Three members of the University of Arkansas campus community were recognized for their commitment to graduate education during the Graduate School and International Education's Geren-Koski Awards reception held April 16.

The Collis R. Geren and Patricia R. Koski Awards are 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 and passed away last January. It was renamed in 2022 to also honor Koski, who served as dean and associate dean of the U of A Graduate School for 25 years.

The awardees receive a monetary award, in addition to having their names placed on permanent plaques outside of the GSIE Dean's Office in Gearhart Hall. More information on the awards can be found on the GSIE website.

This year's winners were:

• Outstanding Faculty Award: Todd Cleveland, associate chair, director of graduate studies and Distinguished Professor in the Department of History
• Outstanding Staff Award: Bernadette Moore, administrative specialist in the College of Education and Health Professions
• Outstanding GSIE Staff Award: Julie Rogers, registration and records analyst in GSIE

Todd Cleveland

During his time at the U of A, Cleveland has launched or assisted in several initiatives to support graduate students both in his department and across campus. As director of graduate studies, he developed an accelerated master's degree program - also known as a "4 + 1" program - which helps students earn graduate and undergraduate credit concurrently during their senior year so that they can earn a graduate degree in just one year after earning their bachelor's.

He also led the development and coordination of a pedagogical "boot camp" for graduate history students to help them prepare for success in the classroom and their professional careers. The sessions cover a range of topics, including classroom management, syllabus design, content delivery, assessment and building community in the classroom.

Cleveland has also taught a cohort of students in the Graduate Student Teaching Enhancement Project - also known as G-STEP - offered by the Graduate School and International Education. This program offers online workshops throughout the school year aimed at developing the teaching and pedagogical skills of graduate assistants and instructors of record.

"Dr. Todd Cleveland is a profoundly caring and compassionate instructor with a deep passion for the field of African history," his nomination letter stated. "Dr. Cleveland's innovative approach to curriculum design, as well as his commitment to fostering intellectual growth and critical thinking skills, has had a significant impact on countless students at the University of Arkansas. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate education at the U of A, Dr. Cleveland's mentorship and support have motivated me to pursue research and scholarship opportunities far beyond what I once thought possible for myself. His dedication to supporting students in their passions and academic endeavors, paired with his contributions to the History Department and broader academic community, makes him a very deserving candidate for the Geren-Koski Award."

Bernadette Moore

In Moore's role, she serves as the first contact for prospective graduate students, providing critical guidance through the application and matriculation process and helping troubleshoot any issues they may have. Moore also proactively reaches out to prospective students if their application packets are missing components to ensure they can be considered for acceptance.

"I nominated Bernadette for this recognition because of the exemplary service she provides to Educational Leadership students and faculty," her nomination letter stated. "Our program moved from Curriculum and Instruction to Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods recently, and Bernadette provided the support our faculty needed to navigate that transition smoothly. This year, we added two new faculty members, and Bernadette has been instrumental in helping them understand university processes. Students at every level of our graduate programs speak highly of the assistance Bernadette provides. Honestly, we could not do our jobs without her. She is a critical member of our team and one who is deserving of this recognition."

Julie Rogers

Rogers has worked at the U of A for nearly 20 years, with most of that time spent in GSIE. In her role, she processes out-of-career registration requests for all student classification levels, retroactive graduate credit requests and change of registration requests. She provides registration and enrollment assistance to departments and maintains the degree audit system for graduate students in UAConnect.

Additionally, Rogers played a significant role in gathering degree and course information to submit to the Workday Student team. She manages the student inboxes and ensures that students, programs and departments receive prompt and accurate assistance in navigating the registration process.

"Julie ensures smooth transitions and continuity in processes, improves efficiency, enhances communication and collaboration, and consistently meets registration and enrollment deadlines, all of which contribute to the university's operational success," her nomination letter stated. "Over her 20 years of service, Julie has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to graduate education."