College faculty, staff, and graduate student recognized during 2025 Honors Week
Every year, the University of Georgia celebrates the successes of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni in a series of events during Honors Week.
This year, two faculty members, a staff member, and a graduate student in the Mary Frances Early College of Education were recognized for their accomplishments in both the classroom and the local community.
The honors range from scholarship and graduate education awards to the Josiah Meigs Teaching Professorship, the University’s highest recognition for instruction at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Meigs Teaching Professor:
Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship: Gayle Andrews, professor and graduate coordinator, Department of Educational Theory and PracticeGraduate Faculty and Staff Awards:
- Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate Education: Jennifer Brown, professor and graduate coordinator, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education
- Dean’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate Education: Katrina Neidlinger, student affairs professional II, Department of Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
This award reflects the many positive ways in which recipients have impacted the graduate community, both in their department and at UGA more broadly.
Since 2020, Brown has served as a graduate coordinator for her department, which includes a large and complex graduate landscape across three program areas containing multiple specializations and more than 15 graduate programs of study.
“I’m honored to receive this award because it is a great recognition of our department and College’s commitment to providing quality graduate education,” said Brown. “It is rewarding to find ways to support graduate student success—from direct student recruitment, retention, and mentoring efforts to developing systems and processes for faculty and students to ensure important deadlines are met and milestones are accomplished.”
Neidlinger coordinates admissions and enrolled student services for graduate programs offered on UGA campuses in Athens, Griffin, and online. She works as a liaison between faculty, the graduate school, program applicants, and enrolled students, providing unwavering support and guidance from time of application to graduation.
“What makes this award so meaningful is that it acknowledges not only my achievements, but also the profound influence I’ve had on others’ growth and development,” said Neidlinger. “Whether through mentoring students, helping shape academic experiences, or contributing to the overall graduate community, this award signifies that my contributions have made a tangible difference in the lives of those around me.”
Graduate Student Award:
- Graduate Engaged Scholarship Award: Christina Novelli, doctoral candidate, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education
Novelli conducts school-based research with single-case and experimental methodologies, like eye-tracking, to examine reading comprehension processes. She has collaborated on multiple large-scale research projects, including an Institute of Education Sciences exploration grant.
“Being recognized is an incredible honor that represents the values I hold as a scholar—building meaningful, reciprocal partnerships that connect research with the needs of schools,” said Novelli. “This recognition underscores the importance of bridging theory and practice through outreach, engaged research, and collaborative efforts. It means a great deal to know that UGA values my efforts to conduct research that is not only rigorous, but also responsive and relevant to community challenges.”
Honors Week at UGA began in the 1930s when then-Chancellor S.V. Sanford set aside a day to recognize exemplary students. The event expanded to a full week in 2011 to include events recognizing faculty, staff, and alumni.