College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Humanities (CASSH)

CASSH Faculty Recognition of Excellence, Community Engagement

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science & Public Administration

Dr. Chergosky's clear commitment to community engagement and the Wisconsin Idea is demonstrated through his more than 500 media interviews with news outlets ranging from local to national to international, the 21 political debates and forums he has moderated, and the 16 public speaking engagements in which he has participated, the courses he teaches, and more. All of this speaks to his dedication to encouraging people to reflect on how they can contribute to the continuation and strengthening of democracy in the United States.

CASSH Faculty Recognition of Excellence, Service

Associate Professor, History

Dr. Hardy has excelled in all facets of service to the department, college, university, and to the larger field of the history of science. Moreover, Dr. Hardy has undertaken leadership roles in each.

CASSH Faculty Recognition of Excellence, Teaching

Associate Professor, Department of Art

Dr. Rooney is a skilled and compassionate educator committed to anti-racist teaching, socially-engaged inclusive curriculum, community engagement, and a positive classroom climate for all students.

CASSH Faculty Recognition of Excellence, Inclusive Excellence

Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

Dr. Thakkar has established a research program which investigates the neural and perceptual mechanisms of hearing to improve overall health outcomes for individuals with cochlear implants.

CASSH Excellence Award for Community Research/Creative Endeavors

Associate Professor, Department of English

Dr. Zamparutti has maintained an incredibly impressive program of scholarship that has resulted in seven peer-reviewed articles, two published book chapters and twelve national or international presentations. In addition, Dr. Zamparutti is currently at work on a co-edited article, “Trans at Risk, Not as Risk: Overriding Asystasis” and a book project, Monument in Motu: Positionality and Popularity of a Fascist Memorial, which recently received a contract from Lexington Books and is scheduled to published in 2025. She has fostered a strong professional partnership with colleagues at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) that raises the profile of both the English department and UWL internationally. Dr. Zamparutti’s scholarship encourages “critical engagement with global dynamics and systems,” reinforcing CASSH’s strategic commitments to internationalization and global citizenship (Strategic Plan 2021).

CASSH Academic Staff Recognition of Excellence, Service

Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Philosophy

Dr. Eskew engages in sustained, dynamic, and exemplary service at all levels. His diverse contributions have clearly led to the improvement of our department, college, and university.

CASSH Academic Staff Recognition of Excellence, Service

Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Race, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

Dr. Illahe is one of the most dedicated colleagues I've ever had the pleasure to work with. She is the first to volunteer and is a leading voice for more equitable teaching and service practices.

CASSH Academic Staff Recognition of Excellence, Teaching

Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Psychology

Jessica has been a member of the Psychology department since the fall of 2019, during which time she has quickly emerged as one of our department’s top teachers.

CASSH University Staff Excellence Award

Academic Department Associate, Department of History

The Department of History is unanimous in their gratitude for the privilege of a colleague that excels in all facets of her job, and in her desire to contribute to a positive work environment.

Friend of the College Award

Douglas Geiger

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology

Sabrina is a leader and role model who served as a teaching assistant and student field laboratory manager, obtained research grant funding, and excelled in collaborative, community-engaged learning.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Archaeology and Anthropology

Sidney is a stellar student! Her research with working students gives us insight on the struggles many of our students face, and demonstrates how anthropology can help solve real-world problems.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Art

Ellen’s inquisitive drive and leadership are exemplified in her work on the AIDS Memorial Quilt Exhibition and service as student ArtsFest Coordinator. She is a valued member of UWL’s arts community.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Art

Marlie’s accomplishments include developing curricular materials for local projects Mason Jars & Moleskins and Hear, Here, and two accepted works in a national printmaking exhibition in Houston, TX.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Communication Studies

Marti is an exceptional, engaged student. She is third-year PSC tutor, presented on a panel for Social Justice Week, and blends her passion for public advocacy with her commitment to public health.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Communication Studies

Sophie personifies excellence-she is curious, dedicated, and engaged. She has been accepted to grad school, where she will advocate for student success and structures of empathy in the university. 

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Communication Studies

Kaytlin is a fantastic student, outstanding writer, and critical thinker. She pursues projects that are thoughtful and socially relevant, providing novel insights on femininity. She is exceptional.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of English

Annika has served as our department's Hyde intern since Spring 2021, and in that time she completed the following projects:

* researched, wrote, and designed a public tribute website to honor William J. Hyde, our faculty emeritus whose $1.1 million donation the department received in 2021;

* conducted detailed research on humanities majors, promoting the undergraduate study of English, and created videos, presentations, and research archives to share her findings;

* researched and presented the feasibility of a sportswriting microcredential in English to the department's Recruitment, Retention and Public Relations committee.

These are all in addition to the day-to-day expectations of her job. Annika's professionalism, brilliance, and warm personality have made her a fixture of the department and an ambassador for the English department. We have been so fortunate to have worked with Annika these past three years, and can't wait to see what she does next: Annika truly embodies the notion that English majors can do anything.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence, English

Maddie is an outstanding student: she is charismatic, deeply curious, and passionate about the law. Unlike many other students, Maddie has known exactly what she wants to do from the moment she arrived on campus, and she has been relentless in pursuing this goal. She has made every decision--what to major in, what classes to take, which instructors to work with, what extracurricular work to pick up--with the end goal of law school in mind. Maddie possesses a keen desire to inspire others with the same love of reading that has infused her undergraduate work.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Global Cultures & Languages

Noelle represents the ideal global citizen of the 21st century, one that uses her foreign language and intercultural skills in the multicultural place and fosters greater understanding across peoples

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Global Cultures & Languages

We celebrate Liv’s commitment to social justice language teaching, passion for inclusive education, and service as an advocate for adults and children with disabilities in our local community.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Global Cultures & Languages

