Hevel, Ward, Cole Win 2026 Geren-Koski Awards

The Graduate School and International Education recognized three members of the campus community for their commitment to graduate education during the annual Geren-Koski Awards reception held April 23.

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 in January 2024. 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 University Faculty Award: Michael Hevel, associate dean for research, strategy and outreach in the College of Education and Health Professions
• Outstanding University Staff Award: Sandra Ward, HEI program coordinator in the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods
• Outstanding GSIE Staff Award: Kerry Cole, associate director of graduate fellowships and program support

Michael Hevel

Hevel has taught at the U of A since 2012 and currently serves as the associate dean for research, strategy and outreach in the College of Education and Health Professions. He launched the online master's degree in community college leadership and was recognized in a recent program review for the degree, where students credited Hevel and other faculty for their success in the program.

He has also chaired the advisory committee for eight doctoral students in the Higher Education program, served as a committee member for 10 other doctoral students who have successfully completed their comprehensive exams and chaired seven Higher Education doctoral students' dissertations through to successful completion, in addition to serving as a committee member on other dissertations in higher education and adjacent fields.

Hevel has also served as a mentor to graduate students, having engaged students in research projects that have resulted in articles, chapters and book reviews in leading scholarly outlets.

"What is perhaps most important to recognize in considering Michael's contributions to graduate education at the University of Arkansas is that he has held full-time academic leadership roles since 2017 that have not included workload expectations for program coordination, teaching, advising and mentoring," his nomination letter stated. "That he has nonetheless been an incredibly active graduate faculty member clearly demonstrates his 'record of outstanding service and leadership to graduate education on the University of Arkansas campus, community and graduate education at large.'" 

Sandra Ward

Ward serves as the HEI program coordinator in the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods in the College of Education and Health Professions. She has worked at the U of A for more than two decades, beginning as an administrative assistant before moving to her current position in 2013.

In her many nomination letters for the award, colleagues credited Ward for her assistance to faculty during the transition to Workday, deep knowledge of policies and procedures, and unwavering support of students.

"She invests personally in the success and wellbeing of others, mentoring colleagues across roles, anticipating needs before they arise, and ensuring that departmental functions move forward seamlessly," one nomination letter stated. "Perhaps most notably, Sandra leads with heart in moments that matter most. During times of profound difficulty, she has stepped forward as a source of compassion, stability and quiet leadership. She supports not only logistics but people, helping the community navigate next steps and ensuring that care and dignity remain at the center of the department's response."

 "Sandra Ward is the glue that holds CLRM together; she is also the heart of the department as well," another nominated letter stated. "She goes above and beyond to help students, prospective students, faculty and other staff members. She is not only extremely knowledgeable about policies and procedures, but she is also practical and, above all, helpful."

Kerry Cole

Cole serves as the associate director of graduate fellowships and program support in GSIE, where he administers graduate fellowships including the Distinguished Doctoral and Doctoral Academy Fellowships, named endowed fellowships and nationally competitive awards. In total, Cole helps distribute more than $6 million in awards and grants each year.

He also serves as the first point of contact for all information and issues related to fellowships and grants, ensuring our students, faculty and staff have the information they need on the various funding opportunities GSIE provides.

"Kerry Cole is an unsung hero," one of his nomination letters stated. "For students who may not have interacted with GSIE before, he provides a welcoming first impression that represents the student-centered mindset that defines GSIE. He is a tremendous colleague and team player, always willing to assist with tabling events and other related duties as needed."

"Kerry is not only an incredibly professional and responsible colleague to work with in GSIE, he is also a valuable asset with his specialized knowledge and skill," another nomination letter stated. "Kerry is one of those members of the department that does not often end up being featured on social media or newsletter, but who is one of the crucial gears in this machine. We cannot provide Kerry with enough thanks, but at the very least would like to provide him this nomination for the Geren and Koski Award. He has more than earned it."