Faculty and staff in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences were recognized with awards on August 27 during the college’s annual Fall Meeting. Honors were given from both the university and the college.
The awards highlighted excellence in teaching, research, mentorship, and other areas of achievement. Faculty and staff were also acknowledged for their contributions to the college’s continued improvement.
The ceremony began with recognition of university-level award recipients, who had been previously acknowledged during the Faculty General Session of BYU’s University Conference. Seven faculty members — Natalie Hancock, Chris Karpowitz, Hayley Pierce, Adam Rogers, Steve Schill, Paul Stavast, and Dawn-Marie Wood — received university awards at the 2025 conference.
University Awards
Karl G. Maeser Excellence in Teaching Award
Christopher F. Karpowitz — Political Science
According to the University Conference program, this award honors faculty members for outstanding teaching accomplishments. Of Karpowitz, the program states, “His inspiring instruction transforms student learning; he consistently challenges students while being accessible and supportive. Students praise his ability to teach complex topics simply while facilitating meaningful discussions across diverse political viewpoints.”
Karl G. Maeser Professional Faculty Excellence Award
Natalie Hancock — Family Life
Hancock is director of the family and consumer sciences education program in the School of Family Life. As such, she “has led a significant three-year curriculum overhaul — enhancing the major’s quality and alignment with Utah State Board of Education standards. Her leadership has led to the creation of new courses, a state-approved teaching minor (the first of its kind nationally), and more efficient pathways to licensure for students,” the University Conference program notes.
Adjunct Faculty Excellence Award
Steven R. Schill — Geography
“Schill is so dedicated to his research that he flies back and forth from [his professional work in] the Caribbean to teach — his commitment is unmatched,” says Associate Dean Mikaela Dufur, who announced the awards. In his 16 years as adjunct faculty, he has taught a wide range of courses, attracting student from diverse academic backgrounds.
Early Career Scholarship Award
Hayley Pierce — Sociology
“Pierce’s scholarship focuses on at-risk groups, including those with adverse childhood experiences, mothers in sub-Saharan Africa, and unaccompanied migrant children,” says Dufur.
Early Career Teaching Award
Adam A. Rogers — Family Life
“Rogers has had great success in teaching challenging topics in development and gender,” states Dufur. He is known for his ability to blend academic rigor, spirituality, and personal connection in the classroom.
Wells P. and Myrle L. Cloward Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship
Dawn-Marie G. Wood — Psychology
“Wood is known for her success in teaching challenging topics in development and gender and for being the go-to for everyone looking to be a better teacher in those areas,” explains Dufur. Wood also directs the Psychology Department’s mentored-research program.
Experiential Learning Award
Paul Stavast — Museum of Peoples and Cultures
Recipients of this award from the office of Experiential Learning & Internships at BYU are nominated by students, and several students chose to nominate Stavast for his pivotal role as a mentor who helped them receive inspiration or personal revelation in their work and lives. “Stavast mentors about 20 students annually, guiding them through hands-on museum experiences with over a million artifacts — his work is a model for experiential learning,” says Dufur. Stavast was selected for the award for facilitating a culminating learning experience and campus engagement experience.
College Awards
Becoming BYU Award
Rick Miller — Family Life
This award is given to an exemplary member of the college whose career and citizenship are reflective of BYU's unique mission as the prophetically directed university of prophecy. “Miller has shaped Marriage and Family Therapy for over 35 years through research, mentorship, leadership, and national recognition,” Dufur says.
Mary Lou Fulton Awards
Pre-CFS Awards
Melissa Alcaraz — Sociology
Alcaraz's research focus lies at the intersection of family, migration, and education with particular interest in the effect of adverse childhood experiences.
Cacey Farnsworth — History
Farnsworth's research and teaching interests include family history, colonial Latin America, Iberia, and Atlantic history.
Ashley Fraser — Family Life
The overarching goal of Fraser’s research is to understand and support positive development across childhood and adolescence, particularly in contexts of adversity.
Chris Krewson — Political Science
Krewson publishes extensively on the relationship between federal courts, politics, and public opinion.
Ashley LeBaron Black — Family Life
LeBaron Black's research focus is family finance. She has published 33 peer-reviewed articles and is associate editor for the Journal of Family and Economic Issues.
Ashley Larsen Gibby — Family Life
Gibby examines how culture, religion, and identity shape family relationships across global contexts.
Grayson Morgan — Geography
Morgan, who began teaching in Fall 2023, quickly became a student favorite and collaborates on research publications.
Tyson Reeder — History
Reeder is a noted historian of the American Revolution and the author of two major books.
Chelsea Romney — Psychology
Romney teaches across psychology topics and is considered a role model in her department.
Early Career Faculty Awards
Ryan Gabriel — Sociology
Gabriel was honored for balancing transformative teaching with impactful research on race, place, and family.
Chelom Leavitt — Family Life
Leavitt was recognized for her leadership in the study of sexual mindfulness and healthy sexuality within committed relationships.
Civic Engagement Award
Quin Monson — Political Science
“Monson stays connected to politics and uses his networks to create student service opportunities and promote equity. He built the civic engagement program into a statewide model,” Dufur notes.
Martin B. Hickman Awards
Outstanding Scholar Award and Lecture
Brigham Frandsen — Economics
“Frandsen maintains a high‑impact research agenda and produces work that advances empirical econometrics and statistical methods; join us for his Hickman Lecture in winter semester,” Dufur invites.
