NSHE Regents’ Awards and Sam Lieberman Student Scholarships Announced
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents has announced the recipients of the 2025 Regents’ Awards, recognizing outstanding faculty and staff at NSHE institutions. The Board also awarded the Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship, honoring nine exceptional students for their academic achievements, leadership, and service to their communities.
Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship
Formerly known as the Regents’ Scholar Award, the “Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship” was renamed for Regent Sam Lieberman who passed away in 2020, in commemoration of his service and dedication to public higher education in Nevada.
Each recipient will receive a $5,000 stipend funded by the Nevada System of Higher Education System Administration.
The honorees include:
- Olufemi Erinoso, UNR – Graduate
- Riley Gillis, UNR – Undergraduate
- Giovanni Jones, CSN
- Dru MacKay, WNC
- Sophia Roman, TMCC
- Karissa Sena-Fadenrecht, GBC
- Nicole Thomas, UNLV – Graduate
- Celeste Velasquez, NSU – Undergraduate
- Eden Wolde, UNLV – Undergraduate
Board of Regents’ Outstanding Classified Staff Award
This award recognizes a full-time classified staff member for distinguished service in support of their institution. The honoree receives a $3,000 stipend. The 2025 Board of Regents’ Outstanding Classified Staff Award honoree is:
- Lisa (Scottie) Lockrem, TMCC
Nevada Regents’ Creative Activities Award
Established in 1993, this award honors significant creative accomplishments that bring national and international recognition to NSHE. Each honoree receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal. The 2025 Nevada Regents’ Creative Activities Awards honorees are:
- Andrezej (Andrew) Lenard, CSN (Community College)
- Dr. Jennifer Bellor, UNLV (University/DRI)
Nevada Regents’ Teaching Award
First established in 1996, this award recognizes outstanding instructional contributions within NSHE. Each recipient receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal. The 2025 Nevada Regents’ Teaching Awards honorees are:
- Dr. Megan Lahti, TMCC – Tenured/Tenure Track (Community College)
- Dr. Brandon Eddy, UNLV – Tenured/Tenure Track (University/DRI)
- Dr. Melissa Morris, UNLV – Non-Tenured (University/DRI)
Nevada Regents’ Academic Advisor Award
Established in 1998, this award honors outstanding academic advising. One award is granted to a community college advisor, while two are granted to university/DRI advisors. Each honoree receives a $5,000 stipend. The 2025 Nevada Regents’ Academic Advisor Awards honorees are:
- Tara Connolly, TMCC (Community College)
- Dr. Han-Fen Hu, UNLV (Graduate – University/DRI)
- Malia Mitooka-Ferranto, UNR (Undergraduate – University/DRI)
Nevada Regents’ Researcher Award
Established in 1992, this award recognizes faculty members with substantial research accomplishments, national or international stature, and a significant record of grants and scholarly work. The honoree receives a $5,000 stipend and a medal. The 2025 Regents’ Researcher Award honorees are:
- Dr. Zhaohuan Zhu, UNLV (Mid-Career)
- Dr. Vladimir Pravosudov, UNR (Distinguished)
- Dr. Monica K. Miller, UNR (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Nevada Regents’ Rising Researcher Award
The Nevada Regents’ Rising Researcher Award was renamed in 2024 in honor of Regent Emeritus Jason Geddes, a longtime advocate for education and research within NSHE, who passed away that year. The renaming commemorates his legacy and dedication to mentoring young scholars and advancing research across the state.
First awarded in 2008, this honor recognizes early-career faculty members for their research accomplishments and potential for future contributions.
The 2025 Nevada Regents’ Rising Researcher Awards honorees are:
- Dr. Kavita Batra, UNLV
- Dr. Joanna Blaszczak, UNR
- Dr. Youngae Choi, NSU
- Dr. Pengbo Chu, UNR
- Dr. Thessa Hilgenkamp, UNLV
- Dr. Li Ke, UNR
- Dr. André Lindsey, NSU
- Dr. Jamie L. Palmer-Asemota, NSU
- Dr. Nicole A. Short, UNLV
- Dr. Kristin VanderMolen, DRI
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.
