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Each year, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies recognizes excellence in the community. The distinct privilege of recognition is granted in accordance with award descriptions, and nomination and selection processes outlined by the SCPS Awards Committee. For additional details you may write to
SCPSAwards@depaul.edu.
SCPS Excellence Awards 2025
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
Kamilah Cummings, MS
In support of this university’s core mission, which places the highest priority on programs of instruction and learning, the Quality of Instruction Council presents the annual DePaul University Excellence in Teaching Awards. The awards recognize significant achievement in teaching and a commitment to the university’s teaching mission. This year's recipient will be recognized at the Fall Academic Convocation.
LIFELONG LEARNING AWARD
Rachel Rice, MA, PHR (BA 2012 SCPS); MA (LA&S 2015)
Awarded annually to an SCPS community member who demonstrates SCPS's values and is a lifelong learner who best exemplifies any of the following: innovation, results oriented, engagement across sectors and disciplines; community building, social inclusion, justice, conflict resolution, spirituality, and demonstrates a love of learning that contributes to humanity's holistic development. This recognition honors an individual's unwavering commitment and dedication to the love of learning, mentoring, and teaching.
THE WEINBERG MEMORIAL PRIZE: INSPIRING A LEGACY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EQUITY
Melissa Palacios
Integrative Learning Project: “Slavery and Abolition in Illinois”
The Weinberg Memorial Prize is awarded each spring by SCPS at DePaul University to an undergraduate, a graduate, or both. Named in honor of Arthur Weinberg, a writer from Chicago and a former SCPS teacher, the award aims to permanently commemorate and exemplify the spirit of Weinberg's work and life. It brings history to life through creativity, critical thinking, intellectual vitality, and a focus on social justice and equality.
"To dreams—wild and imaginative; and to the men and women who dare to dream them." -Passport to Utopia.
STUDENT EXCELLENCE
The Student Excellence Awards recognizes academic work that makes original contributions to its field of study, articulates a clear perspective on core issues, and engages with the topic through a multidimensional and critical lens. Honored projects demonstrate intellectual rigor and are further distinguished by their creativity, clarity, analytical depth, and overall quality of presentation.
Fernando Aguirre
Experiential Learning Practicum: "Autumn Garden Care: Effective Soil Enhancement Techniques Portfolio"
Justin Carrillo
Experiential Learning Practicum: "Mindfulness Through Nature Photography"
Shonda Cromwell-Rashad
Graduate Capstone Project: "Workforce Readiness: Bridging the Skills Gap to Increase Employability in the 21st Century"
Christian Allen Fernandez
Graduate Capstone Project: "Flexible Work Arrangements: Playbook for People Managers"
Samantha Goga
Graduate Capstone Project: "Transforming Challenges Into Triumphs: A Parenting Support Group"
Alex Gray
Experiential Learning Practicum: "Learning to Play the Bagpipes: An Experiential Learning Journey"
Thomas Kaminski
DCM Capstone Project: "Supply Chain Resilience: A Proposal for Innovative Evolution"
Anna Schultz
Graduate Capstone Project: "Redefining Leadership Through Quiet Strength: A Guide to Empowering Introverted Leaders in Modern Organizations"
Kristin Tyler
DCM Capstone Project: "Exploring Trends in End-of-Life Care Research: Analyzing the Stigma Surrounding Hospice Care and Its Impact on Comfort Measures"
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) projects enable students to demonstrate college-level knowledge gained through their professional and personal experiences. Upon successful completion, these projects are awarded academic credit, each representing a significant achievement and a testament to the student’s skills and dedication. Every year, students submit PLA projects that not only fulfill the criteria for credit but also exemplify excellence in academic writing and scholarly rigor. The Office of Prior Learning Assessment (OPLA) proudly recognizes these exceptional submissions with the PLA Excellence Award, honoring projects that surpass expectations in both content and execution.
