UWM honors its best at fall awards

Two dozen faculty and staff of UW-Milwaukee were honored for their distinguished service to the university at the 2024 Employee Excellence Awards ceremony. Chancellor Mark Mone and other speakers praised the winners during a ceremony Wednesday in the ballroom of the UWM Student Union.

The winners are:

Ernest Spaights Plaza Awards

Trudy Turner, distinguished professor of anthropology

Trudy Turner spent her entire professional career at UWM. She arrived as an assistant professor and retired 44 years later as a distinguished professor of anthropology. Her international reputation as a scholar is based on her work in primatology, exploring ecogeographic and interspecific differences in genetics, genomics, and growth and development. She is also known for her work on ethics and gender equity.

Turner has authored over 100 publications, including two books, and has received numerous federal grants, including some from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the Fulbright Foundation. She served as a program director at NSF and is an affiliated faculty member of the Department of Genetics at the University of the Free State in South Africa. She co-founded and co-chaired PEGG, the South African Primatological Society. Turner is the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Primatologist Award from the Midwest Primate Interest Group and the Gabriel Lasker Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to the American Association of Biological Anthropologists.

At UWM, Turner served as chair of the Anthropology Department from 1996-2000. She served on numerous department, college and university committees. She is best known at UWM for her 13 years of service as Secretary of the University. The Secretary of the University’s office provides technical, informational and administrative support to governance activities on campus. Turner was a staunch supporter of faculty rights and the proper implementation of university governance. She frequently offered advice and interpretation of the many faculty policies and procedures and helped facilitate policy development on issues impacting governance. She led her office in providing support and services to governance actors with competence, compassion and neutrality. Through the work of her office, Turner touched many lives on campus.

Turner continues her professional work as editor-in-chief of the American Journal of Biological Anthropology and as treasurer of the International Primatological Society. She is forever grateful to UWM for providing her with a foundation for a career, and for the many wonderful colleagues and friends she found here.

Joan Prince, former vice chancellor of global inclusion and engagement

Joan Prince is a native of Milwaukee and a recipient of four UWM degrees. She was the first African American to hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in Medical Technology and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, with a specialty in flow cytometry and hematology, and a doctoral degree in Medical Science Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

At UWM, Prince served in the inaugural role of vice chancellor of global inclusion and engagement for 21 years, retiring from this role in 2021. During her two decades of service in this role, Prince is credited with the formation of several initiatives to serve all students, staff and the community.

These include the campus-community integration of the Milwaukee Idea initiative, organizing and securing the institution’s nationally recognized Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, and crafting and implementing the inaugural institution-wide Ombuds program. She spearheaded the creation the Diversity in Study Abroad initiative; the Freedom of Expression initiative, which promoted diverse thinking and discussions for all students and staff; the university’s inaugural Global Citizenship program, which placed UWM in the world spotlight on social responsibility initiatives; and the Faculty of Color Mosaic initiative, to promote, increase, promote and retain historically underrepresented faculty. Prince served as the executive lead for the campus’s inaugural professional development diversity programming, and as a gatekeeper and supporter of the African Diaspora Council, Multicultural Centers, Women’s Center, Veterans and LGBTQ center where she funded the first Lavender graduation.

Prince also wrote a book that would document the history and contribution of diverse communities in the university’s story. “Telling our Stories: A History of Diversity at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 1956-2022” will forever serve as an example of her ability to sustain the university’s commitment to equity, inclusiveness and diversity.

During her tenure as the vice chancellor, Prince’s impact and expertise was recognized by her nomination by then-President Barack Obama to the United Nations General Assembly as a public delegate/ambassador in 2012.  In this role, she provided opportunities for UWM students to engage in internships and projects with a focus on global diplomacy.

Douglas C. Stafford, director of the Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery (emeritus)

Douglas Stafford joined UWM in 2011 and served as founding director of the Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery (MIDD) until his retirement in 2021. Over this decade he worked tirelessly to advance MIDD into the enduring centerpiece of interdisciplinary research, education and scientific excellence that it is today. He quickly saw that MIDD needed essential research instrumentation and organized a unique public-private partnership that secured over $4 million to establish a world-class analytical chemistry facility, now named the State-of-the-Art Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory and Research Core (SAILARC) within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, where he served as its executive director.