Bri Whitt is currently a senior at UWL majoring in general studies, with a Chinese studies minor. In the year of 2022, Bri participated in the Wisconsin Chinese Language Speech Contest and was awarded first place. She was also awarded with the Excellence in Chinese Learning Award from WACLT (Wisconsin Association of Chinese Language Teachers) in the same year. In Spring 2023, she was granted membership of the National Collegiate Chinese Honor Society.  She worked with other lower-level Chinese students in 2023 to help them practice Chinese outside of class. In addition to her passion for the Chinese language, Bri has also been passionately involved in Chinese culture. As the president of the Chinese Culture Club, she has organized bi-weekly meetings with activities to give other students more experience with Chinese culture. She will complete her college life with a study abroad program in China this summer.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence, Department of History

In addition to his outstanding work as a student and Teacher Candidate, Riley has served as a tutor for the Department of History since 2022.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Philosophy

One faculty member writes:  "she is one of the best students I've taught."   Whether in online or face to face classes, her excellent contributions always improves the work of her classmates.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Political Science & Public Administration

Ms. Hameister’s service as a representative on the City of La Crosse Common Council and myriad commissions, as well as within the campus community on Student Association, epitomizes what we hope of a Public Administration major. She deftly balanced this impressive service with her academic pursuits, to include undergraduate honors research.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Political Science and Public Administration

Grace is outstanding student both inside and outside the classroom. She is the director of sustainability for UWL's Student Association, and chaired the Green Advisory Committee, a student-led sustainability committee. With a major in Political Science and minors in Environmental Studies and Professional and Technical Writing, Grace also made a large impact in the community through her work as a Development Fellow with WisCorps and The Nature Place.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Psychology

Nick Bruder will graduate with his B.S in Psychology in May. In his time at UWL he has worked as an EMT, assisted cancer survivors at the YMCA, volunteered as a first responder, and is the President of the Ski and Snowboard Club. Nick has upheld a 3.98 GPA and conducted his own research project examining cold water facial exposure. He is currently applying to Physician Assistant programs around the country.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Psychology

Maren Hale will graduate with her B.S. in Psychology in May with highest honors (3.93 GPA). She minored in Sociology and Criminal Justice. During her undergraduate career, she completed her internship at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater La Crosse and was recognized as one of the university's top interns. She presented her experience at UWL’s 2024 Internship Showcase. After graduation, she will complete her social work certification and continue working with at-risk youth.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Psychology

Abigale Hartwig will graduate with her B.S. in Psychology in May. At UWL, she engaged in multiple research projects, tutored for the MLC, and was both a Research Assistant and a Teaching Assistant. For her honors project, she focused on finding a relationship between disordered eating tendencies and friendship dynamics. Moreover, as an RA, she developed a performative activism scale. She is taking a gap year before she pursues a PhD in Clinical Psychology.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Psychology

Mikayla Kurzinski will graduate with honors in May with her B.S. in Psychology and minors in neuroscience and criminal justice. Throughout her undergraduate career, she completed an internship at a behavioral health clinic with a licensed clinical social worker and has shadowed professionals in the field of neuroscience. After graduation, Mikayla plans to pursue either graduate studies or legal studies.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Psychology

Araceli Rodriguez will graduate with her B.A. in Psychology and a minor in legal studies in May. She served as president to both the UWL Psychology club and the UWL Psi Chi chapter. She will be continuing her academic journey towards a master's in industrial organizational psychology.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Psychology

Katie Sartori graduated with her Psychology B.S. in December with highest honors (3.94 GPA). During her undergraduate career, she was in the Psychology Honors Program, a TA, a tutor, and an intern. She completed a project examining passenger attitudes based on status and race toward airline employees. This will be published in UWL’s Undergraduate Journal in May. She will attend graduate school in the Fall to obtain a PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Psychology

Jaden Stanelle will graduate with her B.A. in Psychology and Spanish in May. During her undergrad career she developed a research project that examined a mindfulness-based intervention on dispositional mindfulness and mindful smartphone use which she presented at multiple occasions. She also spent a semester studying abroad in Costa Rica to refine her Spanish-skills. She is planning to attend graduate school this fall in a Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Psychology

Breanna Weiland graduated with her B.S. in Psychology in December with highest honors and the runner-up Psychology Department Outstanding Student Award. As an undergraduate, she completed an internship as an Outreach Advocate at New Horizons Domestic Abuse Shelter, worked as a Direct Support Professional at Chileda, and is currently a Youth Mental Health Technician at Innovative Services. Breanna will be completing a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at an undetermined school this fall. 

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Race, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

Katherine is an extraordinary, dedicated, and thoughtful student who has been regarded as a thought leader in every class she has taken with me. She is currently serving as a TA for Dr. Sona Kazemi.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice

While maintaining a 3.9 gpa every term with clear dedication to her academic work, Sophia has interned at both the Milwaukee and the La Crosse Public Defender's Office, aids other students as a Sociology Peer Tutor, and is an accomplished goalie for the UWL women's soccer team.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice

Achieving a 4.0 gpa, Ellie is an exceptional student who inspires both students and faculty. She is a Teaching Assistant for Dr. Bakken's advanced methods course, and is examining how factors related to physical and mental health have changed over 20 years.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Program of Sustainability & Environmental Studies

Blythe puts learning into action as a dedicated co-chair of Students for Sustainability, head of the JCES sub-committee for a pesticide-free campus, and through their extensive community service.

CASSH Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence,
Department of Theatre & Dance

Brodyn has a major in theatre design & technology and minors in stage management & astronomy. He is a a mentor to younger students, and a multi-faceted artist both on campus and throughout La Crosse.