Faculty Recognition

Coming Soon!

The prestigious Faculty Excellence Award recognizes one outstanding Walden faculty member from each college twice per year. The recipients exemplify the university’s core values of quality, integrity, and student-centeredness. These faculty members demonstrate a strong commitment and dedication to serving the university, their communities, and their professions. Faculty members may be nominated by current students, other faculty members, or alumni and must have been with Walden University for at least 2 years at the time of receiving the award.

Faculty Excellence Award Recipients

Summer 2023

• Kathy Norris, PhD: Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences
• Eugene McKee, PhD: School of Interdisciplinary and Undergraduate Studies 
• James Herndon, EdDO: College of Management and Human Potential 
• Nicole Bradley, PhD: College of Social and Behavioral Health
• Virginia Smith, PhD: College of Psychology and Community Services
• Raj Singh, PhD: College of Health Sciences and Public Policy 
• Mary Bemker-Page, PhD: College of Nursing

Winter 2023

• Carole Pearce, EdD: Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences
• Jennifer Kozar: School of Interdisciplinary and Undergraduate Studies
• Thomas Butkiewicz, PhD: College of Management and Human Potential
• Melissa Lozito, DSW: College of Social and Behavioral Health
• Ethel Perry, PhD: College of Psychology and Community Services
• Jennifer Gadarowski, DrPh: College of Health Sciences and Public Policy 
• Tony Anno, DNP: College of Nursing

One of two awards honoring the founders of Walden University, the Rita Turner Award is bestowed annually upon the faculty chair of the doctoral study committee of the recipient of the Frank Dilley Award for Outstanding Doctoral Study.

This award honors the total commitment to the founding and sustaining of Walden by Rita Turner, co-founder of the university. Mrs. Turner’s shared vision of the university, careful attention to major organizational issues, supervision of complex operational details, and concern for fiscal accountability made it possible not only for the university to flourish during its first two decades, but for it to also grow into the unique global institution it is today.

Rita Turner Award Recipients

Summer 2023

• Yvonne Doll, DBA
• Denise Land, DBA
• Irene Williams, PhD

Winter 2023

• Rocky Dwyer
• Denise Land
• Peter Anthony

Bernard L. Turner Award

One of two awards honoring the founders of Walden University, the Bernard L. Turner award is bestowed upon the dissertation committee of the recipient of the Harold L. Hodgkinson Award.

This award honors the unique contributions to American higher education of Bernard L. Turner, chairman of the board (emeritus) and founding president of Walden University. An innovator in graduate-level distance education for professionals, Mr. Turner’s lifetime concerns for critical thinking and social change have left an indelible mark on the Walden curriculum. A passionate advocate of educational equality of opportunity and social justice, he made the Walden dream a reality through his persistence and dedication.

Bernard L. Turner Award Recipients

Summer 2023

• Andrew Carpenter, PhD
• Tina Jaeckle, PhD
• Douglas Mccoy, EdD

Winter 2023

• Lori Salgado
• Joyce Haines
• JoAnn Mcallister

• William Forrester, 2022 Executive Administration Officer of the Year, Memphis Police Department
• Sharma Manoj, 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award, Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs (ATOD) Section, American Public Health Association (APHA)
• Swan Wallace, Best Book, LGBT Advocacy Alliance Section, American Society for Public Administration
• Yelena Tarasenko, Fulbright U.S. Scholar, U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board
• Levita Bassett, Diversity in Auxiliary Leadership (DIAL), National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS)
• Lee Bewley, Distinguished Service Award, American College of Healthcare Executives
• Vince Edwards Deguzman, Navy ACHE Regent Senior Level Healthcare Executive of the Year, American College of Healthcare Executives
• Rocky Dwyer, Outstanding Reviewer – International Journal of Health Governance, Emerald Publications
• Rocky Dwyer, Outstanding Reviewer – Management Research Reviewer, Emerald Publications
• Rocky Dwyer, Fellow Royal Society of Arts for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
• Denise Land, 2023 NLN/Walden Leadership Academy, National League of Nurses and Walden University
• William Schulz, Silver Award for Research in Higher Education, United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA)
• Shelby Dewitt, Golden Staff Award, Trinity Health
• Susan Fowler, Special Recognition Award, Florida Nurses Association
• Jeannie Harper, Celebrate Nurses Award, Baton Rouge District Nurses Association
• Grant Rich, Frances Mullen Award for Distinguished Contributions to International Psychology, ICP: International Council of Psychologists
• Rebecca Cowan, Next Gen Award, Coastal Virginia Business Magazine
• Kelly Dardis, Outstanding Mentor, Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
• Sonya Ford, Lion of the Year, Lions Club of Antigua
• Leigh Hicks, Emerging Star, Homeless No More, Inc./Sheriff Leon Lott, Richland County
• Leigh Hicks, Pioneer Award, MOST, Inc.
• Brian Hutchison, Commitment Toward The First Arab Career Development Conference Success, Arab Career Development Association
• Rachel Johnson, Movers & Makers Cincinnati, Notables: Addiction and Recovery Services, Movers & Makers Cincinnati
• Krystal Vaughn, ACAC Advocacy in Clinical Mental Health Award, Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling
• Siamak Pouraryan, President's Volunteer Service Award, Points of Light Foundation
• Crystal Sands, Innovation in Online Teaching, edX
• Heng-Yu Ku, 2023 Fulbright Specialist Award, Council for International Exchange of Scholars, J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board
• Acquelnetta Myrick, Colorado Adult Education Award of Excellence, Mountain Plains Adult Education Association