Wan Chen and Ming Li Scholarship for International Study Grant

Wan Chen and Ming Li Scholarship for International Study Grant is sponsored by Western Michigan University College of Education and Human Development. Supports undergraduate and graduate students in non-English based study abroad programs, aiming to enhance educational opportunities and make studying abroad more accessible.

Awards and Recognition Ceremony | College of Education and Human Development | Western Michigan University College of Education and Human Development Awards and Recognition Ceremony Each spring, the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University acknowledges students, faculty and staff for their great accomplishments from the past year. 2026 Awards and Recognition Ceremony Friday, April 24 at 5:00 p. m.

WMU Student Center Ballroom Staff Excellence Award – Chris Hybels, Marketing Specialist Sr. Undergraduate Rising Star Award – Madelyn Smith, Special Education Masters Rising Star Award – Madison Walker, Counselor Education Doctoral Rising Star Award – Sanela Sprecic, Education and Human Development: TESOL Strengthening Community Connections Award – Tayler Mercil, Manager of Recruitment and Outreach Full-Time Teaching Excellence Award – Dr. Amy Bentz, Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies Part-Time Teaching Excellence Award – Sandrina Zent, Family and Consumer Sciences Trailblazer – Dr. Beixi Li, Educational Leadership, Research and Technology Multicultural Award for Promotion of Diversity – Dr. Robyn Edwards, Special Education and Literacy Studies Multicultural Award for Global Engagement – Dr. Kwangmin Lee, Special Education and Literacy Studies Esprit De Corps Award – Nicole Leffler, Director of Marketing and Recruitment RSVP for the award ceremony by April 13 This award recognizes an individual who personifies the vision of the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University, especially in reference to respectful civility, collegiality and academic citizenship which work to lift the overall spirit of the college’s environment.

College of Education and Human Development faculty (tenured, tenure track, term or jointly-appointed), part-time and adjunct faculty, administrators and staff (full-time and part-time) are eligible for nomination. Individuals may not receive this award more than once in a five-year period. Clearly demonstrates on-going collegiality and meaningful collaboration with faculty and staff within the college and across the University.

Works to positively impact the culture and environment of the entire College of Education and Human Development. Serves as an outstanding role model, and practices the highest standards of professional, ethical, and human behavior in day-to-day interactions with faculty, administrators, staff and students. Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500.

Mary L. Dawson Full-time Teaching Excellence Award This award recognizes one individual (Board-appointed faculty member) who demonstrates exceptional creativity, enthusiasm, and passion for teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level(s).

College of Education and Human Development faculty (tenure track, tenured, term or jointly-appointed) are currently teaching and who have been teaching in the college for at least two or more years at Western Michigan University are eligible for nomination. Individuals may not receive this award more than once in a five-year period.

Demonstrates teaching excellence in various ways, which may include but is not limited to: a) use of technology in the classroom; b) blending research and teaching; c) innovative curriculum or course development; or d) cross-disciplinary instruction. Engages in creative teaching. Displays enthusiasm and passion for teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level(s).

Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500. Part-time Teaching Excellence Award This award recognizes one individual (part-time faculty member) who demonstrates exceptional creativity, enthusiasm, and passion for teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level(s).

College of Education and Human Development part-time instructor who are currently teaching and who have been teaching in the college for at least two or more years at Western Michigan University are eligible for nomination. Individuals may not receive this award more than once in a five-year period.

Demonstrates teaching excellence in various ways, which may include but is not limited to: a) use of technology in the classroom; b) blending research and teaching; c) innovative curriculum or course development; or d) cross-disciplinary instruction. Engages in creative teaching. Displays enthusiasm and passion for teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level(s).

Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500. Multicultural Advocate Award for Global Engagement This award recognizes one individual who has made significant contributions to establishing or strengthening meaningful ties between the University and our global partners.

College of Education and Human Development faculty (tenured, tenure track, term or jointly-appointed), part-time and adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University are eligible for nomination. Individuals may not receive this award more than once in a five-year period. Engages in creating and strengthening University and global collaborations.

Contributes to collaboration which provides significant and recognizable global contributions. Serves as an outstanding role model for promoting global connections. Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500.

Multicultural Advocate Award for Promoting Diversity This award recognizes one individual who has made significant contributions to furthering diversity within the College at Western Michigan University.

Rising Star Award, Undergraduate This award recognizes a College of Education and Human Development undergraduate student who has demonstrated outstanding potential in scholarship, teaching, and/or professional leadership within Western Michigan University. The recipient shall have demonstrated a quality of performance that indicates that they will continue to develop into distinguished members of their profession.

Full-time or part-time students who have been accepted into the degree program and who are enrolled in a College of Education and Human Development degree program for the current academic year. Students must be in good academic standing at the time of nomination. Demonstrates exemplary academic abilities.

