For the spring 2026 semester, the University of Nevada, Reno Faculty Senate Foundation Outstanding Letter of Appointment Instructional Faculty Award Committee honored  five individuals with Foundation Letter of Appointment Instructional Faculty Awards. One recipient was selected for the Outstanding LOA award, while four others were recognized as Exceptional LOA awardees.

Outstanding LOA Joshua Padilla

Joshua Padilla has been named the Outstanding LOA for the spring 2026 semester. Padilla is instructional faculty in the Department of Sociology in the College of Liberal Arts. He teaches Soc 101, Soc/GRI 272 Latinx Identities and Cultures, and has previously taught Soc 472 Latinas/Latinos in America.

Padilla said that the award reminds him that the hard work of instructional faculty is seen and appreciated.

“I love teaching because of the students – people eager to understand the world and improve not only their own lives but often the lives of others,” Padilla said. “I especially enjoy teaching sociology because it helps students see how social structures and environments shape human behavior, rather than attributing outcomes solely to individual shortcomings. Because this perspective often challenges our assumptions, it can be deeply transformative.”

Exceptional LOA Instructional Faculty

Four individuals were named Exceptional LOA Instructional Faculty for the spring 2026 semester.

Karen Meskimen, Orvis School of Nursing

Karen Meskimen teaches NURS792, Outcomes Management and Performance Improvement in Nursing to doctor of nursing practice students.

“What I value most in my teaching role is providing students with a pragmatic, systematic, evidence-based framework for quality improvement,” Meskimen said. “I help them use practical tools and gain a working understanding of how systems function. Nurses encounter challenges every day in clinical practice, and the ability to pause, assess objectively, and apply structured problem-solving is essential to delivering safe, high-quality care.”

Meskimen is honored to be recognized as a letter of appointment faculty member. “I have great respect for my School of Nursing faculty colleagues. I couldn’t do what I do without their support,” she said.

Leticia Navarro, College of Liberal Arts, World Languages and Literature

Leticia Navarro teaches American Sign Language 4 and ASL Conversation.

“I love teaching my language,” Navarro said. “I want people to know what it’s like daily for Deaf people; to experience what we go through on a daily basis.  I love being able to teach the language so when students go out in Deaf communities they can have a simple conversation without being awkward.”

Being recognized with the award was very meaningful to Navarro and she appreciates that others are learning the Deaf community’s language.

“This award means a lot,” she said. “It shows me and the Deaf Community that we can do anything we put our minds to!”

William Thimmesch, College of Liberal Arts, Communications Studies

William “Bill” Thimmesch teaches a number of courses within the communications studies department including Public Speaking (COM 101), Small Group Communication (COM 315), Intercultural Communication (COM 412) and Business & Professional Speaking (COM 329).

“I most enjoy seeing students learn, grow and become prepared for their future careers,” Thimmesch said. “Giving back is my biggest reward as an instructor.”

He said that it’s an honor to receive the award and affirms his efforts to help students become responsible and capable citizens with hearts of service for others.

Nicholas (Nick) Tsoulfanidis, College of Engineering, Chemical and Materials Engineering

Nicholas Tsoulfanidis from the College of Engineering taught Radiation Measurements MSE 467, in the fall semester, and Nuclear Materials, MSE 468, in the spring semester. Though last semester was his final semester of teaching at the University, the University and the College of Engineering are grateful for the past 20 years of teaching that Tsoulfanidis contributed and thank him for the incredible impact he has made in the lives of the many students he has mentored.