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

Faculty Recognition of Excellence Award for Research

Dr. Lorena Ochoa Campo | Assistant Professor | Global Cultures & Languages

Dr. Lorena Ochoa Campo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global Cultures & Languages. Her record of scholarly productivity, impact, and sustained momentum represents an exceptional model of pre-tenure research excellence. She has published three peer-reviewed journal articles; two scholarly book chapters; a chapter in a popular book; and a book review. Going forward, Lorena has an accepted peer-reviewed journal article, a submitted book chapter, and a signed book contract.

Lorena’s primary scholarly focus examines representations of motherhood in Latin American and Latinx literature. Her scholarship intersects with her teaching by scaffolding student projects with scholarly and community-based texts. She involves students in inquiry-driven learning that fosters critical thinking, cultural competence, and advanced language proficiency.

Faculty Recognition of Excellence Award for Research

Dr. Melina Packer | Assistant Professor | Race, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

Dr. Melina Packer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She is an active and prolific scholar, whose research activity since arriving at UWL is quite remarkable. Last year alone she published two books and is currently developing a third book, Bred in Captivity: Two Hundred Years of Gender, Race, and Gun Dogs. Melina is also preparing a version of this work for submission to the journal Animal History. 

In addition to many other publications, including a review in one of the top journals in the field of science and technology studies, Melina frequently shares her expertise in interviews, invited talks, and conferences, reaching local, national, and international audiences.

Faculty Recognition of Excellence Award for Service

Josh Doster | Assistant Professor | Art

Josh Doster, Assistant Professor in the Department of Art, is recognized for exceptional service to the department, college, and the broader community. He chaired and served on multiple department committees and has chaired the college’s Scholarship Committee for two years, taking on a substantial workload with care and professionalism.

Josh also created a Friday afternoon foundry workshop open to all students for the rare opportunity to learn metal casting outside of a formal class. Josh’s work with the Rivoli Arts District and the Mid West Music Fest has helped broaden the department’s presence in the community and provide students meaningful visibility for their work.

University Staff Recognition of Excellence Award

Katie Olan | Academic Department Associate | Art

Katie Olan is the Academic Department Associate in the Department of Art. Her role requires her to support 11 full-time faculty and 7 adjunct instructors while managing the needs of 9 studio areas and the University Art Gallery. She embraces her responsibilities with professionalism, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to department success.

What truly sets Katie apart is her deep investment in the department's community and extracurricular initiatives, and she is integral in planning and executing the Visual Arts Classic, which requires extensive coordination with multiple stakeholders.

As one faculty member stated, “It’s hard to summarize everything Katie does for us. In short, she’s the glue that holds the department together.”

Friend of the College Award

Dr. Betsy Morgan | UWL Provost & Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Dr. Betsy Morgan is a steadfast supporter of CASSH throughout her 33-year career at UW-La Crosse, which began in 1993 when she joined the Psychology Department as an Assistant Professor. After rising through the faculty ranks to Professor, she served nearly twelve years as Department Chair and then went on to become the longest-serving Provost at UWL since Carl Wimberly, holding the chief academic officer role for twelve years.

As Provost, she consistently advocated for the liberal arts supporting stable budgets, endorsing new and innovative academic programs, encouraging international experiences, and backing tenure-track faculty hires in CASSH when peer institutions were cutting these programs. Her committed belief and broad advocacy for student success and the broadly educated person, as well as her enduring contributions as a teacher, scholar, and university leader, and her enduring unwavering support for CASSH make her a true Friend of the College.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Meghan Morey | Nominated by the Department of Archaeology & Anthropology

Meghan Morey's exemplary achievements both in and outside the classroom illustrate strong intellectual curiosity, initiative, and commitment to high academic standards. She has a genuine interest in mentorship, which shines through in her experience as a teaching assistant in Introduction to Biological Anthropology and Archaeological Research Methods. 

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Ken Schwartzlow | Nominated by the Department of Archaeology & Anthropology

Ken Schwartzlow is a nontraditional student, returning to school after military and private sector careers. His scholarly work in spatial technologies has made significant contributions to interdisciplinary research projects which combine soil chemistry, drone mapping, and GIS analysis. Faculty also recognize Ken as a leader and mentor to fellow students.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Kylie Stockton | Nominated by the Department of Art

Kylie Stockton is a dedicated and talented student who excels in her art making and coursework while balancing the demands of being a student‑athlete. Her creativity, discipline, and professionalism make her stand out as both an artist and a scholar. Kylie's work is featured in the 2026 UWL Senior Art Student Exhibition.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Breielle Thompson | Nominated by the Department of Art

Breielle is an accomplished and committed artist and teacher. Since her first year, she has served on the SoE Dean’s Student Advisory Council—a significant commitment and honor. Breielle is a very involved student working as a studio assistant and a gallery assistant in the Art Department and as a student coordinator for SoE open house events.  

