresh ideas and real dedication bring energy to every class. Their engagement and willingness to push boundaries create a collaborative environment where we all learn and grow together. It’s this shared passion for learning that makes teaching so meaningful, and I’m grateful to be part of such a fantastic graduate community.“

Kristen Lucas

Jane Goldstein Faculty Award for Service & Collegiality

“As faculty members, we often talk about our role as being a “three-legged stool” of research, teaching, and service. And while service usually gets far less attention than research and teaching, it is vitally important. Without the third leg, the stool wouldn’t stay upright. That is why it is such an honor—and such a delightful surprise—to receive the Jane Goldstein Award for Service and Collegiality and to join a decades-long list of colleagues who have earned this recognition before me.”

Saurav Chakraborty

Overall Faculty Excellence

“I feel truly honored and grateful to receive the College of Business Outstanding Faculty award for 2024–25. As a junior faculty member, being recognized in this way is both sincerely humbling and incredibly motivating. It is rewarding to know that peers have acknowledged the efforts I’ve put into teaching, research and service. It’s a privilege to work among such an accomplished and supportive group of colleagues whose work sets a high standard. This recognition not only affirms the path I’ve chosen but also inspires me to continue pushing boundaries, mentoring students with greater dedication, and contributing meaningfully to scholarship and institutional growth. It’s a privilege to be part of a community that values excellence, and this award encourages me to aim even higher in the years ahead.“

Mina Kwon

Undergraduate Teaching Award

“I am truly honored to receive the College of Business Undergraduate Teaching Award. It’s rewarding to know that my efforts are having a meaningful impact on the students. This recognition reflects the outstanding students I’ve had the privilege to teach and the supportive community that I’m grateful for.”

Hilda Carrillo

Undergraduate Teaching Award

“I never set out to win awards, so this award came as a pleasant surprise. Every decision I make in the classroom is driven by one goal: to provide students with a meaningful, valuable experience that prepares them for the demands of the real world. Having spent many years in the corporate world before entering academia, I feel a deep responsibility to ensure students walk away with more than just theory. When I became a college professor, I promised myself I would never treat teaching as just a checkbox. Instead, I would challenge students with purpose, structure my courses with intention and always connect what we do in the classroom to the realities they’ll face outside of it. Receiving this award is an incredible honor, but more than anything, it affirms that my colleagues notice and value the work I pour into my students!“

Christie Leigh Wells

Adjunct Teaching Award

Tracy Dunaway

Staff Excellence Award

“I feel very blessed to be a recipient of the 2024 Staff Excellence Award from among so many deserving staff in the college. I am thankful for the kind and caring support from colleagues and friends, and appreciate the college’s dedication to encourage all who work here.”

Katherine Haynes

Staff Excellence Award

“When I heard my name, I wasn’t expecting it.  I was pleasantly surprised, but I soon realized that I wanted to thank everyone who voted for me.  My dilemma at that time was that I had no idea who voted for me, therefore; I would like to take this time to thank everyone for trusting me to support them in their endeavors to help the University educate and guide students in their roles as department chairs and directors, deans, faculty and instructors, administrators and staff.  It has been wonderful to serve in this capacity.”