IU Fort Wayne celebrated the achievements and dedication of its faculty and staff during the Third Annual Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration. The event highlighted outstanding contributions across teaching, service, research, and campus engagement, reinforcing the university’s commitment to student success and community impact.
Milestone Service Award
This year’s Milestone Service Award recognized a faculty member for five years of dedicated service:
- Dr. Jamie Rausch, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing — Recipient
Staff Council Awards
Rising Star Award
Recognizing staff within their first three years of service:
Nominees:
- Kyle Holz, Academic Advisor, School of Nursing
- Kara Papaik, Academic Advisor, School of Nursing
- Cristina Ramirez Sanchez, Clinic Coordinator, School of Dentistry
- Morgan Felkner, Assistant Registrar, Enrollment Management
Winner:
- Kyle Holz, Academic Advisor, School of Nursing
Staff Impact Award
Honoring staff who demonstrate exceptional dedication, teamwork, and community impact:
Nominees:
- Catrina Beeny, Academic Advisor, School of Nursing
- Kyle Holz, Academic Advisor, School of Nursing
- Brandon Kuntz, Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Johna Lawens, 21st Century Scholars Coach, Student Success
- Jennifer Mattmuller, Administrative Assistant, School of Nursing
- Kara Papaik, Academic Advisor, School of Nursing
- Katherine Randolph, Part-Time Faculty, School of Dentistry
Winner:
- Johna Lawens, 21st Century Scholars Coach, Student Success
Staff Engagement Award
Recognizing staff who go above and beyond through involvement and leadership:
Nominees:
- Spencer Haber, Assistant Director of Events and Alumni Engagement
- Heather Kintz, Clinical Placement Coordinator, School of Nursing
- Erika Klingler, Coordinator of Clinical Performance & Simulation
- Cristina Ramirez Sanchez, Clinic Coordinator, School of Dentistry
Winner:
- Heather Kintz, Clinical Placement Coordinator, School of Nursing
Faculty Council Awards
Exceptional Adjunct Faculty Award
Nominees:
- Holly Platt, School of Nursing
- Katherine Randolph, School of Dentistry
Winner:
- Holly Platt, School of Nursing
Faculty Excellence in Service Award
Nominees:
- Maria Hines, School of Nursing
- Wilhemina Leeuw, School of Dentistry
Winner:
- Maria Hines, Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award
Nominee:
- David Cunningham
Winner:
- David Cunningham
IU Trustees’ Teaching Award
Recognizing excellence in instruction, mentorship, and educational impact:
Recipients:
- Carly Bennett, Assistant Clinical Professor, School of Health and Human Sciences
- Amanda Wyatt, Lecturer and Practicum Education Coordinator, School of Social Work
Internal Research Grant Recipients
IU Fort Wayne also recognized faculty awarded internal research grants to support innovative scholarly projects:
Awardees and Projects:
- Bengela Bada (School of Dentistry) — Inter-rater Reliability of Calculus Detection Among Dental Hygiene Faculty
- Carly Bennett, John Brinkman, and Aisha-Amina Smiley — First Year Health Science Students’ Clifton Strengths Development: A Qualitative Analysis
- John Brinkman — Stroke Wellness and Coping Skills Group Outcome Study
- Chidiebele Constance Obichi — Impact of Professional Nursing Conferences on Clinical Decision-Making
- Hallel Paraiso — Machine Learning and Neuroimmune Dysregulation in Alzheimer’s Disease
- Kathie Williamson — Interprofessional Leadership Development Study Among Nursing and Dental Students