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Cassidy Rae Link | Nominated by the Department of Communication Studies

Cassidy Rae Link thoughtfully advocates in her communication studies courses. Her high-quality work reflectively engages with class materials from across the major. On campus, Cassidy applies her communication studies skills to teaching group fitness cycling classes at the UWL Rec and works as a scholarship researcher at UWL’s Scholarship Resource Center.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Karissa Schmit | Nominated by the Department of Communication Studies

Karissa is an enthusiastic leader. At the Public Speaking Center, she helped students feel more confident about public speaking. As the Public Speaking Center's social media manager and creative director, she created effective digital promotional materials. She was also a community relations intern for the La Crosse Loggers & Steam and managed 46 nonprofit fundraising events.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Sherlyn Veliz | Nominated by the Department of Communication Studies

Sherlyn leads in a variety of spaces. She offers meaningful contributions to class discussions and applies her media studies expertise as social media creator for the Office of Multicultural Student Services and as photography assistant at University Communication & Marketing. Sherilyn also works part-time as an interpreter for multiple local school districts for families at conferences and registration.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Paige Broker | Nominated by the Department of English

Paige is currently the assistant director of the UWL Writing Center after 3 years as a tutor. She has moderated a university symposium and is at work on an anthology, forthcoming in summer 2026, that will publish 10 essays from her English seminar. Paige has also been a double-blind peer reviewer of undergraduate scholarship for Young Scholars in Writing.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Kaden Steckbauer | Nominated by the Department of English

Kaden has made an incredible impact not just on the English Department, but on the community. While holding a 3.9 GPA, he served as a YMCA program staff lead, as a Special Olympics basketball coach, and as a social emotional learning specialist and Teen Center director for the Boys & Girls Club. He was also the English Department's representative to the Dean's Student Advisory Council.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Aiden Benbrooks | Nominated by the Department of Global Cultures & Languages

Aiden’s enthusiasm for language learning and teaching, his commitment to culturally-responsive pedagogy, and his service as a multilingual advocate in our local community are admirable. His creativity, academic curiosity, and contagious positive attitude truly inspire those fortunate enough to work with him.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Emma Heller | Nominated by the Department of Global Cultures & Languages

Emma has consistently demonstrated dedication to developing her skills as a language learner and educator. She has experience as a pre-service teacher in local schools, international experience studying abroad in Spain and Puerto Rico, and experience with community organizations focused on serving individuals of all backgrounds and abilities.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Kaleigh Kunkel | Nominated by the Department of Global Cultures & Languages

Kaleigh is deeply committed to service and bilingual citizenship. She understands how language access shapes people’s lives and uses her Spanish to support and empower others. She is planning to attend graduate school for Spanish at the University of Illinois, with the goal of becoming a professor committed to civic engagement and multilingual education.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Gilbert Marquez | Nominated by the Department of Global Cultures & Languages

Gilbert has a deep love for languages and cultures. He earned the Seal of Biliteracy Certificate in Chinese and English in just three semesters of Chinese studies and continues striving for advanced proficiency. As the Chinese Cultural Club chair, he inspires others through leadership, collaboration, and joyful engagement with Chinese culture.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Isabella Pahl | Nominated by the Department of Global Cultures & Languages and the Department of History

From the Department of Global Cultures & Languages: Isabella’s academic excellence truly stands out. She demonstrates an exceptional ability to synthesize ideas across disciplines, from projects examining how archaeology and environmental studies reshape the cultural meaning of the Verdun forest to original research reexamining the cultural legacy of an eighteenth-century painter.

From the Department of History: Isabella is an excellent liberal arts ambassador whose undergraduate experiences include internships, volunteer activities at regional museums, and extensive work in grant writing, language study, and public history. Isabella has also presented her work, which is the product of two Undergraduate Research & Creativity Grants.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Anthony Buss | Nominated by the Department of History

Anthony has a strong ability to work with different types of evidence to explain how long-term economic and cultural change occurs. He uses feedback and student performance data to improve his teaching strategies. Anthony demonstrates a deep intellectual curiosity, strong ethics and character, and will make a strong contribution to our community and region.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Joshua Schulze-Reimpell | Nominated by the Department of Philosophy and the Department of Psychology

From the Department of Philosophy: Joshua is a gifted honors-level philosopher who excels in all his philosophy courses and serves as an ambassador for the Philosophy Department through the Philosophy Club and tutoring. He is curious, rigorous, and clear in his analysis of subtle problems. His humor and kindness put others at ease, and he is a joy to engage in philosophical talk.