SAILARC quickly became a cornerstone of MIDD research, and the expert staff Stafford recruited provide unparalleled opportunities for UWM faculty and students across campus to learn, conduct high-level mass spectrometry studies and form collaborations with academic institutions and private industry. Since its formation, over 500 students have been trained using SAILARC instruments, with research included in over 100 PhD and master’s theses. Industry collaborations provided operations support for the core and opened doors for many student internships and future employment.

Stafford also worked to secure several million dollars in grants from the National Institutes of Health and private sources for MIDD researchers, including a Translational Grant program that funded 11 projects where UWM faculty worked collaboratively with local industry partners. His vision for drug discovery infrastructure at UWM included conceiving and advocating for the Kilo Laboratory, a teaching and research facility unique to the region and housed in the new Chemistry Building that will enable new research and collaborations for decades to come based on chemical synthesis using process-scale equipment.

Reaching beyond UWM, Stafford co-founded Bridge-to-Cures Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers financial support, business mentoring and advocacy for new entrepreneurial health care ventures in Wisconsin, notably those arising from academic research.

UWM Advisor of the Year Award

Amanda Soika, director, First-Generation+ Resource Center

Amanda Soika is a first-generation college student who grew up in Southeastern Wisconsin. Amanda has over 15 years of experience working in the field of education within the higher education, K-12, and nonprofit sectors in the City of Milwaukee. In her professional experiences, Soika serves as a support system for students, a sounding board for their future plans and pathways and an advocate for the students she serves. In previous roles at UWM, she has served as an academic advisor for Pathway Advising, the enrollment coordinator for the Honors College and an admissions advisor in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. In June of 2024, Amanda moved into the role of director of the First-Generation+ Resource Center (formerly Inclusive Excellence Center).

UWM Inclusive Excellence Champion Award

Alberto Maldonado, director of the Roberto Hernández Center

Since 2016, Alberto Maldonado has served as director of the Roberto Hernández Center and, in 2023 became the special assistant to the vice chancellor for community empowerment and institutional inclusivity. For over 26 years at UWM, Maldonado’s work has focused on pre-college programs, community outreach, partnership development, multicultural enrollment and student retention.

Maldonado co-leads the Chancellor’s Committee for Hispanic Student Initiatives and has helped create the Bilingual Open House, the Undocumented Student Campus Task Force and the expansion of the RHC Exito Emergency Fund. He also serves on the boards of Carmen Schools and the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee. In 2023, he was elected chair of the Hispanic Serving Initiatives Network of Wisconsin.

Maldonado holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a master’s degree in cultural foundations of community engagement and education from UWM. He is also a graduate of the UWM-Cardinal Stritch Latino Non-Profit Leadership Program and recently completed a national fellowship through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

Joanne Lazirko Award for the Innovative Use of Learning Technologies

Anita Alkhas, associate professor of French

Anita Jon Alkhas, associate professor of French in the Department of Global Studies, is dedicated to creating supportive and engaging learning environments in online, hybrid and face-to-face courses. She focuses on building community, fostering relationships and recognizing each student as an individual. By combining high- and low-tech strategies, such as weekly self-evaluation surveys, exit passwords and targeted feedback, she strives to keep students engaged and connected. To promote student equity, access and success, Alkhas has led a complete curricular redesign of lower-division French courses, which entailed adapting and creating Open Educational Resources that she integrated into Canvas. Since 2002, she has presented seven times with teaching assistants on these approaches at UWM, UW-Madison, and at state and national conferences. Her commitment to making learning accessible and meaningful continues to drive her innovative teaching practices.

