Greg Parnell, Nancy Fondren and Cheri Poellot have been named winners of the 2022 Collis R. Geren awards for excellence in graduate education.

The Collis R. Geren and Patricia R. Koski award is given to faculty and staff members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to graduate education. The award was initiated in 2010 in honor of Geren, who served as the dean of the U of A Graduate School for nearly 20 years. It was renamed in 2022 to honor Koski, who served as dean and associate dean of the Graduate School for 25 years.

Parnell, a professor of practice in the Department of Industrial Engineering and director of M.S. in Operations Management and M.S. in Engineering Management, is the Geren-Koski university faculty award recipient. Parnell was honored for many ways he supports the university’s graduate students, especially as the director of the largest graduate program on campus.  

Parnell has actively grown the Operations Management and Engineering Management programs over the last seven years as well as recruited and mentored multiple students to the Industrial Engineering PhD program.  

"Dr. Parnell was nominated by several of his colleagues who highlighted his innovative thinking in growing graduate enrollment and supporting students," said Curt Rom, interim dean for the Graduate School and International Education. "Greg is a prolific researcher, mentor and provides engaging advising to his students that change the trajectory of their careers and their lives through his program."

Fondren, the coordinator of academic services for the Graduate School of Business, is the Geren-Koski university staff award winner. Fondren was acknowledged for the support she provides to Walton College faculty, staff and especially graduate students in her nearly 20 years of service.

"It is easy to take excellence for granted when it is exhibited on a daily basis,” said one of her nominators. "Throughout her career, Nancy’s clear guiding principle has been the student. She has gone above and beyond on a daily basis to assist our students and programs. She has been an adviser, an advocate and an ally to those she serves.”  

Poellot, the assistant director of administration and special projects for the Graduate School and International Educations admissions and recruiting office, is the recipient of the Geren-Koski Graduate School and International Education staff award. She was recognized for the behind-the-scenes work she performs to assist applicants apply and be accepted to the Graduate School.

"Without Cheri, we would not have graduate students, as Cheri’s role works with programs across campus on our application portal,” said James Gigantino, associate dean of the Graduate School and International Education. "This is one of the most important jobs in our unit, as she is a constantly working to improve the applicant experience and assist our future students and faculty to have a positive admission experience."

The Geren-Koski award recipients were honored at the annual Graduate School and International Education appreciation cookout earlier this week.