From the Department of Psychology: Joshua conducted research in cognitive psychology, including a study reporting a novel weight illusion currently under review at Psi Chi Journal. He also served as vice president of the Philosophy Club and led Bridging the Divide, a campus dialogue series.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Ethan Fitzgerald | Nominated by the Department of Political Science & Public Administration

Ethan possesses an exemplary academic record, including an honors research project. His public service dedication is clear from his Student Senate and ROTC leadership, including a Ranger Challenge win, and his internships at the Public Defender's Office and City Planning Department.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Emma Wittman | Nominated by the Department of Political Science & Public Administration

Emma demonstrates excellence through her outstanding leadership and academic achievements. As president of the Student Association, she has represented UWL students with integrity, and as a McNair Scholar, she has proven to be an exceptional researcher, receiving awards and recognition for her original scholarship.  

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Brooke Axelson | Nominated by the Department of Psychology and the Department of Race, Gender, & Sexuality Studies

From the Department of Psychology: Brooke completed an honors project examining how personality influences perceptions of ableist and racist microaggressions and their bystander behavior. Moving forward, she has been accepted into and will attend a doctoral program in clinical psychology.

From the Department of Race, Gender, & Sexuality Studies: Brooke is a passionate scholar-activist whose passion lies in making a difference in the community. She volunteers her time and labor across the community at multiple not-for-profit organizations that serve disenfranchised and marginalized populations. She will be seeking her doctoral degree in clinical psychology in the fall.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Sara Botova | Nominated by the Department of Psychology

Sara worked as a biology tutor in the Murphy Library and conducted research on treatment-resistant glioblastoma cells. She also has professional healthcare experience as a certified nursing assistant. Sara will continue her education at UW-La Crosse to earn a master of science in physician assistant studies.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Shakira Brockhaus | Nominated by the Department of Psychology

Shakira conducted research under the Eagle Apprenticeship Scholarship and developed a project investigating face perception of AI-generated images, with presentations at the UWL Research & Creativity Symposium and the Midwestern Psychological Association conference. She has contributed to additional projects in the Vision Science Lab and is a statistics tutor on campus.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Lian Lewis | Nominated by the Department of Psychology

Lian is the lab manager for the Cognitive Hearing and Devices Lab. Her honors project investigated captioning, lecture difficulty, comprehension, and cognitive load, which she recently presented at Research in the Rotunda. Lian is also a psychology teaching assistant and has served as secretary for Hmong Organization Promoting Education.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Justin Paulson | Nominated by the Psychology Department

Justin is conducting an honors project exploring how social primes, religiosity, and spirituality influence cheating behavior. He has served on the Dean’s Student Advisory Council and has professional experience as a behavior technician. Justin is on track to attend Michigan’s Oakland University for a Ph.D. in evolutionary psychology.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Katie Last | Nominated by the Department of Sociology & Criminology

Katie is the student that professors dream of—critical, curious, and engaged. In addition to her coursework, she did research with the district attorney informing local practice, and her course-based community research group proposed a parenting program for incarcerated fathers that was adopted in prisons by the Department of Corrections.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Evalynn Russell-Miller | Nominated by the Department of Sociology & Criminology

Evalynn is a brilliant, highly motivated student whose curiosity spans many fields. Alongside strong academic work, she has taught environmental education, supported children with special needs, conducted research on anglers and invasive species, and worked with survivors of domestic and sexual violence, reflecting deep empathy and generosity.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Sarah Dollak | Nominated by the Sustainability & Environmental Studies Program

Sarah consistently has an attitude of curiosity and open-mindedness in all her courses. She worked well beyond classroom assignments, taking on an extra position as an energy educator. Sarah demonstrated enthusiasm, creativity, and boldness to try new things, such as presenting in front of a hundred elementary students.

Undergraduate Recognition of Excellence Award

Michael Muma | Nominated by the Department of Theatre & Dance

Michael’s skill, creativity, and attention to detail have infused every part of his time as a student in the Department of Theatre & Dance. He has appeared on our stages and helped create those worlds as a designer. Michael is a leader among his peers, evident from his success in the scene shop, as a teaching assistant, and as the department’s elected student representative.