UWM University Staff Longterm Service Award

Steve Wilke, supervisor of grounds, Facility Services

Since joining UWM in 2008, Steve Wilke has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to both Facilities Services and the broader university community. His ability to collaborate with multiple departments has earned him widespread respect from his team and colleagues across campus. Under his leadership, the Grounds Department has evolved into a vital resource that is relied upon by the entire campus community.

Wilke has implemented innovative methods and new technologies that have significantly improved the efficiency of snow and ice removal, ensuring a safer campus during the winter. He has fostered a culture where everyone recognizes the importance of maintaining a pristine campus environment, not just for the sake of recruitment, but – most importantly – for the safety and well-being of all. Despite budget cuts and staffing challenges, Wilke has upheld, and in many cases enhanced, service levels across the department. Twice a year, Wilke leads his team in the logistical needs and setup for commencement, supporting thousands of graduates in celebrating their achievements.

UWM University Staff Lifetime Achievement Award

Craig Rafferty, UWM Police

Officer Craig Rafferty has served on the UWM Police force since 1994, where he leads police-community relations. He created the UWM Police Department’s Community Policing team, earning the “Community Policing Award” for six consecutive years. Rafferty regularly presents at the Annual Summit on Black Youths, a workshop that has reached over 4,000 young people statewide, focusing on improving life outcomes.

Since 2004, he’s led UWM’s New Student and Faculty Orientation, delivering engaging presentations to over 2,500 students each summer to ensure they feel safe and supported as they transition to university life.

Rafferty also participates in UWM African Diaspora Council’s annual school supply drive, which has supported underprivileged Milwaukee elementary schools for eight years. Additionally, he has served as Director for District #1 in the Wisconsin Association of Community Oriented Policing and has been a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives for over 20 years.

Bonnie Gonnering, accounts payable manager

Since joining UWM’s Accounts Payable department in 1991, Bonnie Gonnering has embodied UWM’s mission by not only seeking out and acquiring as much knowledge as possible, but also sharing her expertise with others. She’s served as accounts payable manager since 2013, with a constant commitment to providing essential and expert advice on appropriate polices and procedures. Equally important, she strives to do all of this in the timeliest of manners, while jumping in whenever necessary to help solve issues or unexpected problems that crop up during the workday. That’s why Gonnering wins praise from clients and colleagues alike for her unwavering professionalism and exceptional customer service. “Bonnie’s welcoming demeanor and positive attitude have made her a go-to person for faculty and staff members,” wrote one nominator in support of Gonnering’s recognition, “and her influence has been felt campuswide.”

UWM Academic Staff Outstanding Performance & Service Award

Beth Schaefer, chief operating officer and deputy CIO

Beth Schaefer, UWM’s chief operating officer and deputy CIO, has over 25 years of experience in higher education and more than 20 years in leadership roles within information technology. She has contributed to strategic planning, enterprise IT services, central infrastructure, service management and budgetary planning at UWM. Beth’s contributions have usually extended beyond her role, including significant leadership in current initiatives such as the Administrative Transformation Program and the AI Taskforce.

Her extensive service to UWM, including participation in the COVID-19 Crisis Management Team and the UW System CIO Council, exemplifies her dedication to the institution and its mission. She is chair of Itana, an international enterprise architect community, and was a founder of the EDUCAUSE Women in IT group. A recipient of the 2015 EDUCAUSE Community Leadership Award, she also co-developed the EDUCAUSE Management Institute Bootcamp and is a 2008 Frye Leadership Institute Fellow.

UWM Academic Staff Outstanding Teaching Award

Christine Carlson, teaching faculty III

Christine Carlson has been a member of the UWM Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry since 2013, focusing on the instruction of general chemistry.

In addition to teaching three large lectures each semester, Carlson collaborates with other instructors in the department and student advisors to improve student retention and the student experience when taking chemistry courses at UWM. She goes out of her way to learn how students learn best.

Given that the students in the general chemistry sequence spend as much time with graduate teaching assistants as they do with their instructor, Carlson is invested in the instruction of her teaching assistants in new and effective ways to teach, with the ultimate goal to not only ensure that the topics are taught correctly but to also ensure consistency for the students.

