The College of Education and Health Professions recently announced 2024-25 outstanding faculty award winners, citing their remarkable dedication and contributions to the college.

The Faculty Council reviews applications for college-wide awardees each year, targeting essential aspects of scholarly life and work. The Honors Council also selects a recipient.

"Congratulations to each of these phenomenal faculty members," said Dean Kate Mamiseishvili. "These awards acknowledge their extraordinary effort in advancing impactful research, empowering our students and serving Arkansas and beyond."

These awardees will be recognized at the end-of-year, all-college meeting on May 2.

This year's winners are:

Kevin Brady, professor of educational leadership
Superior Service Award

Brady, a distinguished figure in educational law, has made remarkable strides as president of the Education Law Association, where he successfully increased membership by 20% and boosted organizational revenue by 30%. His visionary leadership led to the creation of the ELA Early Career Fellows Program, a pioneering initiative designed to mentor emerging professionals in educational law and policy. At the U of A, Brady has served with distinction as the elected chair of campus faculty and as director at the University Council for Educational Administration, significantly influencing educational administration nationwide. His commitment extends to the community through his role as a certified mediator in special education, advocating for students with disabilities and facilitating effective dispute resolutions. Additionally, Brady's academic contributions include co-founding the Journal of Education Finance and Law and managing significant grants aimed at legal and educational reforms. His comprehensive impact on the field and unwavering commitment to service exemplify his profound influence in education and law.

Albert Cheng, associate professor of education reform  
Impactful Scholarship Award

Cheng has published seven peer-reviewed publications and six research reports, presented 39 times at academic conferences, received 684 citations for his work and secured five research grants totaling $200,000 during the past two academic years. Cheng, director of the Classical Education Research Lab, has positioned himself as a leader in the fields of education research related to classical education and homeschooling. In the last year, he has completed multiple studies, helping to address research gaps and limitations in homeschooling policy and practice. His work is helping other scholars identify important future research questions in the field to better understand the schooling decisions families are making in this time of change in education. Two recent studies, published just five months ago, have already been downloaded 800 times and cited six times. Cheng has also shared this new homeschooling research at multiple academic conferences and professional gatherings for educators. Eight media articles have now covered this new work, and he has participated in a podcast hosted by practicing homeschoolers, reaching a larger community of homeschooling families.

David Christian, associate professor of counselor education and supervision
Outstanding Mentoring and Advising Award

Christian demonstrated exceptional dedication to mentoring and advising students within the counselor education and supervision program during the 2024 academic year. He chaired four Ph.D. dissertations, served on six additional committees — three of which resulted in successful defenses — and advised 27 master's students. He also led and supervised six graduate assistants, with additional one-on-one mentoring for a seventh graduate assistant on a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) training grant. Beyond his formal roles, Christian invested significant time mentoring both current students and alumni, offering weekly teaching supervision, supporting research activities and co-authoring publications —including two in 2024, with several more in progress. He involved students in multiple research and grant projects, including the HRSA Wellness Project and a WE CARE grant. His mentorship extended into experiential education through leading a study abroad trip to New Zealand and supporting student involvement in the TAPG/AEE conference, where he also presented research. Furthermore, Christian serves as a mentor for two new faculty members, providing weekly guidance and integrating them into his scholarly work. Christian's mentorship has had a significant impact on college's students and alumni.

Stephanie Hicks, clinical instructor of communication sciences and disorders
Outstanding Teaching Award

Hicks has significantly enhanced student learning through her innovative instructional approaches and dedication to evidence-based practices. In 2024, she spearheaded a summer literacy camp at the U of A Speech and Hearing Clinic, providing undergraduate and graduate students valuable clinical training opportunities. The camp creatively utilized an "Olympics" theme, featuring engaging activities explicitly designed to improve literacy skills in children with communication disorders. Hicks thoughtfully arranged special guest appearances from local Olympians and facilitated an inspiring field trip to meet Jordan Wieber, coach of the U of A Women's Gymnastics team, enriching the educational experience for both campers and student clinicians. Beyond these efforts, Hicks thoroughly revamped key undergraduate clinical practicum courses, introducing interactive, application-based learning experiences that equip undergraduate students with essential skills for graduate school and professional practice. Students consistently commend Hicks for her compassion, availability and genuine investment in their success, frequently highlighting her ability to create supportive and motivating learning environments. Described by students as "pure gold," "compassionate" and "inspiring," Hicks is recognized not only for her exceptional teaching but also for the enduring, positive impact she makes on her students' educational and professional trajectories in speech-language pathology.

Claretha Hughes, professor of human resource development
Faculty Career Award

Hughes has spent over two decades of her career at the U of A. Her past and present leadership roles include serving as an elected board member of the Academy of Human Resource Development, human resource development program coordinator and director of the college's honors program. In recognition of her impact on her field, Hughes was awarded the 2024 Innovator Award from the U of A Technology Ventures, the 2021 FORWARD Award from the Academy of Human Resource Development and the 2012 R. Wayne Pace Book of the Year Award for her book Valuing People and Technology in the Workforce. Her work has been supported by external funding from various sources, including the National Science Foundation. As an instructor at the U of A, she has been instrumental in converting 14 courses in the human resource development curriculum to online instruction. Hughes was recognized for her dedication to students and colleagues with the Distinguished Leadership Award from the Honors College in 2015; the Golden Tusk Award from the Office of Student Affairs in 2012; the Outstanding Adviser Award from the Department of Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders in 2007-08; and the Provost's Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award in 2023.

