Carson College of Business celebrates faculty, staff, and PhD student success

Washington State University's Carson College of Business honored outstanding faculty, staff, and graduate students at its annual college awards celebration, recognizing excellence in research, teaching, and service.

Outstanding PhD Instructor Award

Md Kamrul Hasan
Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship

Hasan is recognized for his outstanding performance as an instructor of record, demonstrating effectiveness in both student learning and classroom engagement. Teaching a high-impact core course, he earned student evaluation scores above the college average alongside consistently positive written feedback. Students describe him as responsive, supportive, and attentive to individual needs, even within a large classroom setting-reflecting a level of preparation and instructional maturity uncommon for a doctoral student. His ability to foster a strong learning environment while maintaining high academic standards contributes meaningfully to student success. Hasan's performance signals promise as a future faculty member committed to high-quality undergraduate education.

Faculty Teaching Award

Minjoo Kim
Department of Marketing and International Business

Kim is recognized for her strong teaching performance and commitment to experiential learning in the Department of Marketing and International Business. In her Marketing Research course, she uses a client-based model that engages students in designing surveys, collecting and analyzing data using tools like Qualtrics and SPSS, and presenting recommendations to real businesses, including Knead Café & Patisserie and Terracotta in Pullman. This hands-on approach strengthens students' analytical skills while connecting coursework to real-world application. Student feedback highlights her clear structure, supportive classroom environment, and ability to engage students through collaborative projects. Her teaching approach reflects a consistent focus on preparing students for professional success.

Faculty Research Award

George Jiang
Department of Finance and Management Science

Jiang is recognized for his sustained contributions to research in financial economics and his impact on the Carson College's scholarly reputation. His work examines key questions in asset pricing, market information, and investor behavior, contributing to a strong record of publications in high-quality, peer-reviewed journals. Jiang's research has helped elevate the college's visibility within the finance academic community while advancing understanding in his field. In addition to his scholarly output, he supports the research mission of the college through mentorship and collaboration. His body of work reflects a consistent commitment to rigorous, relevant research with broad academic impact.

Rising Star Award - Tenure-Track Faculty

Stephen Lee
Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship

Lee is recognized for his strong performance across research, teaching, and service as an early-career faculty member in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. His research portfolio reflects intellectual leadership through publications and collaborations that extend beyond his doctoral training, alongside a robust pipeline of manuscripts under review and in development. In the classroom, Lee is known for effective, student-centered instruction that emphasizes engagement. He also contributes meaningfully to his department and the broader academic community through mentorship and service. His work reflects a well-rounded commitment to scholarship, teaching, and institutional impact.

Staff Catalyst Award

Kate Cavanaugh
Dean's Office

Cavanaugh is recognized for her behind-the-scenes contributions that strengthen the performance and culture of the Carson College. As an administrative assistant, she has taken on significant responsibility in support of the college's AACSB reporting, developing detailed systems to track and organize complex accreditation data. By learning new tools and refining processes, she has improved efficiency and reliability across a critical area of operations. Her initiative, attention to detail, and problem-solving approach enable faculty, administrators, and staff to focus on their core work. Cavanaugh's contributions reflect the essential role of staff in supporting the college's ongoing success.

Staff Excellence Award

Stacey Smith-Colon
Carson Center for Student Success

Smith-Colon is recognized for her leadership and impact on student success and advising operations within the Carson Center for Student Success. As assistant director for retention and student success, she led the transition to an advising model that contributed to an 89 percent semester-to-semester retention rate for first-year students. She also helped to develop and implement the EDGE program, strengthening academic belonging and persistence among first-generation students. During a period of staffing transition, Smith-Colon assumed responsibility for an advising caseload of more than 200 students to ensure continuity of service. Her work to streamline processes has increased efficiency and consistency across the advising team, reflecting a strong commitment to student support and organizational effectiveness.

Carson Way - Staff of the Year Award

Rachel Jenkins
Dean's Office

Jenkins is recognized for her consistent contributions to building a positive and collaborative environment across the Carson College. As an administrative assistant in the Dean's Office, she plays a key role in organizing events and activities that bring faculty and staff together, strengthening connection and support across the college. She is known for her willingness to assist colleagues across departments, fostering a team-oriented atmosphere and helping ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly. Her approachable demeanor and reliability make her a trusted resource for those around her. Jenkins's work reflects a sustained commitment to collaboration, professionalism, and community within the college.

Carson Way - Staff of the Year Award

Jamie Garlinghouse
Carson Center for Student Success

Garlinghouse is recognized for her sustained contributions to student career readiness and employer engagement within the Carson Center for Student Success. As employer development manager, she provides thoughtful and responsive support to both students and industry partners, helping connect classroom learning with professional opportunity. She has taken initiative to expand these efforts, arranging 25 guest speakers from 17 companies across seven business disciplines in fall 2025 alone to enhance student exposure to real-world perspectives. Her work strengthens employer partnerships while supporting faculty and enriching the student experience. Garlinghouse's contributions reflect a strong commitment to professionalism, collaboration, and student success.