Carlson also actively works with the university in recruiting activities. In the last year, she served as a member of the New Directions Freshman Scholarship committee, the Biological Sciences and Chemistry/Biochemistry Preview Day and volunteered for the Natural Sciences Showcase (Fall Welcome event).

Selvakumar Ramakrishnan, senior teaching faculty, Biological Sciences

Selvakumar Ramakrishnan’s fascination with animals led him to earn a master’s degree in zoology at Madras Christian College in India. That work spurred projects to study large mammals in the field and led to a fellowship at the Smithsonian Conservation and Research Center. He then worked to develop his skills in molecular biology, joining Gerald Bergstrom at UWM as a graduate student. Ramakrishnan worked as a post doc at UWM with John Buntin, investigating how neuroendocrine and gene expression patterns orchestrate parental behavior, using avian models. This broad approach has served not only his own curiosity but also has informed his teaching, with more than 15 biology courses over the years. Ramakrishnan emphasizes to all his students that while one needs to master technical skills, never let go of an obsession to learn.

Xianwei Van Harpen, teaching associate professor, Mathematical Sciences

Xianwei Van Harpen teaches mathematics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at UWM. She earned her PhD in mathematics education from the Mathematics Department at Illinois State University. She joined UWM in 2013 and has taught a variety of courses with a focus on mathematics content courses for future elementary and middle school teachers. In her teaching, Van Harpen strives to help students gain deep understanding of mathematics concepts as well as develop a growth mindset for learning. Van Harpen sees each individual student as a whole person with unique talents. As her nominator shared, a former student wrote this: “When I first started as an education major at UWM, I had an English concentration, but after just one semester discovering my interest in math with Van Harpen, I switched my concentration to math.” Van Harpen priorities teaching practices that help build a positive learning environment for all. She also actively seeks professional development and greatly enjoys collaborating with colleagues within and beyond the Universities of Wisconsin.

UWM Faculty Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award

Karolina May-Chu, assistant professor of German

Since joining UWM’s German Program nine years ago, Karolina May-Chu has been actively involved at all levels of our curriculum: developing, redesigning and instructing courses from first-semester German to graduate-level seminars on German film, theater or migration. Her thoughtful approach and innovative pedagogical practices enrich every course, and they ensure a consistent focus on not only training students’ linguistic skills, but also their intercultural competencies, critical inquiry and cultural literacy. As an example, her nominator wrote: “From what had previously been a traditional literary analysis course, Karolina created an interdisciplinary laboratory for student engagement. The course now includes a multiplicity of text forms, including films, graphic novels, short stories, poetry, etc., as well as important and often silenced voices.” May-Chu’s commitment to teaching German is also evident in her many outreach activities, such as fostering connections with local high schools through UWM’s concurrent enrollment initiative.

UWM Faculty Distinguished University Service Award

Kristen Murphy, professor of chemistry

Kristen Murphy has been very active in service, particularly in those areas that serve the instructional mission. She has been on the Academic Program and Curriculum Committee since 2015, serving for nine years and chairing or co-chairing for seven years. Murphy also has served on the Academic Planning and Budget Committee, Academic Policy Committee, Faculty Appeals and Grievances Committee and Faculty Senate. Within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, she has served in many roles with particular pride in developing and supporting the successful chemistry supplemental instruction program. Most recently, Murphy has been involved with the new Chemistry Building, participating in design, planning and operations in her role on the chemistry user group. Finally, she has been active in serving her community – Murphy was recognized in 2023 with induction into the 2023 class of American Chemical Society Fellows (joining about 1,300 out of 170,000 members).