Produces high-quality professional materials (written assignments, course projects, dissemination of information, etc.). Assumes an active collegial role in course-related activities or professional associations at the local and/or national level. Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500.

Rising Star Award, Master's This award recognizes a College of Education and Human Development master's student who has demonstrated outstanding potential in scholarship, teaching, and/or professional leadership within Western Michigan University. The recipient shall have demonstrated a quality of performance that indicates that they will continue to develop into distinguished members of their profession.

Full-time or part-time students who have been accepted into the degree program and who are enrolled in a College of Education and Human Development degree program for the current academic year. Students must be in good academic standing at the time of nomination. Demonstrates exemplary academic abilities.

Produces high-quality professional materials (written assignments, course projects, dissemination of information, etc.). Assumes an active collegial role in course-related activities or professional associations at the local and/or national level. Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500.

Rising Star Award, Doctoral or Specialist This award recognizes three College of Education and Human Development students (one each at the doctoral or specialist, master’s and undergraduate levels) who have demonstrated outstanding potential in scholarship, teaching, and/or professional leadership within Western Michigan University.

The recipients shall have demonstrated a quality of performance that indicates that they will continue to develop into distinguished members of their profession. Full-time or part-time students who have been accepted into the degree program and who are enrolled in a College of Education and Human Development degree program for the current academic year. Students must be in good academic standing at the time of nomination.

Demonstrates exemplary academic abilities. Produces high-quality professional materials (written assignments, course projects, dissemination of information, etc.). Assumes an active collegial role in course-related activities or professional associations at the local and/or national level.

Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500. This award recognizes a staff member in the College of Education who consistently makes outstanding contributions in support of faculty, staff, students, administrators and all those served by the College of Education and Human Development. College of Education and Human Development staff (full-time or part-time) are eligible for nomination.

Individuals may not receive this award more than once in a five-year period. Consistently goes above and beyond in providing outstanding service to students, alumni, faculty, staff, administrators and others served by the college. Initiates efforts to improve processes and operations within his or her areas of responsibility.

Engages in professional development activities which contribute to the goals and mission of the college. Demonstrates leadership and engages in teamwork to provide a positive work environment for all in the college. Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500.

Strengthening Community Connections Award This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to establishing or strengthening meaningful ties between Western Michigan University and community partners.

The awardee's actions have furthered the University as a vital component of the community by advocating greater involvement between the University and community sectors while building lasting community collaborations. College of Education and Human Development faculty (tenured, tenure track, term or jointly-appointed), part-time and adjunct faculty, administrators and staff (full-time and part-time) are eligible for nomination.

Individuals may not receive this award more than once in a five-year period. Participates in educational and community collaborations which encompass more than one singular community activity. Contributes to collaboration which provides significant and recognizable educational or community contributions.

Clearly demonstrates social and civic motivation. Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500. This award recognizes a single faculty member or team of faculty who engage(s) in innovative scholarship (which may include but is not limited to creative activity, research, program development, software development or other scholarly pursuits) which impacts the discipline.

College of Education and Human Development faculty (tenured, tenure track, term or jointly-appointed), part-time and adjunct faculty, or teams of, are eligible for nomination. Individuals may not receive this award more than once in a five-year period. Engages in scholarship which moves the individual’s field of study in a new or different direction.

Shares results of the scholarship with colleagues (through publications, presentations or other means). Serves as a catalyst for others to engage in meaningful dialogue or new and different scholarly pursuits. Each nomination and supporting letter must be at least 350 words, with a maximum of 500.

Recipients are nominated by fellow faculty, staff and students and voted on by the Awards and Recognition Committee. To view current committee members, click here . For a nomination to be considered complete it must have the following: One completed nomination form and one support form are required.

Additional support forms are optional and will be accepted if submitted. A maximum of three support forms will be accepted beginning in 2025. If nomination and support forms are not fully complete, submissions will not be reviewed by Awards and Recognition Committee.

Those submitting support information need only fill out the support form. The CEHD Awards Committee encourages nominations and support letter from all CEHD faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners. The CEHD Awards Committee reviews the nominations and support material based on the award criteria.

For each category a selection criteria rubric has been provided. The committee recommends that nominations and letters of support provide information that addresses information in the rubric. For each nomination and support the word count range is 250 (minimum) to 500 (maximum).

The online nomination form is set for these limits. This word count was established so that the selection committee will have a clear picture of the strengths of each of the nominees. Once all winners have been determined, the name of the nominator will be shared with each nominee; and upon request of the nominee the nomination and support materials are provided to each nominee.

Generally, winners for an individual category will not be repeated within a 5-year period. A list of the previous winners (within 5 years) can be found under each individual award category. View last year's recipients