Melissa Chibucos
Changing My Belief System: A Journey through Sexual Morality and the Catholic Church
Dorian Romanowski
Moments of Decision: Journey through Professional Ethics from Lifesaving to Lifelong Dreams
Ryan McDonough
Active Citizens
Robb Blackburn
Faith, Family
TRANSFORMATION IN LEARNING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
In recognition of meaningful growth through transformative adult learning, demonstrating broadened awareness and critical reflection. This award is made possible through the generous support of the Mason Parson's Fund.
- Margaret Corcoran
- Christian Allen Fernandez
- Leslie Guzman
- Sheniece McKinnon
- Anna Schultz
- Darletta Scruggs
- Tristan Villalobos
- Khrystyna Vivsyana
ALPHA SIGMA LAMBDA HONOR SOCIETY, SCPS CHAPTER DELTA LAMBDA PI
Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL), the premier national honor society for nontraditional adult students, celebrates academic excellence and leadership among adult learners in higher education. Founded in 1945, ASL recognizes the exceptional achievements of adult students who pursue academic success while balancing the demands of family, community, and work.
The SCPS chapter of ASL, Delta Lambda Pi – “DePaul Leaders and Professionals,” was established in February 2002. Since its founding, the chapter has proudly inducted over 957 undergraduate SCPS students who exemplify academic achievement, leadership, and perseverance.
For more information about ASL at SCPS, please contact Darletta Scruggs, Vice President, at AlphaSigmalambda_SCPS@depaul.edu.
2025 New Members
- Maria Biszewski
- Karla Lorena Cardenas-Bonilla
- Blair Carlson
- Christina Castro
- Peter Hernandez
- Marisol Herrera
- Shekita Parker
- Kim Somang
- Maria Taylor
- Chanel Turner
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY HR STAFF RECOGNITION
The DePaul University HR Staff Recognition Award Program is designed to recognize and reward distinctive and exceptional achievements that go above and beyond an employee's core job duties and significantly contribute to university initiatives, departmental initiatives, student success, enhanced student experience, improved operational efficiency, and exceptional customer service. Congratulations to SCPS staff members:
Elvia Galindo
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Programs
Jamie Kmak
Digital Content Coordinator
Telisa-Robinson-Davis
Assistant Director, Retention
Kenn Skorupa
Associate Director, Undergraduate Programs
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
Corrinne L. Benedetto, PhD
In support of this university’s core mission, which places the highest priority on programs of instruction and learning, the Quality of Instruction Council makes the annual DePaul University Excellence in Teaching Awards. The awards recognize significant achievement in teaching and a commitment to the university’s teaching mission. Dr. Benedetto was recognized at the Fall Academic Convocation on Thursday, August 29, 2024.
THE WEINBERG AWARD: INSPIRING A LEGACY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EQUITY
Tiffany Dean
Integrative Learning Project: “Slavery and Abolition in Illinois”
The Weinberg Award is offered each spring by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at DePaul University to an Undergraduate, Graduate, or both. Named in honor of Arthur Weinberg, Chicago writer, and former SNL (now SCPS) teacher, the awards are intended bringing intended to permanently commemorate and exemplify the spirit of Weinberg's' work and lives - bringing history history alive, creatively, critically, with intellectual vitality and emphasis on social justice and equality!
STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Student Excellence Awards are granted based on novel contributions to the field, definitive perspectives on central issues, examination of diverse dimensions of the topic, and memorable expressions of content.
Hector Alejandre-Gonzalez
DCM Capstone Project: "Chicago's Overworked Police Officers"
Amy Alexander
Experiential Learning Practicum: "Exploring Healing for My Hip Diagnosis"
Christine Casale
Integrative Learning Project: “Ban the Box: Equal Employment Opportunities for Ex-Offenders”
Angelique Nieves
Experiential Learning Practicum: "Learning Spanish"
Billy Oliveros
Graduate Capstone Project: "Excessive Screen Time and Family Relationships"
Justin Quaglia
DCM Capstone Project: "Transparency in the Government"
Agnieszka (Agnes) Smithey
Graduate Capstone Project: "Organizational Engagement Risk Assessment"
Henry Vazquez, Jr.
