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Award Winning Faculty and Staff 2025

By UNC Asheville

July 11^th, 2025

Each year UNC Asheville recognizes the exceptional accomplishments of its faculty and staff members, with awards given for service to the University, campus support, teaching, creativity, and scholarship, as well as special recognition for years of service.

Distinguished Service Awards

Brad Faircloth, assistant professor of psychology

Faircloth was instrumental in our reaccreditation as a university, serving on both the Liberal Arts Core Advisory Committee as well as the Task Force. Extramurally, he was instrumental in organizing and supporting research symposiums for the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors; is involved with Waypoint Adventure, which supports inclusive, experiential education for individuals with disabilities; and the PINES program, which helps empower minority youth and other marginalized and underrepresented populations through educational and leadership development initiatives.

Graham Reynolds, professor of biology, director of the Honors Program

Over the past few years, Reynolds has basically revived and revitalized the Honors Program, increasing participation to over 120 students. Reynolds meets with each of these students individually to help guide them through the program. In addition to that work, and a full load of advisees within the Biology Department, he serves as the unofficial pre-veterinarian advisor and an unofficial mentor to the pre-tenure faculty in our department.

He has also served on the Hearings Committee, Tuition and Fees Committee, the Scholarship and Financial Aid Committee, as an ex-officio member of URCAP, and a variety of other roles both official and unofficial. He has been heavily involved in University Advancement over the years and in community service as a member of Helpmate's Board of Directors.

Distinguished Scholarship and Creative Achievement Award

Ryan Steed, professor of chemistry

Ryan Steed leads a robust interdisciplinary and collaborative research program in biochemistry, the overarching theme of his work being the mechanism of action of ATP synthase.

Steed's approach to research is through mentorship and collaboration with UNC Asheville undergraduates. His students receive a high quality and high impact research experience that prepares them for graduate school, medical school and careers in the biochemical industry. His 40 UNC Asheville research students each have had an independent and individualized research project, many of whom have presented at national undergraduate conferences, and 3 have earned awards as top presentations.

Anne Slatton, assistant professor of mass communication

Slatton has 20 years of university teaching in film production and theory, produced award-winning films, screenplays, theater productions and TV episodes. Most recently, she wrote and directed a documentary, "Preserving a Legacy: The Ava Gardner Museum."

She has received numerous grants and professional fellowships and judged many a film competition. She led 5 faculty-led study abroad programs. Her scholarly works include many conference presentations, articles and textbook on video production. Slatton has been a writer and director for the 48-Hour Film Festival for many years. In this capacity, she mentors students in all the different aspects of film production. This is a life-changing experience for our students who gain first-hand experience at producing, writing, directing and editing a short film in 48 hours.

Ruth and Leon Feldman Professorship

Leisa Rundquist, professor of art and art history

Rundquist's undivided dedication, ambition and commitment to teaching is overwhelmingly apparent. One student writes, "her approach to art historical topics is one of contagious enthusiasm, and her command over the subject matter is truly inspiring."

Rundquist served four years as department chair, she played an instrumental role in the visioning and development of the arts and markets minor, served as co-chair on the committee of tenured faculty, and is a member of the university planning council.

Her research has gained traction and international recognition as one of the leading authorities in the world on Henry Darger's art since the publication of her book, "The Power and Fluidity of Girlhood in Henry Darger's Art."

Katherine Zubko, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Director of Religious Studies, Professor of Religious Studies and Anthropology

Zubko is a true teacher-scholar whose research has informed her teaching, incorporating embodied pedagogies that aid students in retaining and transferring knowledge, as well as instilling a sense of belonging. As Interim Director of the Humanities Program, she created inclusive and transparent processes for reassessing and strengthening the program. During this time, Kate also acted as the NEH Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, working toward decolonizing the Humanities curriculum as well as rebuilding relationships with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

In the month following the destruction of Helene, when faculty were beginning to wonder how we could possibly reconnect with our students to finish out the semester, Zubko worked tirelessly with our UNC partners as well as Centers for Teaching Learning (CTL) across the nation to gather resources on teaching after tragedy. Through this, as well as the many other engaging offerings from the CTL with her vision and support, and all of her accomplishments, a great many of us are better teachers because of her.

Excellence in Teaching in the Humanities

Lise Kloeppel, chair and associate professor of drama

Lise has directed more than 42 different productions, and in 2019 she took 15 UNCA students to premiere "Nothing’s Happening: A Black Mountain College Project" at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

When describing her teaching, Lise writes that her “ultimate goal is a classroom without walls,” a learning space where she and students can blur epistemic boundaries and center the margins. She has secured over $105,000 in grant funds to support community engaged learning projects.

