Each month, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism and Mass Communications celebrates the hard work and dedication of its community members through four prestigious awards. These honors—Professor of the Month, Student of the Month, Faculty Not Too Shabby Award, and Staff Not Too Shabby Award—are designed to recognize individuals who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to the college. All award winners are nominated through the college's Kudos program, a peer-to-peer recognition initiative that highlights excellence across the CoJMC.
The Professor and Student of the Month awards are voted on by the CoJMC Student Advisory Board and spotlight excellence in teaching and academic achievement. Meanwhile, the Not Too Shabby Awards are voted on by the CoJMC Staff Council, acknowledging faculty and staff who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the college and its students.
The CoJMC announced the following award winners for September:
Student of the Month
Ella Stine
Ella Stine, a junior advertising and public relations major from Omaha, was selected as the Student of the Month after receiving a nomination from Assistant Professor of Practice Dave Remund.
Remund praised Stine’s leadership abilities. “Ella has taken on leadership of UNL PRSSA. For the past two years, UNL has earned Star Chapter status; in other words, the PRSSA chapter here has proven to be among the best in the nation. A daunting legacy for a new president to uphold! However, Ella has worked efficiently with the executive board to develop a robust yet realistic programming schedule for the fall semester,” Remund said. “There is always recalibration necessary after seniors graduate and while new students and transfer students get acclimated to CoJMC. But PRSSA is off to a promising start. Thank you, Ella, for taking charge this year."
Professor of the Month
Valerie Jones, Ph.D.
Valerie Jones, Fred & Gladys A. Seaton Professor and associate professor in advertising and public relations, was selected as the Professor of the Month, after receiving two nominations from colleagues.
Remund also nominated Jones praising Jones’ willingness to step into support the college’s Bateman Competition team. “Valerie has dived in with enthusiasm; I'm already learning from her fresh approach, especially when it comes to recruiting. Very grateful for such a supportive colleague and one who leads with true heart,” Remund said.
Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs Cory Armstrong also recognized Jones’ hard work. “Valerie has been working diligently to set up the SMART-Lab as a UNL Core Facility, even while on leave. She has been managing many of the administrative operations and working on developing a brand. We appreciate her hard work on this project,” Armstrong said.
Staff Not Too Sabby Award
Kaitlin Van Loon
Kaitlin Van Loon, marketing and communications coordinator for the college, was selected as the Staff Not Too Shabby Award winner after receiving a nomination from Jones for her work supporting student programming.
“Kaitlin was fantastic in updating the Bateman webpage and application and in creating and distributing recruitment posters while I'm "out," Jones said. “I so appreciate her willingness to advise, help and create.”
Faculty Not Too Shabby Award
Chris Graves
Chris Graves, Deepe Endowed Chair in Depth Reporting, was selected as the Faculty Not Too Shabby Award winner after receiving a nomination from Associate Professor of Practice Jill Martin. Martin recognized Graves’ commitment to support the development of journalism students in the college.
“As the faculty adviser of UNL's Society of Professional Journalists Chapter, Chris Graves has done a tremendous job with engagement, leadership, membership and cultivating a positive culture,” Martin said. “Her ideas and leadership are helping build something truly exciting. I can't wait to see what SPJ becomes.”
To nominate faculty, staff or students for monthly awards, visit https://journalism.unl.edu/give-kudos/ and submit Kudos.
Congratulations to all of the September award winners for their well-deserved recognition.
