Excellence in service, teaching, mentorship, and professional development in the College of Family, Home, and Social Science was recognized during the annual Fall Meeting on August 26, 2026.
Faculty and staff in the BYU College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences gathered Wednesday, August 26, for the college’s annual Fall Meeting as part of University Conference to acknowledge excellence in service, teaching, research, mentorship, citizenship, and professional development. Curtis Child, associate dean of faculty, conducted the awards ceremony. Honors were presented from both the college and the university.
University Awards
President’s Appreciation Award
Carina Alleman – Deans Office
"If you have had occasion to work with Carina, you know why she is receiving this award. She knows everything and everyone. She is kind and professional — quick to help, completely reliable, and just a lot of fun to be around,” said Child.
Karl G. Maeser Research and Creative Arts Award
Dianne Tice – Psychology
"Dianne is an internationally recognized expert for her work on self-regulation, humility, self-esteem, and emotion regulation,” said Child. “She is an established thought leader on numerous topics including willpower and agency, belongingness and inclusion/exclusion, awe, uncertainty, self-handicapping, and self-knowledge and self-awareness. Her work includes substantial mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students, and she is a highly sought after speaker and teacher.”
Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award
Marty Matheson – Social Work
“Marty’s service to the university and community and love for his students make him exceptional,” said Child. In his 25 years as an adjunct clinical professor, Matheson has taught a wide range of courses and served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Private Special Education Centers.
Early Career Scholarship Award
Tyson Reeder – History
“Tyson is a dedicated teacher of young historians,” Child said. Reeder specializes in early American international and transnational history. He worked as an editor of The Papers of James Madison and is the author of Smugglers, Pirates, and Patriots: Free Trade in the Age of Revolution. He is also the author of the George Washington Prize-winning Serpent in Eden: Foreign Meddling and Partisan Politics in James Madison’s America.
Early Career Teaching Award
Jocelyn Wikle – Family Life
Wikle embeds gospel teachings and BYU learning outcomes across her entire curriculum. “Through experiential learning, intellectual rigor, and compassionate mentoring she helps students become capable scholars and disciples,” Child stated.
Jack Bailey Teaching & Learning Faculty Fellowship
Christian vom Lehn – Economics
"Christian is widely recognized for his innovative teaching, devoted student mentoring, and integration of gospel principles with academic learning — whether in first year courses or advanced macroeconomics,” Child noted.
University Professorship Award
Ben Ogles – Psychology
“Ben is a professor of psychology and a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive leadership experience in higher education. He served as a dean at Ohio University and BYU, leading large colleges — ours included — through strategic planning, fundraising, faculty development, and academic innovation,” Child said.
College Awards
Mary Lou Fulton Awards
Pre-CFS Awards
Ruth Aguirre – Social Work
Aguirre is a mentor to many students and has modernized the School of Social Work’s internship program. She continues to make many wonderful contributions to the school.
Kara Duraccio – Psychology
Duraccio is known for her energy and dedication to individual students. She has made meaningful contributions to sleep research and actively works to provide students with experiential learning opportunities.
Nathan Leonhardt – Family Life
Leonhardt leads through his notable capability to collaborate with others. “He excels as a scholar. He's an involved citizen, an able mentor, and a success in the classroom,” Child said.
Joseph Stuart – History
Stuart has successfully soared through his short time at the college. He is soon to publish a book on the nation of Islam and has an edited volume in the works.
Mary Lou Fulton Professorship
Mikaela Dufur – Sociology
“Despite carrying a heavy administrative load in her role as an associate dean for the last several years, Mikaela maintained a highly productive research program that put students front and center. She is an outstanding colleague and mentor to students and faculty alike, an excellent teacher, and a highly effective citizen,” said Child.
Martin B. Hickman Awards
Outstanding Scholar Award/Lecture
Michael Larson – Psychology
“This award recognizes Mike for his outstanding scholarly impact as a top-cited scholar, editor of a leading journal, excellent mentor, and recipient of major scholarly honors. Mike excels at everything he does, and makes it look easy. Fantastic work, and we look forward to his lecture next semester,” Child said.
Belonging Award
Dawn-Marie Wood – Psychology
“The Hickman Belonging award goes to Dawn-Marie as the founding director of the Psychology Mentored Research Program (PMRP). She works on the department committee for Belonging & Diversity, masterfully teaches challenging topics related to belonging from a strong foundation of faith, champions viewpoint diversity and civil discourse, and is a passionate instructor of Univ 101. We look forward to hearing her lecture next semester,” Child shared.
Excellence in Teaching Award
Celeste Beesley – Political Science
"Celeste is an accomplished and highly popular teacher who shows deep concern for student well-being. This award also recognizes her for her willingness to lead substantial student-centered initiatives such as WomenStats,” Child said.
