VCU announces recipients of 2025 faculty awards for scholarship, teaching excellence

By VCU News staff

Virginia Commonwealth University today announced the 2025 recipients of VCU's National/International Recognition Awards (NIRA) and the Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Awards (EPIA). The honors recognize faculty members who embody the university's commitment to excellence and bring vision, rigor and heart to their work, shaping lives and advancing knowledge in ways that reach far beyond VCU.

"At Virginia Commonwealth University, our faculty are the catalysts of discovery, innovation and student success. Their expertise and dedication fuel a university that is both deeply connected to its community and recognized across the nation and around the world," said Beverly J. Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

"These distinguished colleagues have advanced knowledge, inspired students and strengthened the very foundation of our academic mission," she said. "I invite you to join me in congratulating them, and in celebrating the vital role faculty play in the growth, excellence and reputation of our university."

2025 NIRA Recipients

National/International Recognition Awards

The National/International Recognition Awards (NIRA) honor faculty whose scholarship has earned acclaim across borders and disciplines through groundbreaking research, global partnerships and leadership in their fields, elevating both their own profile and VCU's reputation on the global stage.

College of Engineering

• Kosta Damevski, professor, Department of Computer Science
• Lukasz Kurgan, professor, Department of Computer Science
• John Speich, professor, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering

College of Humanities and Sciences

• Mar Davis, professor, School of World Studies
• Adam Ewing, associate professor, Department of African American Studies
• Nicholas Frankel, professor, Department of English
• Brian Fuglestad, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry
• Christopher Gough, professor, School of Life Sciences and Sustainability
• Ann Haynos, assistant professor, Department of Psychology
• Catherine Hulshof De La Pena, associate professor, School of Life Sciences and Sustainability
• Ka Un Lao, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry
• Gabriela León-Pérez, assistant professor, Department of Sociology
• Oswaldo Moreno, associate professor, Department of Psychology
• Brooke Newman, associate professor, Department of History
• Jason Reed, professor, Department of Physics
• Baobao Song, associate professor, Richard T. Robertson School of Communication
• Ihsan Topaloglu, associate professor, Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
• Brian Verrelli, professor, School of Life Sciences and Sustainability
• Chelsea Williams, associate professor, Department of Psychology

School of the Arts

• Nicole Killian, associate professor, Department of Graphic Design
• Jeremy Toussaint-Baptiste, assistant professor, Department of Sculpture and Extended Media

School of Business

• Mayoor (Max) Mohan, professor, Department of Marketing and Dean's Office
• César Zamudio, associate professor, Department of Marketing

School of Education

• Andrene Castro, associate professor, Department of Educational Leadership
• Daniel Gutierrez, professor, Department of Counseling and Special Education
• Jennifer LoCasale-Crouch, associate professor, Department of Foundations of Education
• Kamden Strunk, professor, Department of Foundations of Education
• Yaoying Xu, professor, Department of Counseling and Special Education

School of Nursing

• Lana Sargent, associate professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

School of Pharmacy

• Yana Cen, associate professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry

2025 EPIA Recipients

Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Awards

The Excellence in Pedagogical Innovation Awards (EPIA) affirm our belief that innovation in the classroom is foundational to academic excellence and celebrate faculty who are transforming the learning experience - those who bring bold, student-centered approaches to teaching, curriculum design and accessible pedagogy. These honorees are shaping the future of education at VCU, often leading with creativity, compassion and a deep understanding of how students learn.

College of Health Professions

• Kerry Mader, assistant professor, Department of Occupational Therapy

College of Humanities and Sciences

• Richard Bargdill, associate professor, Department of Psychology
• Christopher Burdett, associate professor, Department of Political Science
• Tara Bray, associate professor, Department of Focused Inquiry
• Frank Faries, assistant professor, Department of Philosophy
• James Fritz, associate professor, Department of Philosophy
• Rebecca Gibson, assistant professor, School of World Studies
• Frankie Mastrangelo, assistant professor, Department of Sociology
• Kamilia Rahmouni, assistant professor, School of World Studies
• Matthew Scott, associate professor, Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences
• Joshua Smith, assistant professor, Richard T. Robertson School of Communication

1. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

• Robert Bradford Lehmann, assistant professor, Department of Criminal Justice

School of the Arts

• Sterling Hundley, professor, Department of Communication Arts
• John Freyer, associate professor, Department of Photography and Film
• Emily Smith, assistant professor, Department of Interior Design

School of Business

• Maurice Brown, assistant professor, Department of Business Essentials
• Michael McGarry, assistant professor, Department of Information Systems
• Elena Olsen, associate professor, Department of Information Systems

School of Education

• T'Airra Belcher, associate professor, Department of Counseling and Special Education
• Kim Bridges, associate professor, Department of Educational Leadership
• Meera Mehtaji, associate professor, Department of Counseling and Special Education
• Dave Saavedra, assistant professor, Department of Foundations of Education
• Lisa Cipoletti, associate professor, Department of Teaching and Learning

School of Nursing

• Kimberly Davis, assistant professor, Department of Family and Community Health Nursing

School of Pharmacy

• Leigh Anne Hylton Gravatt, associate professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science

These honorees will be recognized at the Faculty Recognition Gala on the evening of Oct. 21 - a celebration of the bold ideas, collaborative spirit and transformative impact that define VCU's faculty.