UWM University Staff Outstanding Service in a Single Year Award

Sabrina Fuller Muñiz, administrative assistant III

It was an eventful year for Sabrina Fuller Muñiz, who has served as administrative assistant in the Communication Department since June 2022. She took on similar duties for the Political Science Department after the retirement of a colleague, meaning she was doing double duty to make a pair of administrative trains run on time while also serving on a search and screen committee for a new hire. Beyond that, she published her first journal article with Sarah Riforgiate in the Kentucky Journal of Communication and began her tenure on the University Staff Senate. And in one of the more tangible examples of her service to UWM, Fuller Muñiz created the COMMunity student room in Johnston Hall. It’s designed as a dedicated area for students to increase engagement and community while providing information about on-campus resources and free donated clothing/books. And to cap the busy year, in Spring 2024, she assumed the role of building chair for Holton, Merrill, Johnston and Greene halls, as well as the Greene Museum.

Anne Lamb, program associate

Anne Lamb stepped into her role as a program associate in the Social Work Department in late 2022, and she immediately proved to be a reliable and stabilizing force. Lamb took innovative approaches to revamping and reorganizing the department’s processes and workflows, which quickly impressed her new colleagues. And in addition to approaching her day-to-day duties with an eye for details and efficiency, she became known for being a particularly helpful and kind member of the team. “I heard from many of my colleagues that they appreciated both Anne’s competence and her caring nature,” wrote one nominator in support of Lamb’s recognition. That nature extended to the students the department serves, and she has often identified them as a central pillar of her purpose and satisfaction in the job. Lamb, in turn, is viewed as a crucial part of the department’s mission. “In short,” wrote the nominator, “Anne’s value to our department cannot be overstated.”

UWM Academic Staff Outstanding Performance & Service Award

Shannon Aylesworth, disabilities services director

In just under 25 years with UWM, and as a strong advocate for students with disabilities, Shannon Aylesworth has built a reputation as a mover and a shaker. She is well-known and respected across universities and as UWM’s director of the Accessibility Resource Center. She serves as a member and officer for several on- and off-campus boards and committees. Her current posts include co-chair of UWM’s Chancellor’s Advisory Committee for Campus Accessibility and being a member of the Universities of Wisconsin President’s Advisory Committee on Disability Issues. Aylesworth also has spearheaded several successful projects and partnerships. She’s established the Accessibility and Technology group, a cross-disciplinary network of university professionals, as well as the Universities of Wisconsin Accessibility Community of Practice, a collaborative space for sharing resources.  She was also instrumental in bringing Aira to campus, establishing UWM as Wisconsin’s first university to provide Aira’s on-demand visual interpreting for blind students, staff and visitors.

Leigh Mahlik, academic curator, Emile H Mathis Art Gallery and UWM Art Collection

Since 2017, Leigh Mahlik has served as the curator for the UWM Art Collection and Emile H Mathis Art Gallery, to the benefit of thousands of UWM students, faculty and Milwaukee community members. Throughout her time in the role, she’s created new opportunities for people to engage with original artwork. In her curatorial projects, Mahlik has showcased highlights of the collection and developed didactics to contextualize works by artists such as James McNeil Whistler, Stanley William Hayter and Max Arthur Cohn. By opening the gallery to numerous class visits, object viewings and exhibition tours, Mahlik has integrated accessibility and opportunity into the very mission of the gallery and collection. Moreover, as a mentor, Mahlik has guided dozens of student-curated exhibition projects, supervised and advised undergraduate and graduate interns, and supported countless student projects that employ the gallery and collection. Mahlik has centered object-based learning as a core component to the gallery and collection’s mission, and she’s made these resources invaluable to teaching, learning and research for departments across campus.

UWM Office of Research Outstanding Creative Research Achievement Award

Mike Gibisser, associate professor of Film, Video, Animation and New Genres

Mike Gibisser is a filmmaker and artist interested in navigating the indefinite lines between essay, narrative, experimental and documentary work. Over the past decade, he has completed two narrative features (“Finally, Lillian and Dan” and “World of Facts”) and two feature film essays (“A Common Sequence” and “The Day of Two Noons”), as well as several experimental and nonfiction shorts. He has presented work at numerous festivals around the world, including Sundance, the Toronto International Film Festival, BFI London, Thessaloniki International Documentary Film Festival, the European Media Arts Festival and the New York Film Festival. His work has been featured in Bomb Magazine, Artforum, Variety and Cinemascope, among other publications.

