The College of Education and Human Development held its annual Spring Celebration awards ceremony on Friday, May 1, 2026, in the William J. Raggio building, where guests joined to recognize this year’s award winners in categories including research, teaching, student leadership, outreach and community engagement.

The afternoon began with opening remarks by Acting Dean Jannet Vreeland, Ph.D., who expressed her congratulations and gratitude to the award winners for their efforts throughout the year. Shortly after, Recruitment and Retention Specialist Brandon Sanders, M.S., announced each of the 28 awards for members of the College and local community.

“The Spring Celebration is an opportunity to honor the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni for the incredible work they do,” says Vreeland. “We are proud to recognize their steadfast commitment to education and leadership in our College and in our community.”

In addition to the awards given annually, two special achievements from the College of Education and Human Development were also recognized:

Jannet Vreeland, Ph.D., presents a plaque recognizing the F. Donald Tibbetts Distinguished Teacher Award to Mandi Collins, Ph.D.

Mandi Collins, Ph.D., Teaching Associate Professor, was recognized for being awarded the F. Donald Tibbetts Distinguished Teacher Award. Two recipients are selected annually for this award. The $5,000 award is given to recognize and celebrate outstanding teaching by University of Nevada, Reno faculty members.

Rachel Salas, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Literacy Studies, was recognized for having been selected as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for 2026-2027 for South Africa. Fulbright Scholar Awards are prestigious fellowships that offer scholars transformative opportunities to teach and conduct research abroad while strengthening their professional development and fostering long-term connections that enrich their careers, campuses and communities.

Community Awards

Alumni of the Year: Robert Trimble, M.Ed.

Outstanding Foundation of the Year: Shaheen Foundation

Outstanding Supporter of the Year: Terry Owens, Ph.D.

Professional Awards

Emeriti Faculty Legacy Award: Meggin McIntosh

Emeriti Faculty Legacy Award: Rita Laden

Judith S. Bible Teaching Excellence in Education Award: Lacey Solferino, M.Ed.

Outstanding Outreach Award: Mandi Collins, Ph.D.

Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award: Bridget Walsh, Ph.D.

Meggin McIntosh was awarded one of two Emeriti Faculty Legacy Awards.

Outstanding Faculty Research Award: Li-Ting Chen, Ph.D.

Outstanding Rising Researcher Award: Alexandra Aylward, Ph.D.

Excellence in Innovation in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award: Literacy Center

Outstanding Administrative Faculty Award: Ryah McKay, Ph.D.

Outstanding Support Staff Award: Linda Starr

Faculty and Student Awards

Dana Davis Award: Pepper Thiede

Edwin S. Dodson Educational Leadership Award: Yazmin Andrade

Dr. George Hill and Dr. Ginny Knowles Leadership Award: Pricilla Castaneda

John A. Bailey Professional Expectancy Award in Counseling: Francisco Lopez Cabrera

Marshall R. Matley Distinguished Scholar in Special Education: Ashley Howren

Mary Demchak Memorial Award: Doctoral Student Research in Intellectual Disability: Ashley Howren

Ross Family Outstanding Social Studies Education Award: Emma Glover

Oluwatobi Mogbojuri was awarded the Outstanding Doctoral Candidate award.

Nevada Retired School Employees Association Award: Harold Alba Cervantes

Nevada Retired School Employees Association Award: Luis Chavez-Torres

Outstanding Doctoral Student Award: Oluwatobi Mogbojuri

Outstanding Master’s Student Award: Alexandra Paredes Rivera

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award: Nikki Chindavong

The College of Education and Human Development extends a sincere thank-you to all attendees, honorees and community partners who joined us and made the evening a success. The Spring Celebration continues to reflect the College’s commitment to excellence in education and human development.