Lyn Laye, clinical assistant professor of counselor education and supervision
Empowerment Award

Laye has demonstrated a consistent passion for and focus on empowering all students, faculty, staff and communities through her work and activities for teaching, advising, mentoring, scholarship and service. She is the founder and faculty adviser for the Association of Black Counseling Students, a student organization on campus whose mission is to promote positive mental health practices and advance the mental health and well-being of Black people on and around the U of A campus. Laye teaches the Counseling and Human Diversity class for the counselor education program and, through this class, prepares future counselors to successfully work with and empower clients from all backgrounds while also examining their own ideas and biases. Laye is a 2022 National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Doctoral Minority fellow and continues to mentor current fellows since completing the program. Her research focuses on uplifting and empowering the Black community, especially Black women, through mental health services. She presents on this topic at regional, national and international conferences. Laye empowers everyone she meets, from faculty and students to community members and other professionals.

Elizabeth Lorah, associate professor of special education
George Denny S.T.A.R. Award

Lorah has published six peer-reviewed journal articles; completed a book chapter, a proceedings paper and two accepted peer-reviewed articles; and worked on one state grant, two federal grants and four WE CARE awards in the last year. A respected member of her field, Lorah was invited to participate in the Future of AAC Research Summit, and she co-directed the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Research Laboratory, which coordinates the research aims of the lab, student research mentorship and resource provision to underserved Arkansas communities. In addition to maintaining an exemplary research record, Lorah taught six courses in 2024 and advised honors students, two doctoral students and a post-doctoral researcher. She has also served the U of A campus community as an elected member of the Faculty Senate, a member of the college's promotion and tenure committee, and chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction's promotion and tenure committee. Additionally, Lorah has served on multiple committees and in various capacities for the Arkansas Association for Behavior Analysis.

Sheida Raley, assistant professor of special education
Rising S.T.A.R. Award

Raley is co-founder of the Arkansas Transition Research Advocacy Community (AR-TRAC) and serves as co-principal investigator on multiple major research grants, including the $6.5 million ELEVATE Doctoral Leadership Consortium and the STAR transition grant. In 2024, she published 12 peer-reviewed articles, with three more and a book chapter in press, many of which were co-authored with doctoral students. Her work was cited over 500 times last year alone. Raley also serves as associate editor for Inclusion and Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders and holds editorial board positions with two additional journals. Her service includes leadership roles on the Council for Exceptional Children's Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT), the Faculty Senate and statewide initiatives to improve transitions for students with disabilities. As a teacher and mentor, she earned near-perfect course evaluations and provided guest lectures at national universities while mentoring doctoral scholars in Arkansas and abroad. Notably, she helped secure over $6.8 million in external funding in 2024 and continues to shape transition-focused research, teaching and policy at local, state and national levels.

Gema Zamarro, professor of education reform and Twenty-First Century Endowed Chair in Teacher Quality
George Denny S.T.A.R. Award

Zamarro is being recognized for her remarkable achievements in research, teaching, advising and service. As a professor and 21st Century Endowed Chair in Teacher Quality at the U of A, she has made significant contributions to education policy and labor economics. Her research on teacher labor markets and recruitment policies resulted in a $10 million federal grant to study K-12 teacher recruitment and retention, along with seven scholarly publications in high-impact journals and six pending works. Her studies have informed state, national and international policies, including reports by the European Union and the state of Texas. In teaching, she excelled in delivering rigorous courses with perfect evaluations and mentored students who achieved prestigious awards and career placements. Zamarro's service included leading graduate studies, recruiting doctoral students, chairing key committees and serving on editorial boards, earning her national recognition as one of the most influential education scholars in the U.S. Her work has been widely cited and featured in major media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Times, further elevating the university's profile globally.

Outstanding Honors Faculty Award

Each year, the college's honors students nominate faculty members for the Outstanding Honors Faculty Award. A subcommittee of the Honors Council selects the recipient. This year's winner is:

Page Dobbs, associate professor of public health
Outstanding Honors Faculty Award

As noted in her nomination letter from a student, Dobbs has excelled in mentoring the college's honors students by opening doors to new opportunities and encouraging them to take the next step. She is widely regarded for her unwavering investment in the academic careers of her honors students, and she ensures that the college and the U of A remain a place where young scholars can achieve their full potential. Dobbs works hard to actively connect her students with professionals in the field to foster far-reaching and impactful opportunities and further champion their growth. Beyond her academic support, Dobbs is known for her consistent kindness and support, making her an exceptional mentor and role model for students.

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About the College of Education and Health Professions: The College of Education and Health Professions' six departments prepare students for a wide range of careers in education and health, including teaching, nursing, counseling, educational leadership and policy, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, public health, exercise science, and many more. The college has approximately 360 faculty and staff members, serves more than 6,000 students, and supports over 20 research and service units. Guided by the WE CARE strategic plan, the college strives to advance impactful research that improves people's lives, increase transformative learning opportunities for its students, engage in meaningful partnerships across Arkansas and beyond, and embrace a culture of caring that empowers people to thrive in all aspects of life.