UWM Faculty Distinguished Public Service Award

Anita Jon Alkhas, associate professor of French

Anita Jon Alkhas is a dedicated educator and advocate for language learning. She has made significant contributions on campus, in the local community, and at state, regional and national levels. Alkhas has worked extensively with organizations like the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and the American Association for Teachers of French. She has participated in developing the Wisconsin Language Roadmap and in revising and promoting the Wisconsin Standards for World Languages. She collaborates regularly with K-16 language instructors on advocacy and pedagogy initiatives including UWM French Day, which has brought hundreds of K-12 students to campus. Her efforts were recognized with the 2020 Wisconsin World Language Teacher of the Year award. She remains committed to advocating for equitable access to quality language education and to fostering intercultural competence through innovative language programs.

UWM Office of Research Senior Faculty Award

Alexander “Leggy” Arnold, director of the Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery

Alexander “Leggy” Arnold received his PhD in organic chemistry under Nobel laureate Ben Feringa in 2002. He expanded his knowledge in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of California, San Francisco and together with Kip Guy established the Department of Chemical Biology and Therapeutics at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Arnold quickly advanced as an expert in the field of vitamin D research and developed potent new anti-tumor agents for ovarian cancer and leukemia. He also developed new drug candidates for asthma, atopic dermatitis and overactive blader syndrome targeting GABA(A) receptor exclusively outside the brain. Together with Douglas Stafford, he established Pantherics Inc. in 2017 and became the director of the Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery in 2021. More than a hundred graduate and undergraduate students have been part of the Arnold Group, learning about drug discovery research and continuing on to professional schools, academia and industry.

UWM Research Foundation Senior Faculty Award

Liam Callanan, professor of English

Liam Callanan has been a faculty member since 2005, serving as director of the creative writing program for eight years and English department chair for three. An internationally acclaimed novelist and cultural commentator, he is author of five books, including the national bestseller “Paris by the Book.” Callanan has given well over 100 talks and readings worldwide, including presentations in Beijing, Shanghai, Stockholm, Rome and Paris, and his work has been translated into Italian, French, German, Chinese and Japanese. A previous winner of the Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award, he has taught over 1,000 undergraduates and served on close to 50 doctoral committees, chairing roughly half. He is also the proud captain for 20 years running of the English Department’s indefatigable Panther Prowl team, The Run-Ons.

UWM Office of Research/UWM Foundation Research Award

Habib Rahman

Habib Rahman is the Richard and Joanne Grigg Professor and chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department at UWM. He is also affiliated with the Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering departments and is the founder and director of UWM’s BioRobotics Lab, a leading research facility in assistive and rehabilitation robotics. Rahman’s research focuses on developing rehabilitation and assistive robots to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. His work in telerehabilitation earned him the Switzer Research Distinguished Fellowship in 2023. As a principal investigator, he has secured $3.35 million in grants. Some of his innovations include SREx, a wearable smart robotic exoskeleton for upper limb stroke rehabilitation; mR2A, a wheelchair-mounted multifunctional robotic assistive arm for activities of daily living assistance, and iTbot, a desktop mounted intelligent therapeutic robot for post-stroke telerehabilitation. He has authored over 200 research articles and served as an editor for several esteemed journals.

Xu Li, assistant professor, educational psychology

Xu Li joined UWM in fall of 2019. Since then, he has led an active research program that has resulted in 45 publications (20 of which are first-authored) in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. Among these 45 publications, 28 were completed and published since he joined UWM in 2019. These scholarly contributions have been recognized in his 23 national or institution-level awards, including the Early Career Award of Excellence by APA Division 29 (Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy). Additionally, Li’s contribution to student teaching/training has been well acknowledged. He has received highly positive course evaluations and student feedback. Further, he has been nominated by students for the Faculty Teaching Award for three consecutive years and won this competitive award in the School of Education in 2022. He also won the Teacher Excellence Award by Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at UWM in 2022.

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