Innovation in Teaching Award
Cortney Evans Stout – Family Life
“Cortney has a record of innovative teaching and, among other things, has developed especially creative assignments that help students critically understand both the possibilities and pitfalls of AI in scholarly writing,” Child stated.
Achievement in Teaching Award
Scott Braithwaite – Psychology
"Scott is an exceptional teacher that colleagues seek out as a model for their own teaching. He is especially skilled at guiding students through their own faith journeys while creating both a rigorous and compassionate classroom experience,” Child said.
Excellence in Teaching by Visiting Faculty
Daniel Milton – Political Science
“Daniel brings academic excellence and practical experience together in the classroom, showing students how scholarship and professional practice can meaningfully reinforce one another. He is a model of exemplifying our dual heritage as he teaches masterfully in both the discipline and the gospel,” Child observed.
Leadership in Citizenship Award
Scott Condie – Economics
“Scott is an exemplary citizen making contributions across the department, college, and university. To give just a few examples, he has been a wise, organized, and very capable chair of the college R&S Committee, served on the department's diversity and belonging committee, and even advises the university on its investment portfolio,” explained Child.
Excellence in Citizenship for Collegiality Award
Josh Gubler – Political Science
"Josh generously shares his deep expertise in research and methods in ways that consistently lift colleagues and students both intellectually and spiritually. He always has a smile on his face, a positive attitude, and a faithful outlook. His collegiality extends to dozens of students and to navigating tricky tensions in his work overseeing the MESA program in the Kennedy Center,” Child said.
Achievement in Citizenship Award
Erin Holmes – Family Life
“We are recognizing Erin at the end of her thoughtful, compassionate leadership of the School of Family Life. She focuses on the one and helps to elevate faculty and staff to be their best selves and develop their passions,” Child stated.
Marjorie Pay Hinckley Awards
Marjorie Pay Hinckley Early Career Faculty Award
Peter Reschke – Family Life
“Peter is excellent at all he does,” said Child. “He does public scholarship, and he's been incredibly successful at publishing in the very best peer-reviewed outlets in his field — almost all of it with students. He's both rigorous and caring in the classroom, and he consistently builds bridges in his department.”
Paul Stavast – Anthropology
“Paul is tireless in his work at the Museum of Peoples and Cultures and finds creative ways to engage students in every aspect of his work there,” Child remarked. “During the previous year he facilitated a ceremony to reconnect a kava bowl with the Tongan family who donated it and was awarded a Distinguished Service Award from the American Alliance of Museums.”
FHSS Awards
Excellence in Student Mentoring Staff Award
Tom Pittman – Computing Services
“Tom does many things, but today we recognize him for his outstanding record of mentoring students in Computing Service. He does more than employ them. He collaborates with them, gives them real responsibilities, and is invested in preparing them for a future beyond Computing Services,” Child said.
Dean’s Platinum Service Award
Sherami Jara – Liberal Arts Advisement and Careers
“Sherami is innovative and pragmatic, visionary and relatable. She's led and continues to lead the college in its efforts to provide excellent support to our students with a special focus on helping them prepare for graduate school and careers,” Child said.
Early Career Staff Awards
Hailey Sanders – Anthropology
“Hailey creates an environment of belonging at the museum through her welcoming presence, concern for others, and ability to remember people,” said Child.
Tricia Schuetzler – Civic Engagement
“Tricia has brought excellent energy and organization to BYU Civic Engagement and has helped to build the minor significantly. She strives consistently to bring in high-quality speakers to bless our campus community and help students learn about peacemaking and civic engagement,” Child stated.
Excellence in Service Staff Awards
Aaron Barnes – Computing Services
“We've asked Aaron to do a million different things, and he always does them cheerfully and competently,” Child said. “He now manages the college's software licensing needs. It's a huge undertaking, and he does it well.”
Janet Foslom – Gerontology
“Janet has served consistently over the Gerontology Program for years, and has been instrumental in its great success,” Child noted. “She is an excellent mentor to students and a foundation for the program, providing stability and expertise that helps it to thrive.”
Civic Engagement Award
Cole Hooley – Social Work
“Cole’s ability to be a masterful teacher and leader on campus has not hindered his ability to engage in his civic responsibilities as a Lindon community city council member. We recognize him for his enthusiastic relationship building skills and for being a role model in the community he serves,” said Child.
Early Career Faculty Award
Ethan Busby – Political Science
“Ethan’s mission-inspired scholarship on peacemaking and AI is published in highly selective venues, books and top-journal publications, all while being very collaborative and involving students,” said Child. “He is a great professor, colleague, and citizen, always aiming to support those in need.”
Excellence in Mentoring Award
Becky Schulthies – Anthropology
“Becky has a record of distinctive and sustained mentoring of students, including leading annual field schools in Morocco, where BYU students work collaboratively on research projects with Moroccan university students,” said Child. “Students admire how seamlessly she blends secular and spiritual learning.”