Graduate Capstone Project: "The Effects of Parental Leave On Active Members of The FOP Lodge 7"
Cesar Villalobos
DCM Capstone Project:"Impact of Pet Ownership on Mental, Physical and Emotional Health"
Erin Watt
Integrative Learning Project:"Right to Repair: E-Waste: A Plan to Address Inequity"
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) projects allow students to demonstrate college-level learning they have gained from their professional and personal lives. Successful PLA projects are awarded credit. Each successful project is an accomplishment and a testament to capability of each student. Each year students submit PLA projects which are not only successful but which also demonstrate excellence in writing and academics. The Office of Prior Learning Assessment acknowledges these PLA projects that exceed expectations with the PLA Excellence Award.
Jillian Dirks
BADM 334: "Human Resource and Talent Development Fundamentals for Managers"
Mary Miraflores
BADM 203: "Sales and Marketing"
Jeffrey Roth
BADM 334: "Human Resource and Talent Development Fundamentals for Managers"
SCPS CHAPTER OF ALPHA SIGMA LAMBDA HONOR SOCIETY
Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL), the Premier National Honor Society for Nontraditional Adult Students, "First in Scholarship and Leadership," is an honor society that partners with colleges and universities to celebrate the scholarship and leadership of adult students in higher education. The honor society was founded in 1945 to "recognize the special achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests of family, community, and work.” The SCPS Chapter, Delta Lambda Pi, DePaul “Leaders and Professionals” was established in February 2002. Reach out to AlphaSigmalambda_SCPS@depaul.edu for more information.
2024 New Members
- Christie Allen
- Jillian Dirks
- Thomas Kaminski
- Angelique Nieves
- Vladimir Perepelicenko
- Eva Rodriguez
- Tristan Villalobos
- Tracy Wright
LIFELONG LEARNING AWARD
Patrizia Acerra
The Lifelong Learning Award is granted to lifelong learners who best evidence any among the following: innovation, results-orientation, and engagement across sectors and disciplines, involvement in community building, social inclusion and justice, conflict resolution and spirituality. Most of all, evidence a love of learning that contributes to mankind’s holistic development.
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
Lori Neblung
In support of placing the highest priority on programs of instruction and learning, the Quality of Instruction Council bestows annual DePaul University Excellence in Teaching awards. This award reflects dedication, teaching effectiveness, and the endorsement of students and colleagues. Excellence in Teaching Awards will be recognized at Academic Convocation this fall.
STAFF APPRECIATION AWARD
John Hemmerling
The Staff Appreciation Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to SCPS. Staff Appreciation awards honor the staff member who exemplifies the spirit and values of SCPS, demonstrates work above and beyond expectations, innovative practices, and Vincentian Personalism.
GERALD PAETSCH ADVISING AWARD
Scott Gabbert
The Gerald Paetsch Advising Award recognizes members of the university community who demonstrate excellence in advising undergraduate and graduate students.
STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Student Excellence Awards are granted based on novel contributions to the field, definitive perspectives on central issues, examination of diverse dimensions of the topic, and memorable expressions of content.
Moji Akinde
Reserch Methods: "Leadership Gender Diversity and Business Performance"
Summer Alexander
Research Methods: "The Impact of Workplace Discrimination on lack Women Leaders"
Daniel C. Buranosky
Capstone Project: “Advocating for Environmentally Sustainable Practices in United States' Small-To Medium-Sized Enterprises”
Alan Gutnov
Research Methods: "Leadership Theory Research Proposal"
John Houlihan
Capstone Project: "The relation between supply chain industry and the COVID-19 pandemic and other disruptors"
Patrick Opalacz
Research Methods: "Successful Anti-Political Corruption Solutions"
Mary Katherine Pryce
Capstone Project: "Choose Adventure: A Story to Inspire"
Eduardo Rivera
Research Methods: "How Changes in The Accounting Profession Are Impacting Ownership Models"
Alexandra Wurpts
Research Methods: "Beyond Virtue Signaling: Corporate Social Responsibility that Supports Hiring Initiatives"
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) projects allow students to demonstrate college-level learning they have gained from their professional and personal lives. Successful PLA projects are awarded credit. Each successful project is an accomplishment and a testament to capability of each student. Each year students submit PLA projects which are not only successful but which also demonstrate excellence in writing and academics. The Office of Prior Learning Assessment acknowledges these PLA projects that exceed expectations with the PLA Excellence Award.