Belonging Award and Lecture
Gordon Limb — Social Work
“For over 16 years, Limb has elevated research in Social Work, developed an MSW research track, and guided the school through change, ensuring stability and progress,” Dufur shares.
Excellence in Teaching Award
Evan Ward — History
“Ward’s door is literally always open, his gospel-inspired pedagogy in large world history courses makes him a favorite among undergraduates and a model for his faculty peers,” says Dufur.
Innovation in Teaching Award
Ruth Aguirre — Social Work
“Aguirre managed the day‑to‑day complexities of dozens of internship sites and created an innovative class to better prepare students for professional practice,” Dufur shares.
Achievement in Teaching Award
Jacob Rugh — Sociology
“Rugh is an energetic, student‑centered instructor; he has taught thousands of students in courses noted for their intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, and lasting impact,” Dufur notes.
Excellence in Teaching by a Visiting Faculty Award
Tanner Eastmond — Economics
“Eastmond receives top teaching ratings for being organized, clear, caring, and available — his mentoring in a visiting role made him a standout,” Dufur observes.
Excellence in Citizenship for Collegiality Award
Danny Frost — Family Life
“Frost exudes kindness and thoughtfulness — working to publicize research and engage broader audiences on gospel topics, he embodies the role of peacemaker,” Dufur reflects.
Excellence in Citizenship for Leadership Award
Darren Hawkins — Political Science
“Hawkins sees what needs to be done and does it; he has built a community of scholars and students while juggling important department initiatives,” Dufur adds.
Achievement in Citizenship Award
Mark Showalter — Economics
“Showalter’s long-standing service includes roles as associate dean, department chair, and key contributions to the Wasatch Front Research Data Center,” Dufur highlights.
FHSS Awards
Research Professorship
Dianne Tice — Psychology
Tice’s research explores topics such as self-regulation, humility, self-esteem, and emotion regulation. She was recognized for her sustained scholarly productivity and continued contributions to the field of social psychology.
Early Career Faculty Award
Blake Jones — Psychology
Jones studies how daily routines — such as family mealtimes, bedtime patterns, and media use — relate to children’s health outcomes, including sleep, stress, and obesity.
Early Career Staff Award
Rachel Dial — Dean's Office
Rachel is the college event manager and assistant to the dean. She is expert and fitting everything on our calendar and has up-leveled every event she manages.
Excellence in Mentoring Award
Quinn Mecham — Political Science
“Mecham works closely with students to broaden their understanding of the wider ideas of other countries and their importance to the operation ‘of things both in the heaven and in the earth,’” Dufur says.
Innovation in Mentoring Award
Greg Thompson — Anthropology
“Thompson mentored dozens of anthropology students and those within other majors, including 19 students on a two‑month field school in Seoul, along with other collaborative research efforts,” Dufur remarks.
Achievement in Mentoring Award
Michael Cope — Sociology
“Cope’s extraordinary dedication to student mentoring spans co‑authoring scores of articles with students and guiding them through thesis, Honors, capstone, and Fulton poster projects,” Dufur explains.
Excellence in Impactful Scholarship Award
Jeremy Pope — Political Science
“Pope’s research on political polarization and his American Family Survey have shaped how scholars and the public view American politics globally,” Dufur observes.
Excellence in Mission‑Inspired Scholarship Award
Jeff Hardy — History
“Hardy is an internationally respected historian whose work ties together how spirituality flourishes even in the most trying times and places,” Dufur states.
Excellence in Public Scholarship Award
Brian Willoughby — Family Life
“Willoughby’s nationally recognized research on young adult relationships, marriage, and sexuality has informed public discourse through media, high‑profile publications, and policy contributions,” Dufur shares.
Building Faith and Testimony Award
Alice Childs — Center for Family History & Genealogy
“Childs authors the Center’s weekly ‘Monday Spark’ email, uplifting students and staff with faith‑filled insights and encouragement that inspire a spiritually grounded work tone,” Dufur explains.
Dean's Platinum Service Award
Amy Carlin — Redd Center
Jan Christensen — Family Life
Stephanie Probst — Dean's Office
Excellence in Service Award
David Fawcett — Comprehensive Clinic
Josie Fillmore — History
Starlyn Hjorth — Family Life
Excellence in Student Mentoring Staff Award
Nanci Shumpert — Social Work
Additional Recognition
Lemuel Hardison Redd Jr. Chair in Western American History
Brian Cannon — History
Cannon recently completed his term as department chair and now holds the Lemuel Hardison Redd Jr. Chair in Western American History. This fitting award will support Cannon as he returns to his passion for researching histories related to the American West.
Length of Service Awards
These acknowledgments were followed by the announcement of University Service Awards to recognize length of service for staff and administrative employees:
- 35 years: Cindy Kern — American Heritage
- 10 years: Amy Carlin — Redd Center
- 5 years: Jordan Karpowitz & Stephanie Probst — Dean’s Office
Staff and Administrative Employee Recognition Awards (SAERA)
The ceremony also acknowledged five staff and administrative employees who received a SAERA award over the past year:
- Courtney Collingridge — Dean’s Office
- Jonathan Cook — Liberal Arts Advisement and Careers
- Hailey Holmgren — Family Life
- Duncan Morais — Computing Services
- Stephanie Probst — Dean’s Office
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 an ongoing and consecrated manner.
