2025
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Through their work, the Rowan University employees we honor here contribute magnificently to the lifeblood of our institution. Every day, they generously share their talents—and the best of themselves—with our students staff, faculty and the external community. They are teachers and scholars, leaders and mentors, researchers and innovators, advocates and creators. With distinction, honor and heart, they uphold our institution’s most sacred values. Here, we appreciate their work and celebrate their excellence. We are honored that they are members of the Rowan University family. Congratulations and best wishes to all of the honorees.
Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award
Yusuf Mehta
As an institution dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, Rowan joins with the Office of the Provost and the Lindback Foundation, funded through a gift from the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, to honor one tenured faculty member with an outstanding record of teaching and a sustained record of commitment to student learning.
Gary J. Hunter Excellence in Mentoring Award
Shirley S. Farrar
The Gary J. Hunter Excellence in Mentoring Award, sponsored by AFT Local 2373 and Rowan University, acknowledges those faculty, professional staff, coaches, and librarians who go to extraordinary lengths to mentor students in the spirit of Gary Hunter, a professor of history at Rowan for 29 years. Honorees demonstrate exceptional abilities in supporting, encouraging and promoting the development of students’ academic, personal and professional growth.
Frances S. Johnson Faculty Innovative Teaching
Justin C. Major
The Frances S. Johnson Junior Faculty Innovative Teaching Award honors the memory of the late Frances S. Johnson, a writing arts professor and former director of the Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. The award was established by Writing Arts Professor Sanford Tweedie to recognize junior faculty members who challenge their students in unique, important and interesting ways.
Joseph A. Barnes Award for Outstanding Service
Kevin A. Dahm
Joseph Barnes served the University for 23 years as a professional staff member and a tenured librarian, and he regularly taught courses in the College of Communication. The University Senate, AFT, and Campbell Library established and fund this annual award to recognize the outstanding contributions of a current member of the faculty or professional staff who has provided consistent, extraordinary, and longstanding contributions to Rowan University.
Excellence in Innovative Instructional Delivery
Megan Bucknum
The President’s Award for Excellence in Innovative Instructional Delivery is designed to recognize faculty members who have gone above and beyond to adapt to an ever-changing classroom environment, or who have provided outstanding contributions to online learning via coursework, programs or certificates. The award recognizes: novel methods to foster student learning and development; promising practices of pedagogical techniques; and creative student engagement techniques that impact student learning. The award is presented by the Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Excellence in Innovative Instructional Delivery
Department of Family Medicine & Simulation Center
The President’s Award for Excellence in Innovative Instructional Delivery is designed to recognize teams who have gone above and beyond to adapt to an ever-changing classroom environment, or who have provided outstanding contributions to online learning via coursework, programs or certificates. The award recognizes: novel methods to foster student learning and development; promising practices of pedagogical techniques; and creative student engagement techniques that impact student learning. The award is presented by the Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Presenting
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION IN ENGAGEMENT
presented to
DEAN MICCICHE
The engagement recipient is committed to the University's mission and contributes to its success. The recipient's contributions may include designing a workplace where employees feel inspired by their work, attracting talented employees, fostering collegiality, responsiveness, and trust, establishing avenues and dialogue that help employees, students, and alumni feel valued and appreciated, and reflecting Rowan's pillars, vision, and values through action.
Dean Micciche is dedicated to forging meaningful connections that promote student success. As Assistant Dean for Student Programs and Alumni Engagement in the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, he coordinates a team that goes the distance for every student. Although he is responsible for program and event development, communications, student services and alumni engagement, his efforts extend far beyond administrative responsibilities. Founder of the Office of Alumni Affairs, he developed its first programs to support the Alumni Association. Demonstrating a deep commitment to each student’s growth and well-being, he has coached student leaders through challenges, promoting the success of their organizations while exhibiting a calm and respectful demeanor and exemplifying outstanding leadership, a nominator says. According to the student nominator, those who get to know the assistant dean and have the privilege of working with him learn a great deal about the benefits of kindness and honesty, as well as the importance of compromise and professionalism. They can carry these lessons forward to help them improve in their careers and reflect well on their educational institution, the student adds.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION IN STUDENT-CENTEREDNESS
presented to
MARY DUGGAN
The Student-Centeredness honoree is focused on students' interest, abilities, and learning styles. The recipient promotes a culture that engenders a caring and supportive environment that helps each individual student feel valued, demonstrates commitment to a safe environment where students feel comfortable to learn and grow, and empowers students to take responsibility for their academic work, social life, and career development.