Summer Alexander
"Implementing Onboarding Training in a Remote Work Environment"
Samuel Axon (2)
"Narrative design approaches: Identifying and contrasting branching narrative and the string of pearls"
"Game Jam Classroom: Learning Collaboratively in Game Development"
Beth Bond
"Recognize, Reconnect, Rebuild: A strategy to leverage The Great Reassessment as an opportunity to redefine corporate training programs and our relationships with work"
John Boveri
"From the Well to the Faucet"
Lalita Johnson
"Hay Public Art"
David Grangaard
"Prior Learning Assessment – DCM 302"
Laura Fierro (2)
"Stained Glass as A Work of Art"
"Deontology and Utilitarianism"
Anntoinette Thompson
"Ethical Business Behavior - CCH 359/BADM 359"
Tear Ward
"Breast Cancer"
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD
Douglas Murphy
In support of placing the highest priority on programs of instruction and learning, the Quality of Instruction Council bestows annual DePaul University Excellence in Teaching awards. This award reflects dedication, teaching effectiveness, and the endorsement of students and colleagues. Excellence in Teaching Awards will be recognized at Academic Convocation this fall.
LIFELONG LEARNING AWARD
Jill O’Mahony Stewart
The Lifelong Learning Award is granted to lifelong learners who best evidence any among the following: innovation, results-orientation, and engagement across sectors and disciplines, involvement in community building, social inclusion and justice, conflict resolution and spirituality. Most of all, evidence a love of learning that contributes to mankind’s holistic development.
WEINBERG MEMORIAL PRIZE
Inna Mykoliuk
Leadership for Social Change: “Ban the Address Movement”
Nominating Faculty: Dr. Susanne Dumbleton, Professor Emerita
The Weinberg Memorial Prize is offered each spring by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at DePaul University. Named in honor of Arthur and Lila Weinberg, Chicago writers and former School for New Learning teachers, the awards are intended to permanently commemorate and exemplify the spirit of the
Weinberg’s work and lives, which bring history alive, creatively, critically, with intellectual vitality and emphasis on social justice and equality.
STAFF APPRECIATION AWARD
Elvia Nieto Galindo
The Staff Appreciation Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to SCPS. Staff Appreciation awards honor the staff member who exemplifies the spirit and values of SCPS, demonstrates work above and beyond expectations, innovative practices, and Vincentian Personalism.
STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Student Excellence Awards are granted based on novel contributions to the field, definitive perspectives on central issues, examination of diverse dimensions of the topic, and memorable expressions of content.
Joanne Fakhouri
AP Ethics Project: “Ethics in the Media”
Nominating Faculty: Veronica ‘Roni” Buckley, Ed.D.
Klaudia Zylinska
Capstone Project: “Magnificent Mile: Permanent Civilian-Vehicle Traffic Closure”
Nominating Faculty: Dr. Corinne Benedetto, Professor Emerita
Leanne Moy
Integrative Learning Project: “Plan to Address Present Inequity”
Nominating Faculty: Dr. Susanne Dumbleton, Professor Emerita
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) projects allow students to demonstrate college-level learning they have gained from their professional and personal lives. Successful PLA projects are awarded credit. Each successful project is an accomplishment and a testament to capability of each student. Each year students submit PLA projects which are not only successful but which also demonstrate excellence in writing and academics. The Office of Prior Learning Assessment acknowledges these PLA projects that exceed expectations with the PLA Excellence Award.
Beatriz Camino
Claire Van Der Vort
James McCather
Ma'ayan Simon
Robert Ashurst
Roxanne Warren-Leahy
Ryan Hermes
Sarah DeLassus Carson