Casey Clennon '19 says, “Lise always managed to cultivate a very safe learning environment that gave students the chance to extend outside of their comfort zones without fear of judgment, failure, or ridicule.”

Excellence in Teaching in Natural Sciences

David Gillette, chair and professor of environmental sciences

Gillette brings science to life — literally immersing students in local rivers through snorkeling, and engaging them in hands-on research comparing streams.

He integrates grant writing into his seminar courses. Students design real-world projects, such as campus composting, rooftop gardens, or creating a Bearwise campus. Gillette’s Fulbright Fellowship in Nepal enabled him to study climate change’s effects on aquatic ecosystems, work he now connects to Western North Carolina by involving students in comparative research.

As a colleague noted: "He has endless patience with students… particularly those who may be taking their first science course and are learning to process a large amount of detailed information."

Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences

Caitlin Brez, associate professor of psychology

Brez is an outstanding teacher, researcher, colleague, and mentor. She creates a space where students are able to learn, grow, and develop; one where all know what is expected of them and feel supported in getting there. This is not by accident, as Brez goes out of her way to prepare courses and solicit student feedback constantly in an effort to be responsive and to work to ensure that no students fall through the cracks.

We can see this through the use of daily communication papers, or DCPs, as the students call them, where she asks students to share any questions, comments, or stories. She then goes through them all after class and gets back to students.

Excellence in Teaching in a University Program

Melinda Grosser, professor of biology

Grosser encourages students to look beyond what is visible, to investigate aspects of our world that are hidden or marginalized. Using a variety of pedagogical approaches and appealing to multiple learning styles, she encourages students to make connections to their own lives while studying the smallest of organisms and molecules. She increases scientific literacy, involves students in experiments, and shows students that there is beauty in even the smallest organisms when they create artwork in petri dishes of campus soil bacteria!

A former student noted, “I particularly appreciated how she created a classroom where we felt safe to ask questions and admit when we didn’t understand something."

Teaching Excellence by a Non-Tenured Faculty Member

Carol Hughes, lecturer in business

Hughes likens her approach to teaching as a bridge with a strong foundation where she helps guide students across the expanse of her accounting classes, empowering them to eventually build their own strong foundations and bridges to their careers. Colleague and student comments consistently speak to her ability to provide a compassionate learning environment while also adhering to professional standards necessary in accounting careers.

The most compelling example of Hughes' pedagogy is her work coordinating VITA - the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Through this program, she and her students have assisted many local disadvantaged community members in preparing their tax returns. This program fulfills a community need while giving students the opportunity to use what they have learned in the classroom in a practical, real-world setting.

Teaching Excellence by a Part-Time Faculty Member

Scott Lowrey, adjunct professor of art and art history

Lowrey is an adjunct who largely contributes to the drawing curriculum. In addition, he mentors BA studio students through their capstone course and hosts weekly open studio sessions for students to practice drawing, both of which are not expected of his position. His chair notes that it is clear that student success, growth, and learning is his primary focus and praises the strong sense of community that he fosters in the classroom. His students work together and, more importantly, they work hard.

A former student states that he "excels at coaching students up to a high level, gradually building their endurance and technical and conceptual rigor.” A current student exclaimed “If you put in the effort, he will match your effort and more. He loves to see his students grow. I’ve seen him meet students where they are in both skill and comfort level, helping them take a step back from the overwhelming challenge that is the human figure and focus on one manageable goal at a time.”

Distinguished Teacher of the Year

Ashley Moraguez, chair and associate professor of political science

One colleague has a running joke saying “she must have a twin that no one knows about because she does so much and does so well in all facets of her job — from the classroom to voting efforts and engaging the community.”

Moraguez has prepared students to be voting ambassadors, teaching them to take the lead and move UNC Asheville up in national rankings for civic engagement and voter turnout. She has developed many new classes to address serious and timely topics such as the National Census and Reparations courses. She has had much success in the initial rollouts of these courses, something that is not by accident and speaks to the fact that her pedagogy is flexible and responsive with care and rigor.

UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching

Evelyn Chiang, professor of psychology

Chiang embodies what we value most in teaching at UNC Asheville. What makes her rise above is her unwavering willingness to continue innovating both in the classroom and out. She has dedicated her career to improving pedagogy that includes students with disabilities and supporting her colleagues as they learn new ways of delivering their curriculum.

Her work has brought voice to students that are often unheard. Chiang has advocated for students with disabilities and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Just a few examples, she established the Disability Cultural Center, developed a website with resources to support AAPI faculty, hosted a public panel focusing on AAPI mental health, and created an affinity space to AAPI individuals on campus for emotional support.