Innovation in Mentoring Award
Suzanne Adams – History
"Suzanne directs the Center for Family History and Genealogy and, as part of that work, mentors hundreds of students formally and informally on multiple mission-inspired projects,” Child remarked.
Achievement in Mentoring Award
Scott Baldwin – Psychology
"Scott is a highly sought out teacher and mentor, has numerous student co-authored publications, and has been a reliable director of the clinical psychology program where he has the opportunity to shepherd numerous graduate students through a challenging program,” Child said.
Excellence in Public Scholarship Award
Brenden Rensink – History
“Brenden directs the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies. We are recognizing him for being a pioneer in promoting the public history of the American West, hosting a popular podcast, and directing the Intermountain Histories digital history project,” Child shared.
Excellence in Mission-Inspired Scholarship Award
Sherinah Saasa – Social Work
“Sherinah works with children and families in Zambia and with African immigrants in the United States, exemplifying the college's mission to address root problems and solve complicated global issues from a foundation of faith,” Child stated.
Excellence in Scholarship Impact Award
DJ Gonzales – History
“DJ's new book focusing on Mexican American workers in Southern California is making a significant splash in his discipline and is timely and important. Congratulations to DJ for making such a meaningful impact in your scholarship,” said Child.
Building Faith and Testimony Award
Jenae Nelson – Psychology
“This award recognizes Jenae's research on character and spiritual development across adolescence and emerging adulthood, as well as her willingness to share her story to build the faith of those around her,” Child explained.
Becoming BYU Award
Eric Eide – Economics
"Eric is enthusiastically committed to BYU’s mission. He makes a point of truly knowing each student and engages with them in personal ways. He pairs that warmth with real rigor in the major courses he teaches,” Child said.
Additional Recognition
Experiential Learning Awards
Child described this award as “an annual student-nominated award that recognizes faculty and staff members who facilitated an experiential learning activity that led to the students receiving inspiration.”
Jeff Jackson – Family Life
Students nominated Jackson for excellent on-campus research mentoring
Sarah Coyne – Family Life
Alex Jensen – Family Life
Larry Nelson – Family Life
Students nominated Coyne, Jensen, and Nelson for the highly impactful study abroad experience they provided.
University Service Awards
These acknowledgments were accompanied by University Service Awards to recognize length of service for staff and administrative employees:
- 30 years: Amy Lilly – Computing Services
- 20 years: Carina Alleman – Deans Office
- 15 years: Starlyn Hjorth – School of Family Life, Amy White – Child and Family Studies Laboratory
- 10 years: Aaron Barnes – Computing Services, Jan Christensen – School of Family Life, Arlene Colman – Anthropology, Stefanie Nebeker – Liberal Arts Advisement and Careers
- 5 years: Laura McKeighen – School of Family Life, Amanda Peterson – Liberal Arts Advisement and Careers
Research Photo Competition Awards
The College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences facilitated a research photo competition asking participants to capture photos of their research that also reflect “the vision of college.” Winners were selected from more than 30 submissions for their creativity and dedication. These pieces will be printed and hung for students and faculty to enjoy.
First-Place – Resilient, submitted by Scott Ure, Anthropology.
Archaeology graduate alumna Sylvie Littledale documents the San Diego site in Chihuahua, Mexico — a moment that highlights her determination, resiliency, and rigorous pursuit of knowledge. By combining meticulous documentation with a foundation of faith and grit, Sylvie embodies the spirit needed to uncover truths and address complex human questions across time and space.
Second-Place – Behind the Camera, submitted by Sarah Coyne, School of Family Life.
Research is often recognized by its results, but its impact is built through countless moments like this one. Behind every publication are researchers who prepare, listen, document, and work together to understand people's experiences with care. This image captures the teamwork that often goes unseen — from the interviewer building trust to the researcher behind the camera preserving each conversation and finally to the coder who will code the interaction months later. These quiet moments of collaboration reflect our commitment to pursuing truth through rigorous scholarship while honoring the dignity and worth of every individual we meet.
Third-Place – In Awesome Wonder submitted by Jared Warren, Psychology.
The BYU Positive Psychology Research Team created Awe and Wonder and Nature Engagement training modules and completed two studies examining how these practices can reduce anxiety and strengthen wellbeing.
This work reflected the FHSS mission by joining curiosity, rigorous research, experiential learning, and care for human flourishing. The image combines twelve 25-second exposures to preserve detail while reducing noise. Sunburst Peak stands at the center, the Milky Way rises to the right, and Mount Assiniboine (uh·si·nuh·boyn) creates its own weather to the left. The faint green horizon is airglow, a natural emission of light from Earth’s atmosphere. The student’s silhouette, framed by his headlamp, offers a human scale for the immensity around him.
Congratulations to these award recipients in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences and a heart full of gratitude to all the unsung heroes who consistently perform their responsibilities in a consecrated manner.