Excellence in Teaching and Support

Behind every successful graduate is a mentor who believes in them. Who’s yours?

Nominate a faculty or staff member who helped support your dreams for special recognition at commencement. They’ll receive a commemorative pin and will be recognized at your commencement ceremony. Rather than a competition, this is simply a chance to recognize someone who made a positive difference in your life. 

Who can nominate?
  • Open to all students graduating in May 2025
  • Each grad can nominate one current faculty or staff member

Submit your nomination

2025 Faculty Honorees

Here are the faculty members who made a lasting impact on our Spring 2025 graduating class, in the words of the students themselves:


Dr. Katherine Grote

"Katherine expects the best out of her students and carries herself with love, openness, and a grounded optimism. She has provided me with a great sum of opportunities, which has allowed me to choose my future path. For that, I am eternally grateful." 

Amber Henslee
Dr. Amber Henslee

"Having Dr. Henslee as an instructor and role model has been invaluable to my development as a future clinician. Her background as a practicing clinical psychologist allows her to cover clinically relevant topics with sensitivity and sophistication, from a multidimensional perspective. Her classes are carefully and intentionally structured to promote critical thinking, problem solving, and ethical consideration. She has challenged my thinking, and her classes have given me much to reflect on as I prepare for matriculation into PA School." 

Douglas Ludlow
Dr. Douglas Ludlow

"Always a friendly face and always wants to do more for students."

Christi Luks
Dr. Christi Luks

"Dr. Luks is an exceptional role model through her unwavering dedication to student success, her commitment to teaching, and her leadership within the engineering community. Unlike many professors who prioritize research, she remains focused on education, ensuring her students have the resources they need to excel. She takes on significant responsibilities within the department, fostering new opportunities and ensuring student success."

Kyle Perry
Dr. Kyle Perry

"Dr. Perry consistently encouraged and mentored me throughout my 8 years of studying under him, providing wise guidance in both my academic and personal life whenever I needed it. He pushed me to develop my own research skills and understanding of my field, and patiently worked to help me overcome the obstacles I faced along the way."

Joan Schuman
Dr. Joan Schuman

"Dr. Schuman led some of the most engaging and enjoyable classes during my degree here at S&T. While she never had an exam in any of them, I retained the most information of any course through the many projects and the collaborative learning environment. Dr. Schuman is one of the most inspirational people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, and she is a role model for all students in how engineers should conduct themselves: held to the highest standards and respectful toward everyone."


Dr. Thomas Schuman

"He is my advisor and has been my professor for many of my courses. He encourages you to do your best and teaches you how to problem solve and critically think in his courses."

Venkata Sriram Siddhardh Nadendla
Dr. Venkata Sriram Siddhardh Nadendla
"His style of teaching is amazing, and the topics he teaches were very interesting and new to me, and I believe they will be very beneficial for me in the future. Moreover, he always considers and helps the students in any situations that might occur."

MIchael Peterson
Dr. Michael Peterson
"Dr. Peterson showed me how impactful someone could be when they inspire you, even when its only for one semester. He helped me find importance in discussion and how to look at something not for its simple practicality but also what it means to use it and why."

Ayodeji Babatunde Alajo
Dr. Ayodeji Babatunde Alajo
"He has celebrated big mile stones with me and has shown compassion and care during my low times. He took the time to congratulate me when I did well and ask me how I was doing when falling behind. I never once felt like just another face in a room. He cares immensely for his students and what he does. He is the best professor I have ever had and one I will never forget.
"

2025 Staff Honorees

Here are the staff members who made a lasting impact on our Spring 2025 graduating class, in the words of the students themselves:

Chyna Howell
Chyna Howell

"Chyna is extraordinarily compassionate, hardworking, and charismatic. She is an exemplary leader and has pushed the Student Success Center and S&T Tutoring through multiple innovative stages, while maintaining its core identity as a safe and welcoming area for both faculty and students. She is a skilled mediator and is very receptive to student feedback, always putting the needs of students first. I am incredibly grateful to have had her as a manager and a role model, and to have done my part in upholding her vision for S&T Tutoring."

James Slone
James Slone

"He is always helpful and kind to others. He tries to help everyone even if it is not his job to do so, he still tries to figure out a way to help. He spreads kindness and laughter all around him too!"

Kevin Walkup
Kevin Walkup
"Kevin Walkup leads the way in the world of academic advising. Kevin sets a high standard for his students and because the students have such a respect for him they follow it. He is always willing to talk and smile with the students and make sure we know just how much he appreciated us."