Mary Duggan, co-director of the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP), Department of Family Medicine, Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, fosters a supportive community to help students pursuing health care careers overcome barriers that may arise in the process. To promote their success, Duggan considers the student perspective in every decision and conversation. Her nominators say she has incorporated mentorship into every level of HCOP programming, which encompasses high school, undergraduate, graduate and medical students. “Mary is empowering her students to seek out the resources they need for the next step in their education, while also giving them the skills to smooth the path for those that follow them on a similar journey,” says a colleague. She has started seeing original HCOP alumni who participated as younger students now apply to the medical school HCOP programs. “This is perhaps the greatest marker of her success and student-centeredness,” another colleague says.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION IN CUSTOMER SERVICE
presented to
JUDITH L. CORTÉS-GAHAGAN
This award recognizes an employee who values and demonstrates the importance of delivering high-quality service to both internal and external customers. Such contributions include but are not limited to delivering courteous and prompt service, taking personal responsibility for resolving customer concerns, striving to exceed customer expectations and anticipating the needs of others by offering proactive and flexible solutions.
While fielding myriad daily responsibilities as the administrative assistant for the University Advising Center and Career Services, Judith Cortés-Gahagan’s main focus is creating a positive and welcoming environment for everyone who visits. According to her colleagues, she is an integral part of the office, and her impact extends far beyond her initial smile and warmth. “Judy is dedicated to meeting each student’s unique needs. Her genuine care and compassion for them are evident in her thoughtful and sincere approach,” a colleague says. Many students return just to chat with her or express their gratitude, a colleague notes, adding that Cortés-Gahagan’s unwavering commitment extends not only to students but also to staff, fostering a culture of care and collaboration. According to her nominator: “She continues to boost morale and a sense of community in our office among staff, and the office would not thrive without her.” An active campus volunteer, Cortés-Gahagan loves working on Rowan’s West Campus Farm, encouraging and sharing the experience with staff and students.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION IN TEAMWORK (INDIVIDUAL HONOR)
presented to
ROBERT MCCLERNAN
The Teamwork recipient recognizes that the accomplishment of the team is more significant than that of the individual. The honoree works with others across the University to assess a situation, plan a solution, or resolve a problem. They actively recognize each member's contribution to the team, work to acheive measurable inprovement in interactions with others and institutes significant positive changes at the University.
Robert McClernan, process technician in the Department of Chemical Engineering in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, often works behind the scenes, but his impact is unmistakable in ensuring effective operations and creating a better workplace for students and faculty, his nominators say. McClernan graduated from the program in 2018 and joined the staff the same year. Committed to creating a safety-first culture, he has been instrumental in establishing key lab safety initiatives, such as a lab coat laundry service trial and the creation of a committee that has established multiple safety-focused projects, including two awards, a manual and a quiz, his nominators note. McClernan also helped renovate and refurbish faculty lab spaces and regularly ensures proper function of building utilities. “He is truly a born-and-bred Rowan Prof and it is clear that he sees Rowan as his family and community that he is proud to be a part of and that he is willing to go the extra mile to make it a better place for all of us,” says an administrator.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION IN TEAMWORK (TEAM HONOR)
presented to
OFFICE OF ADVISING & STUDENT INFORMATION SERVICES (OASIS)
This award recognizes a team's commitment to common goals based on open and honest communication while demonstrating respect, concern, and support for one another. The team works as one to seek out varying perspectives, communicate and achieve measurable improvement in interactions with others. The honored team measurably impacts the University community in a positive manner and collectively values group success over individual success.