Exemplary Service Awards

Kent Thompson, director of the video production and media lab in Academic Affairs

Thompson has worked here for 37 years and is described as a problem solver, collaborative spirit, and an indomitable force for student success. His unwavering dedication to innovation in media production has transformed the university’s creative landscape, providing students, faculty, and staff with unparalleled opportunities to learn, create, and share their work. He helped develop the Media Design Lab, CrAFT Studio, DIY recording studios, and lending technology programs. Beyond his technical expertise, he is known across campus as a generous and trusted colleague, always willing to advise, consult, or troubleshoot audio and video technology issues.

Andy Lapple, director of outdoor sports complex and events in Athletics

Andy exemplifies teamwork and a willingness to jump in and take on a wide array of tasks whenever needed. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the smooth execution of various events. Whether organizing game-day logistics, offering hands-on assistance during practices, or supporting the maintenance of equipment and facilities, he steps up to take on a wide array of responsibilities with efficiency and reliability. He consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, an unwavering work ethic, and a deep commitment to the success of our athletes, staff, and coaches. He embodies the core values of the Athletics Department and has earned the respect and admiration of everyone he works with.

Roger Penley, supervisor of event set up and moving in Campus Operations

Penley received several nominations and is described by one as “incredibly kind, hardworking, and proactive in his approach to his work and represents the true spirit of UNC Asheville.” He also contributed an extensive amount of work in response to Hurricane Helene. Additionally, he works closely with the Food Equity Initiative on their weekly food distributions, has come to campus outside of scheduled hours to provide support on event set up and tear down when needed, and always treats everyone with respect. While his role does not include much overlap with students, he is well admired and connected with our students and even recently earned the Champion for Students Rocky Award from Student Affairs. One nominator writes, “I often joke that UNC Asheville will crumble when he decides to retire. He is continually supportive, positive, genuine, and just an all around incredible human being.”

Katha Tasios, accounts payable clerk for Budget and Finance

Tasios has worked with UNC Asheville for 28 years and has “gone above and beyond to help the University and lead the Accounts Payable office with love, care, and compassion.” She is described as being innovative and approaching every task with a fresh mindset. The nominator writes, “Accounts Payable is an often thankless job, with constant questions and emergencies that pop up that must be handled in an immediate fashion. She is an outstanding representative of UNC Asheville and is asked consistently to go beyond her position description. She is a fantastic teammate and brings a happiness to the office that is difficult to replace on days when she is out.”

Klari Farzley, assistant director of alumni and friend engagement for University Advancement

Farzley has made a significant impact in this past year by connecting over 100 alumni volunteers with areas around campus including admissions, the career center, student life, athletics, and academics. She is a regular volunteer at events around campus and makes a conscious effort to support campus-wide programs and efforts. Her nominator elaborates further saying, “she is a leader in the larger region and represents UNC Asheville well in the community. This included running an aid station in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and organizing fundraising and volunteer efforts in the Swannanoa area. She does all of this work enthusiastically without needing praise or seeking attention. She just wants her colleagues to thrive and to make UNC Asheville a more vibrant and supportive community.”

Lucas Granade, associate director of admission operations for admissions

Granade is described by their nominator as being an example of who we should all strive to be. They are humble, compassionate, and the kind of person that makes others want to be better at their job. Their nominator shares just one week’s worth of the Lucas’s impact by writing, “they found themself in multiple meetings with campus partners, such as study abroad, to launch and rework the visiting students application and onboarding process, and with athletics to try and streamline and support applicants, and with colleagues to make our work as seamless as possible regarding a data exchange that I have struggled to wrap my mind around. They stepped in to learn new processes, worked on releasing scholarship notifications, released decisions, updated records, met with prospective students, assisted in updating enrollment reports, reviewed recipient lists, had multiple four hour meetings, and still had a smile on their face at the end of the day. Although all of the work is tough, they genuinely make it better.”

UNC Asheville Values -Innovation Award

Candace Buck, purchasing assistant for Budget and Finance

Buck not only demonstrates innovation, but a true dedication to the success of our university. She received many nominations, all of which described her relentless dedication to supporting others and ensuring that university processes stayed afloat in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Buck is one of the few employees that were considered 'essential' for the Finance department, and she proved her innovation every day of the month of October. For weeks, she walked to and from home (about 15 minutes one way) and executed the check writes to keep vendors paid and our University business running. She also helped execute Payroll check writes as well, which kept all of our employees paid during one of the most difficult times any of us have ever known.

