Tenure Achievements and Board of Regents’ Awards The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents announced recipients for the Nevada Regents’ Awards, which honor significant and meaningful contributions throughout the System.

May 11, 2026
Morrill Hall sits on the south end of the University of Nevada, Reno quad, a large lawn area surrounded by trees and a walking path.

Tenure Achievements and Board of Regents’ Awards

The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents announced recipients for the Nevada Regents’ Awards, which honor significant and meaningful contributions throughout the System.

May 11, 2026

Dear Wolf Pack Family, 

Our University is defined by our people. We are honored to recognize our students, faculty and staff as they reach important milestones and receive well-deserved recognition for their accomplishments. 

The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents announced recipients for the Nevada Regents’ Awards, which honor significant and meaningful contributions throughout the System. In addition, faculty members who have earned tenure through their achievements in scholarship, teaching, mentoring, service and leadership, were also recently approved by the Board of Regents. 

Those honored from the University this year include: 

  • Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship - Graduate – Lauren Whitenack
  • Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship - Undergraduate – Elena Chau
  • Nevada Regent’s Teaching Award (Non-Tenured) -  Kelly Keselica
  • Nevada Regents’ Academic Advisor Award -Graduate – Dr. Jenny Ouyang
  • Nevada Regents’ Researcher Award (Humanities and Social Sciences) – Dr. Valerie Fridland
  • Nevada Regents’ Researcher Award -  Dr. Scott Allen
  • Nevada Regents’ Rising Researcher Award – Dr. Sandhya Narayanan
  • Nevada Regents’ Rising Researcher Award – Dr. Elnaz Seylabi

 

Tenured faculty:

  • Dr. Manuel Andrade-Rodriguez
  • Dr. Claudia Rueckert 
  • Dr. Scott Allen 
  • Dr. Robert Shriver 
  • Dr. Steven Frese 
  • Dr. David St-Jules 
  • Dr. Evan Brody 
  • Dr. Adam Dunbar 
  • Dr. Mia Holbrook 
  • Dr. Nasia Anam
  • Dr. Guadalupe Escobar 
  • Dr. James McSpadden
  • Dr. Steve Eubanks
  • Dr. Laura Blume 
  • Dr. Prisca Gayles
  • Dr. Matthew Hayes 
  • Dr. Yifei Li 
  • Dr. Alexis Hanna
  • Dr. Ruby Batz 
  • Dr. Elnaz Esmaeilzadeh Seylabi
  • Dr. Seri Park 
  • Dr. Yifei Jin 
  • Dr. Aditya Nair
  • Dr. Nicholas Borotto
  • Dr. Ying Yang
  • Dr. Ehsan Vahidi 
  • Dr. Yafis Barlas
  • Dr. Edward Ester
  • Dr. Theresa Watts 
  • Dr. Ran Duan
  • Dr. Albert Gonzales 

To each outstanding faculty member who has reached this important career milestone or honor, our University community thanks you sincerely for your work that advances our stellar institution. Your research, teaching, and dedication is enhancing our global impact and furthering our commitment to excellence. We are excited to see the new paths and collaborations ahead for you and appreciate the lasting role you have played in elevating the University of Nevada.  

Congratulations and Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President

May 11, 2026