Regents recognize Faculty and Staff of the Year from state universities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 16, 2026
Regents recognize Faculty and Staff of the Year from state universities
(Topeka, Kan.) - The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) today recognized 19 Faculty of the Year and seven Staff of the Year award recipients for 2026. This program recognizes the outstanding contributions of faculty and staff at state universities to teaching, student success, research, institutional excellence and Kansas communities.
“The Regents are excited to honor the exceptional faculty and staff recognized in 2026,” said KBOR Chair Alysia Johnston. “Faculty inspire students, advance discovery and contribute to innovation that strengthens our economy and communities. Staff bring leadership, dedication and essential support to our state universities every day. The winners of the 2026 awards provide exemplary service to students and to our state, and I’m grateful they choose to apply their talents and passion at our state universities.”
2026 Faculty of the Year
| Institution | Tenured Faculty | Tenure Track Faculty | Non-Tenure Track Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emporia State University | Dr. Rachel Spaulding, Associate Professor, English & Modern Languages | Dr. Amanda Hovious, Assistant Professor, Library & Information Management | Kale Stewart, Assistant Teaching Professor, Glass |
| Fort Hays State University | Dr. Gordon Carlson, Professor, Informatics | Dr. Susan Dumler, Assistant Professor, Applied Technology | Latisha Haag, Instructor, Communication Studies |
| Kansas State University | Dr. Jurgen A. Richt, Regents Distinguished Professor, Diagnostic Medicine/ Pathobiology | Andrew Sneed, Assistant Professor, Architectural Engineering and Construction Science | Brandon Savage, Advanced Instructor, Management |
| Pittsburg State University | Dr. Laura Covert-Miller, Professor, Recreation & Therapeutic Recreation | Dr. Alessandro Martins, Assistant Professor, Chemistry | Dr. Jamie Phelps, Assistant Instructional Professor, Biology |
| University of Kansas | Dr. Jeffrey A. Hall, Professor and Chair, Communication Studies | No nomination | No nomination |
| University of Kansas Medical Center | Dr. Douglas Wright, Professor & Vice Chair, Research Department of Anesthesiology, Pain, and Perioperative Medicine | Dr. E. (Alice) Zhang, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Education | Dr. Jessica Hamilton, Clinical Associate Professor, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences |
| Wichita State University | Dr. Suresh Keshavanarayana, Professor and Chair, Aerospace Engineering | Dr. Imran Musaji, Assistant Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders | Dr. Amy Drassen Ham, Clinical Professor, Public Health Sciences |
2026 Staff of the Year
| Institution | Staff Awardee |
|---|---|
| Emporia State University | Damian Gutierrez, Assistant Grounds Supervisor |
| Fort Hays State University | Lacey Wegner, Library Manager |
| Kansas State University | David Brown, Director of Payroll |
| Pittsburg State University | Alexander (Alex) Beach, Facility Operations – Recycling Services |
| University of Kansas | Yuki Watanabe, Assistant Director of International Support Services |
| University of Kansas Medical Center | A.J. Woodworth, Director of Projects & Planning |
| Wichita State University | Debra Franklin, Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Industry Engagement |
Kansas Board of Regents Faculty of the Year nominees are selected by the faculty senates at the state universities and awarded by the Regents. Each faculty senate may submit a tenured faculty member, a tenure-track faculty member and a non-tenure track faculty member. Staff of the Year nominees are selected by the staff senates at the state universities and awarded by the Regents. Each staff senate may submit a nominee to the Board.
For more information, please contact Matt Keith at (785) 430-4237 or
###
About the Kansas Board of Regents
The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state’s six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state’s 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state’s student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
