The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents has announced the recipients of the 2025 Regents’ Awards, recognizing outstanding faculty and staff at NSHE institutions. The Board also awarded the Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship, honoring nine exceptional students for their academic achievements, leadership, and service to their communities.
Formerly known as the Regents’ Scholar Award, the “Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship” was renamed in memory of Regent Sam Lieberman who passed away in 2020. Each recipient will receive a $5,000 stipend funded by the Nevada System of Higher Education System Administration. The honorees include Olufemi Erinoso (UNR – Graduate), Riley Gillis (UNR – Undergraduate), Giovanni Jones (CSN), Dru MacKay (WNC), Sophia Roman (TMCC), Karissa Sena-Fadenrecht (GBC), Nicole Thomas (UNLV – Graduate), Celeste Velasquez (NSU – Undergraduate), and Eden Wolde (UNLV – Undergraduate).
The Board of Regents’ Outstanding Classified Staff Award recognizes a full-time classified staff member for distinguished service in support of their institution. This year’s honoree is Lisa (Scottie) Lockrem from TMCC, who will receive a $3,000 stipend.
Established in 1993, the Nevada Regents’ Creative Activities Award honors significant creative accomplishments that bring national and international recognition to NSHE. The 2025 honorees are Andrezej (Andrew) Lenard from CSN and Dr. Jennifer Bellor from UNLV.
The Nevada Regents’ Teaching Award recognizes outstanding instructional contributions within NSHE since its inception in 1996. This year’s recipients are Dr. Megan Lahti from TMCC, Dr. Brandon Eddy from UNLV, and Dr. Melissa Morris from UNLV.
The Nevada Regents’ Academic Advisor Award honors outstanding academic advising since it was established in 1998. The 2025 honorees are Tara Connolly from TMCC, Dr. Han-Fen Hu from UNLV, and Malia Mitooka-Ferranto from UNR.
Since its establishment in 1992, the Nevada Regents’ Researcher Award recognizes faculty members with substantial research accomplishments and a significant record of grants and scholarly work. This year’s honorees are Dr. Zhaohuan Zhu from UNLV, Dr. Vladimir Pravosudov from UNR, and Dr. Monica K. Miller from UNR.
Renamed in honor of Regent Emeritus Jason Geddes in 2024, the Nevada Regents’ Rising Researcher Award recognizes early-career faculty members for their research accomplishments since it was first awarded in 2008. The 2025 awardees include Dr. Kavita Batra from UNLV, Dr. Joanna Blaszczak from UNR, Dr. Youngae Choi from NSU, Dr. Pengbo Chu from UNR, Dr. Thessa Hilgenkamp from UNLV, Dr. Li Ke from UNR, Dr. André Lindsey from NSU, Dr. Jamie L. Palmer-Asemota from NSU, Dr. Nicole A Short from UNLV, and Dr Kristin VanderMolen at DRI.