Graduate Awards

Every year, the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences honors graduate students who have distinguished themselves through their teaching and research. These awards are named for two former faculty members, and we honor their contributions to our department as we celebrate current students’ achievements and potential.

The Carroll C. Arnold Award for Excellence in Research by a Graduate Student annually recognizes and honors outstanding achievement in the form of significant scholarship by a graduate student in Communication Arts and Sciences. This award is conferred based on a competitive review of individuals nominated by a qualified member of the faculty. Selection of the award recipient is informed by the nominee’s curriculum vitae and evidence of excellence in research.

Brandon Johnson
2022-2023
Yuwei Li
2022-2023
Kelly Sweeney
2021-2022
Alison Zhou
2020-2021
Kasey Foley
2019-2020
Haley Schneider
2019-2020
John Rountree
2018-2019
Xixi Tian
2018-2019
Kellie Brisini
2017-2018
Jeremy Johnson
2017-2018
Cory Geraths
2016-2017
Xun Zhu
2016-2017
Robert Richards
2015-2016
Anne Kretsinger-Harries
2014-2015
Craig Rood
2013-2014
Yu Lu
2013-2014
Holly Gates
2012-2013
Hye Jeong Choi
2012-2013
Sarah Kornfield
2011-2012
Kurt Braddock
2011-2012
Jonathan Pettigrew
2010-2011
Mark Hlavacik
2009-2010
Sara Mehltretter
2008-2009
Jennifer Kam
2008-2009

The Denise Haunani Solomon Liberal Arts Outstanding Teaching Award recognizes students whose accomplishments in the classroom have been deemed exceptional and who have thus made a significant contribution to the education of graduate students. The award is named for CAS faculty member Denise Solomon, in recognition of her commitment to excellence in graduate student teaching during her term as Associate Dean in the College of the Liberal Arts.

Craig Rood
2015
Bonnie Sierlecki
2012
Andrew High
2011
Allison Niebauer
2019-2020
Allison Niebauer
2020-2021
Derek Lewis
2020-2021
Ashley Peterson
2020-2021
Kasey Foley
2019-2020
Caroline Koons
2019-2020
Allison Niebauer
2019-2020
Haley Schneider
2019-2020
Xixi Tian
2018-2019
Kellie Brisini, Ph.D.
2018-2019
Benjamin Firgens
2018
Adam Cody
2018-2019
Allison Niebauer
2020-2021
Allison Niebauer
2019-2020

The Harold F. Martin Award recognizes outstanding achievement by a graduate student in teaching.

Benjamin Firgens
2018-2019
Anne Kretsinger-Harries
2014
Lindsey Aloia
2013
Sandra French
2004
Wendy L. Felato
2003
Paula Golombek
1992

The Kathryn DeBoer Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student annually recognizes and honors outstanding achievement in teaching by a graduate student in Communication Arts and Sciences. This award is conferred based on a competitive review of individuals nominated by a qualified member of the faculty. Selection of the award recipient is informed by the nominee’s curriculum vitae, teaching portfolio, and evidence of excellence in teaching.

J.J. De La Cruz
2022-2023
Ismael Quiñones
2021-2022
Ashley Peterson
2020-2021
Robin Duffee
2020-2021
Nikki Orth
2019-2020
Caroline Koons
2018-2019
Allison Niebauer
2017-2018
Kellie Brisini
2016-2017
Lauren Camacci
2016-2017
Cory Geraths
2015-2016
Brad Serber
2014-2015
John Minbiole
2013-2014
Mark Hlavacik
2012-2013
Bonnie Sierlecki
2011-2012
Andrew High
2010-2011
Una Kimokeo-Goes
2009-2010
Mary Haman
2008-2009
Jeffrey Nagel
2021
Kelly Williams
2020
Rachel Vanderbilt
2020-2021
Kellie St. Cyr Brisini
2019
David Maxson
2019-2020
Nikki Orth
2019-2020
Adam Cody
2018-2019
Xi Tian
2020-2021
Haley Schneider
2019-2020
Haley Schneider
2020-2021
Tony Irizarry
2020-2021
Jeffrey Nagel
2020-2021
Kasey Foley
2019-2020
Dominic Manthey
2019-2020
Claire Strutzenberg
2019-2020
John Rountree
2018-2019
Kellie Brisini, Ph. D.
2017-2018

The Alumni Association Dissertation Award provides full funding to full-time doctoral students who have passed their comprehensive exams and defended their prospectuses. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in scholarship.

  • 2015: Craig Rood
  • 2007: Jessica Biededorf
  • 1973: Stephen Lucas (Carroll C. Arnold, advisor)

  • 1983: J. Michael Hogan (1983)

  • 1984: Carole Blaire (Gerald Hauser, advisor)

  • 1984: Martha Cooper (Gerald Hauser, advisor)

  • 1985: Kathy Lynn Harbert (Gerald Hauser, advisor)

  • 1985: Roger Pace (Herman Cohen, advisor)

  • 2001: Bernard J. Armada (Stephen Browne, advisor)

  • 2007: Dave Tell (Rosa Eberly, advisor)

  • 2010: Jennifer S. Priem (Denise Solomon, advisor)

  • 2015: Jessica Kuperavage (Jeremy Engels, advisor)