Southern Connecticut State University hosted its annual Promotion & Tenure and Celebration of Excellence event on November 14, 2024, honoring the exceptional achievements of its faculty in teaching, research, and service. Held in the Adanti Student Center Ballroom, the event recognized milestones that reflect the university’s deep commitment to academic excellence.
Interim Provost Dr. Julia Irwin opened the ceremony, expressing gratitude to the Promotion & Tenure Committee, chaired by Dr. Troy Paddock, and the committee members for their dedication. “To achieve promotion and tenure takes not only talent and hard work but also a commitment to advancing Southern’s mission,” said Irwin.
Faculty promotion and tenure decisions are guided by a comprehensive process outlined in the university’s Promotion and Tenure Procedures document. Candidates are evaluated based on criteria established in the Collective Bargaining Agreement and Faculty Senate guidelines, with a focus on teaching effectiveness, scholarly activity, service to the university, and professional development. The process involves a detailed review of each candidate’s qualifications, contributions, and a formal interview, culminating in thorough deliberations by the Promotion and Tenure Committee to ensure fair and informed recommendations.
Click here for photos. See below for the full list of honorees:
Tenure
- Dr. Patricia Bode (Art and Design)
- Dr. Mary Boudreaux (Educational Leadership and Policy Studies)
- Dr. Dana Casetti (Physics)
- Dr. Lisa Haylon (Accounting)
- Dr. Shuei Kozu (Social Work)
- Dr. Yue Liu (Marketing)
- Dr. Venezia Michalsen (Sociology)
- Dr. Anuli Njoku (Public Health)
Promotion to Professor
- Dr. Sahar Al Seesi (CSC)
- Dr. Joel Dodson (ENG)
- Dr. Miranda Dunbar (BIO)
- Dr. Evan Finch (PHY)
- Prof. Jodie Gil (JRN)
- Dr. Robert Gregory (HMS)
- Dr. Elizabeth Kalbfleisch (ENG)
- Dr. Maria Krol (NUR)
- Dr. Aukje Lamonica (PCH)
- Dr. Erin Larkin (WLL)
- Dr. Cassi Meyerhoffer (SOC)
- Dr. Anuli Njoku (PCH)
- Dr. Yulei Pang (MAT)
- Dr. Sebastian Perumbilly (MFT)
- Dr. Alison Wall (MGT/IB)
- Dr. Kenneth Walters (PSY)
- Dr. Heather Warner (CMD)
- Dr. Jeffrey Webb (CHE)
- Dr. Sang Yoon (ECO)
- Dr. Han Yu (FIN)
Promotion to Associate Professor and Tenure
- Dr. Owen Biesel (MAT)
- Dr. Meghan Brahm-Gleeson (SPE)
- Dr. KC Councilor (CMSS)
- Dr. Emma Cross (EGMS)
- Dr. Nicholas Fedorchuk (ESC)
- Dr. Jung Hoon Kim (MGT/IB)
- Dr. Younhee Lee (MAT)
- Prof. Douglas Macur (THR)
- Dr. Travis Marn (CLL)
- Dr. Amit Singh (MKT)
Promotion to Associate Professor
Dr. Sarah Benes (HMS)
Promotion to Associate Librarian and Tenure
- Ms. Hayley Battaglia (LIB)
- Mx. Patrick Crowley (LIB)
- Ms. Diana Hellyar (LIB)
Promotion to Librarian
Ms. Lisa Bier (LIB)
Promotion to Coach II
Mr. Robert Eggerling (ATH)
Faculty Special Awards
- Undergraduate Research Assistants – Faculty Award Grants:
- Mx. Patrick Crowley (Library Services)
- Dr. Alaa Sheta (Computer Science)
- Senior-Level Faculty Research Fellowship:
- Prof. Thuan Vu (Art and Design)
- Mid-Level Faculty Research Fellowship:
- Dr. Carmen Coury (History)
- Joan Finn Faculty Research Fellowships:
- Dr. Zara DeLuca (Communication Disorders)
- Dr. Peter Wasiuk (Communication Disorders)
- Board of Regents Teaching Award:
- Dr. Zara DeLuca (Communication Disorders)
- Board of Regents Research Award:
- Dr. Anuli Njoku (Public Health)
- Social Justice Community Award – Outstanding Faculty:
- Prof. Melanie Uribe (Art and Design)
- Faculty Scholar Award:
- Dr. Md Shafaeat Hossain (Computer Science)
- Robert Jirsa Service Award:
- Dr. Helen Marx (Curriculum and Learning)
- Outstanding Academic Advisor Award:
- Dr. JiongDong Pang (Chemistry and Biochemistry)
- J. Philip Smith Award for Outstanding Teaching (Full-Time):
- Dr. William Lunn (Health and Movement Sciences)
- J. Philip Smith Award for Outstanding Teaching (Part-Time):
- Prof. Federico Fiondella (Curriculum and Learning, History)
- Million Dollar Club:
- Dr. Klay Kruczek (Mathematics) – New Inductee
- Dr. Debra Risisky (Public Health) – New Inductee
- Dr. Therese Bennett (Mathematics) – Awardee
