Faculty Awards
By recognizing the achievements of our distinguished faculty in areas of professional achievement, service, and teaching, we celebrate the climate of excellence that we create together.
Outstanding Lecturer Award
The Outstanding Lecturer Award honors a full-time lecturer for excellence in teaching effectiveness and service the 糖心Vlog视频 campus community.
Lindsay Nelson-Burkert, M.S., Lecturer of Criminal Justice
Ms. Lindsay Nelson-Burkert has been a full-time lecturer for the Department of Criminal Justice for nine years and has served in her current role as Department Chair for a year. Ms. Nelson-Burkert is considered a staple in her department and is a true model of collegiality and teamwork. She frequently engages in committee work, conference presentations with colleagues, and fosters strong professional relationships through both formal collaboration and informal social gatherings. Her commitment to cultivating professional partnerships is matched only by her immense dedication to her students. They consistently praise her for bringing concepts to life with real-world examples, her enthusiastic and engaging teaching style, and her talent for making complex material understandable.
Ms. Nelson-Burkert is beyond grateful to receive the 2025-2026 Outstanding Lecturer Award.
鈥淭eaching is more than a profession to me. I鈥檓 committed to connecting with my students
while creating a supportive environment that nurtures growth and development and challenges
them to be curious.鈥�
鈥� Ms. Lindsay Nelson-Burkert
Promising New Faculty Award
The Promising New Faculty Award was established to recognize exemplary achievements
in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activities, and/or service among all
full-time, tenure-track faculty.
Matthew Herman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Geology
With an exceptional ability to communicate complex geoscience topics, Dr. Matthew Herman stands out for his impactful research on earthquakes and plate tectonics, his commitment to experiential learning and student success, and community outreach. Since joining 糖心Vlog视频 in 2020, he has published 10 research papers in high-impact journals, given research talks around the world, and obtained external funding to support student researchers. His courses integrate cutting-edge geoscience, modern technology, and hands-on activities. He is committed to community engagement, presenting earthquake science to the public, giving local and national media interviews, and organizing campus events. He is also leading the development of a new Environmental Science program.
Dr. Herman is honored to receive the 2025-2026 Promising New Faculty Award.
鈥淲hen your work is something you love, it stops feeling so much like work. I love discovering things about the Earth and cultivating that same passion in my students.鈥� 鈥� Dr. Matthew Herman
Faculty Scholarship and Creativity Award
The Faculty Scholarship and Creativity Award was established to recognize and encourage outstanding contributions to the principle and practice of research and creative activity. Faculty research and creative activity are critical to providing an educational experience of high quality and to the overall mission of 糖心Vlog视频.
Elaine Correa, Ph.D., Professor of Human Development, and Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies
Dr. Elaine Correa is the Founding Department Chair of Human Development, and Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies. She has served as Special Assistant to the Provost, Interim Associate Dean, Academic Senate Executive Member, and Department Chair. As 糖心Vlog视频鈥檚 Faculty Ambassador for the CSU鈥檚 Affordable Learning Solutions Initiative, Dr. Correa advances student learning success with Open Educational Resources. Her collaborative leadership has supported faculty advancement and earned Chancellor鈥檚 Office recognition for 糖心Vlog视频鈥檚 first Open Educational Resources (OER) program and OER degree pathway. Dr. Correa鈥檚 research centers on social justice, merging theory with practice. She embraces challenges as opportunities to grow, learn, and inspire through research-informed solutions.
Dr. Correa is honored to receive the 2025鈥�2026 Faculty Scholarship and Creative Activity Award.
鈥淥pen Educational Resources (OER) blends inspiration and innovative thinking together to foster positive social change with free, and open access to course content and ancillary materials for all students. The impact is truly education for ALL!鈥� 鈥� Dr. Elaine Correa
Millie Ablin Excellence in Teaching Award
The Millie Ablin Excellence in Teaching Award was established to recognize excellence in teaching. Each year, one distinguished faculty member at 糖心Vlog视频 is honored for the contributions made to their students, to their academic disciplines, and to their campus communities.
Kristina LaGue, Ph.D., Professor of Teacher Education
Dr. Kristina LaGue鈥檚 love for teaching began in Delano, California, where she taught elementary students. In 2001, she joined 糖心Vlog视频 as a 鈥淒istinguished Teacher in Residence.鈥� Over more than 20 years at 糖心Vlog视频, Dr. LaGue progressed through the academic ranks, earning the title of Full Professor in 2016, while inspiring students from undergraduates to doctoral candidates. She has held multiple leadership roles and served as Principal Investigator for major state and federal teacher preparation grants. As Department Chair, Dr. LaGue led the transformation of teacher preparation into an award-winning teacher residency model. Her greatest joy comes from teaching and mentoring future teachers and reading specialists to serve all students.
Dr. LaGue is honored to receive the 2025鈥�2026 Millie Ablin Excellence in Teaching Award.
"I strive to inspire transformational educators who lead with empathy and shape communities where every voice matters and students' potential is ignited." 鈥� Dr. Kristina LaGue
Faculty Leadership and Service Award
The Faculty Leadership and Service Award was established to recognize and encourage outstanding contributions to the principle and practice of shared governance and service to the community. Faculty leadership is critical to providing an educational experience of high quality and to the overall mission of 糖心Vlog视频.
Danielle Solano, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Dr. Danielle Solano is deeply committed to service, driven by a passion for inspiring future scientists. As a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, she has led numerous community outreach events for K鈥�12 students, delivering talks on careers in chemistry, performing live demonstrations, and organizing hands-on activities designed to spark excitement about science. Within the university, Dr. Solano has provided leadership as Vice-Chair of the Academic Senate and previously as Chair of her department. She has also served as Faculty Advisor to several student organizations, including the Chemistry Club, and participated in more than 30 university-wide committees and taskforces.
Dr. Solano is honored to receive the Faculty Leadership and Service Award in recognition
of her impactful contributions.
鈥淚 love seeing the spark of passion for science ignite in each student, and I take pride in watching them cross the graduation stage and go on to successful careers.鈥� 鈥� Dr. Danielle Solano