UNC Asheville Values -Diversity & Inclusion Award

Amber Chapman, public health advisor of clinical partnerships for North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness

Chapman has worked to include historically underserved communities through her work of expanding health programs. Despite limited resources and structural barriers, she has consistently advocated for expanding outreach to new communities, working to ensure that language and culture are not barriers to accessing critical health support. Her work uplifts community voices, and expands access across the greater Asheville community. Her colleagues are inspired by her passion and her willingness to advocate and hold other accountable, and even when the work is tough, she demonstrates unwavering dedication.

UNC Asheville Values - Sustainability Award

Rudy Beharrysingh, director of the Math Assistance Center

Beharrysingh has worked tirelessly to support student success and provide inclusive and supportive learning environments that also foster a community for students. He is also an active member of the community by serving on the North Carolina Early Mathematics Placement Testing Board as a UNC Asheville representative, attending math conferences with students and other staff, and partnering with OLLI. However, many of us may recognize him for his efforts to engage campus in sustainability programs and efforts such as the “Electrify Your Ride” E-bike tour, and various other events and programs to educate the campus community on the benefits of electric vehicles. His work has increased awareness and knowledge of sustainable practices in a way that is fun and approachable.

Bulldog Spirit Award

Anne Marie Roberts, director of advising

This recipient has always demonstrated a true Bulldog Spirit. From her time as a first generation college student at UNC Asheville, to her current role as a staff member on our campus, she has been a key contributor of our campus community and one who welcomes new faces willingly and helps them feel like they belong. Roberts' nominator states, “she is actively engaged in campus life, no matter if she is cheering on student-athletes, participating in staff volunteer opportunities on campus, or attending working groups seeking to improve the student experience inside and outside of the classroom.” She leads with care and compassion and brings a sense of humor to her work. Anyone who has worked with her knows that she is kind, respectful, generous with her time, and has a deep care and love of this campus community, and her work at UNC Asheville has impacted so many people.

30-35 Years of Service

Grant Hardy, professor of history

Hardy is beloved by students across the curriculum at UNC Asheville. He is a compassionate and brilliant teacher who captivates students with his ability to draw them into complex worlds from the past. He is an internationally-renowned scholar whose research and publications on the Book of Mormon break new scholarly ground. Hardy was instrumental in creating the Religious Studies Program on our campus and has shared his expertise with countless students in those courses. He has also devoted many years of service to the Humanities Program, serving as director of the program previously and returning to that position in July 2025.

Sophie Mills, professor of ancient Mediterranean studies

In her 30 years, Mills has won the Distinguished Teaching Award in the Humanities, the Governors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Society for Classical Studies’ Collegiate Teaching Award, a national recognition. She received the Award for Outstanding Scholarly and Creative Achievement, the Ruth and Leon Feldman Professorship, and served as the NEH Distinguished Teaching Professor in Humanities. Mills has published over 40 articles and encyclopedia entries, published four books, with another near completion, and edited the most recent HUM 124 Global Humanities Reader. She served as department chair for 17 years, served on many university committees, and as president of the Classical Association of the Middle West and South. She has been a model member of the faculty, a model of kindness and humanity to friends and colleagues, and an example of what is best about UNC Asheville.

David Peifer, professor of mathematics

At the heart of Peifer’s career is his deep understanding of mathematics as central to a liberal arts education. From his first years at UNC Asheville, he embodied this interdisciplinary spirit, teaching in the Humanities program and later leading the University's Cambridge program for two summers.

As department chair for 14 years, Peifer oversaw a period of remarkable growth, fueled by his enthusiasm for mathematics as a universal language. Above all, it is the energy he brings to every classroom and conversation that makes him unforgettable. Spend just five minutes with him, and you’ll start to believe that mathematics is not only beautiful—it’s irresistible. His students don’t just learn math; they come to see the world differently because of how he teaches it.

Lydia Gossett, accounting manager for Budget & Finance

From Mary Hall, associate vice chancellor of finance:

"Lydia Gossett has given 35 years of service to UNC Asheville. I’m sure she had no idea she’d be celebrating this milestone when she graduated and started her career here. What would she say to the much younger Lydia Gossett now?

I would hope she would say to be relax but be fearless because you’re going to make an indelible mark on your alma mater. You will be known for setting the standard for competency, kindness, patience, ingenuity, personal initiative, and being a servant leader.

Smile and feel good because you will be admired by so many people over the years, you will learn more than you ever dreamed (or wanted to learn), you will positively influence and nurture others in their careers, and you will be seen as one of the best people to work with - ever."

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