Members of the Office of Advising & Student Information Services (OASIS) team in University College passionately apply data-driven practices to prioritize students’ needs and improve their experiences and outcomes. OASIS supports a portfolio that currently includes non-medical graduate degree and certificate programs, 3+1 and Camden programs, and online programs. Navigating the Rowan Global restructuring that began last year, the team maintained its core responsibilities and expanded its impact. OASIS supported streamlined onboarding processes, enhanced student engagement and retention, optimized business practices, increased online resources for students, developed guided pathways for degree completion, supported strategic program development and facilitated business-to-business partnerships with hospitals and unions, according to an administrator. “They have expanded the idea of ‘teamwork’ to incorporate many units at Rowan and have fostered that network to the advantage of everyone involved,” a nominator says. Operating across five campuses as well as online, OASIS has cultivated exceptional communication and support among its members, nominators say. “The OASIS team’s accomplishments epitomize the essence of teamwork,” says a nominator. “Their success is built on open communication, mutual respect and collaborative problem-solving.”
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION IN CONNECTION & BELONGING
presented to
ANNE C. JONES
The Connection & Belonging award honors the efforts of an employee who fosters a sense of unity and togetherness in the University community. The honoree fosters an environment where every individual feels connected, valued and supported, enabling them to perform their best work. The recipient may be recognized by cultivating a connected workplace; promoting cultural sensitivity; engaging and retaining students, alumni and employees; evaluating and improving practices; and displaying respect and empathy.
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Associate Professor of Family Medicine in the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Anne C. Jones consistently provides service, demonstrates high-quality engagement and is passionate in her mission to nurture students to become excellent physicians. When responding to student reports, she goes the extra mile to spend time with students, understand all perspectives and fully address all of their concerns, fostering a student-centered environment where students are heard and represented, and their individual needs are respected, her nominators say. “Her experience and understanding and her empathy and knowledge combined helped me personally deal with multiple obstacles that have crossed my path,” says a medical student. Jones mediates student and faculty relationships and expectations, and her Student Affairs team members focus on helping students succeed, her nominators say. “Dr. Jones empowered me with the belief that I can succeed and that there are people here that truly do care and want to see me progress and develop,” a medical student says.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION IN HEALTH & WELL-BEING PRACTICES
presented to
MELISSA BUTTS
The Health & Well-Being honoree exhibits high-impact practices that serve the health and well-being of Rowan’s campuses and local communities. Through evidence of excellence in pedagogy, patient care, prevention strategies, crisis interventions, administrative changes and systematic progress addressing health inequities, the honoree exemplifies creating empathetic, resilient and healthy environments.
Melissa Butts, lead certified medical assistant in the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, is an optimistic team builder, consistently taking time to engage with learners and physicians to help them collaborate more closely with their patients and understand patient systems. According to her colleagues, she continually offers suggestions to strengthen collaboration in her department, working diligently with her peers to streamline workflow and improve morale. Furthermore, her colleagues say, she networks with others outside the department to build a stronger Rowan team. Highlighting Rowan’s best assets in delivering quality healthcare, Butts is patient-focused—an attribute she cultivates in trainees, her nominator says. “She is a welcome voice for our patients as their advocates and a bridge in letting them know their provider will be calling them back,” the nominator says. “Melissa has made the department more cohesive and has increased staff, faculty and patient satisfaction.”
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION IN INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
presented to
MATTHEW A. LEONCINI
A technologist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, Matthew A. Leoncini developed strategies that enhanced the college’s efficiency, research capabilities and long-term initiatives. According to his colleagues, after joining the department in 2022, Leoncini increased the functionality, safety and accessibility of the Mechanical Engineering Machine Shop. His cost center model promotes sustainable research, fabrication and interdisciplinary research and slashes costs. Moreover, he established bulk purchasing to reduce material costs by approximately 30 percent and increase efficiency. “His approach also cut average project turnaround times from five and a half months to just six weeks, ensuring that faculty and students have access to the tools they need when they need them,” a faculty member says. Leoncini also developed a machine shop website and educational modules to enhance hands-on learning. Additionally, his lab management web application revolutionized inventory management, maintenance scheduling and onboarding of student workers, according to his nominators. Leoncini’s work “positioned Rowan at the forefront of cutting-edge research and student development by providing scalable solutions and infrastructure to support advanced research and educational missions,” an administrator says.