Academic year closes with 7 faculty, staff awardees

Seven faculty and staff members received University and Board of Regents awards at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year, representing the best of excellence in teaching and service to the Eastern community.

“Our faculty and staff are the driving force behind our students’ success,” said Eastern President Karim Ismaili. “This year’s award recipients exemplify excellence in teaching, scholarship, creative activity, and service. Their work inspires our students, strengthens our campus, and advances the University’s mission."

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Cheryl Wilson added, “Faculty work is multifaceted, sometimes contradictory, and often invisible. All the awardees have demonstrated a deep commitment to teaching, scholarship, creative work, and innovation that is helping to move the institution forward.”

2026 Distinguished Professor of the Year: Xing Liu

Xing Liu, professor and associate chair of education, received Eastern’s Distinguished Professor of the Year Award, presented annually to a faculty member who exemplifies academic excellence in teaching, devotion to scholarship, and service to the University.

Liu has published two books focusing on advanced statistical models. He has also published articles that have been recognized among the most popular papers published in the “Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods.”

Liu has collaborated with Eastern colleagues on various research projects. He has integrated his research work into his curriculum, developing two statistics courses for Eastern’s graduate program in applied data science. Additionally, Liu is a past recipient of the University’s Excellence in Creative and Scholarly Activity Award.

“Xing Liu is truly unique in his well-rounded excellence ,” wrote education Professor Sudha Swaminathan, director of the Center for Early Childhood Education, in her letter of nomination for Liu.

“I love teaching and am deeply committed to student growth and success,” wrote Liu. “When I see my students’ smiling faces at commencement each year, I know all my hard work is truly worthwhile. ... The Distinguished Professor award is not only a recognition of my past work but also a starting point.”

2026 CSCU BOR Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching: Racheal Pesta

Criminology and sociology Professor Racheal Pesta was recognized by the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Board of Regents as a full-time faculty member who has demonstrated at least five years of teaching excellence and at least two years of promoting educational improvements for her department.

“Dr. Pesta is a creative, innovative professor who successfully creates courses and classroom environments appealing to even the most school-averse students,” wrote criminology and sociology Professor and Department Chair Theresa Severance in her letter of nomination for Pesta.

“As educators, we have the incredible opportunity to shape the next generation of leaders to be thoughtful, empathetic, and civically engaged,” wrote Pesta. “This award is a reminder that what we do as educators matters.”

2026 Provost’s Award for Leadership and Innovation: Garrett Dancik

Computer science Professor and Department Chair Garrett Dancik resides on the cutting edge of several academic initiatives. He maintains an ongoing interdisciplinary research partnership with education Professor Kwangwon Lee, investigating how to integrate knowledge from each professor’s respective discipline to develop comprehensive solutions to cyberbullying.

Dancik also coordinated Eastern’s recent “Liberal Arts in the Age of AI” colloquium, which examined broad perspectives on the role of artificial intelligence in a modern liberal arts education. The full-day event gave faculty members and students opportunities to discuss the complex issue of AI.

“I am fortunate to be at an institute like Eastern that values and supports innovation and interdisciplinary work; that recognizes the impact that AI is having on education, industry, and society; and that understands the importance of the liberal arts for understanding and navigating these technological changes,” wrote Dancik.

Excellence in Creative and Scholarly Activity: Mark Fabrizi

Education Professor and Department Chair Mark Fabrizi is a prolific author and scholar with five published books to his name since 2016. He also serves as editor for “The Leaflet,” the professional journal of the New England Association of Teachers of English.

“I'm honored to receive the award for Excellence in Creative and Scholarly Activity, particularly because so many Eastern faculty do such high-quality research,” wrote Fabrizi. “I plan to pay forward the generous mentorship and support I have received.”

Excellence in Teaching: Jennifer Leszczynski

Psychology Professor Jennifer Leszczynski was recognized for the high academic standard she maintains while earning consistent, positive feedback from her students. One to always have a strong rapport with her students, she was previously nominated by her students for the 2023 Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award from Eastern’s chapter of the Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology.

Additionally, she has developed a peer mentoring program for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students and has guided many teaching and research assistants.

“I feel incredibly lucky to teach students who continue to inspire me to be enthusiastic, hopeful, and excited to see them thrive in their communities and professional lives going forward,” wrote Leszczynski.

Service to the University: Julie McGowan and John Bazin

Biology Department Secretary Julie McGowan plays a crucial support role on the Curriculum Committee at Eastern. She is essential in coordinating annual events such as her department’s awards ceremony and honor society induction, as well as supporting student programs such as the Eastern Success Scholars.

Associate Registrar John Bazin has served in multiple departments across the University during his more than two-decade career at Eastern. From student affairs to human resources, Bazin has been described as a kind, fair, and steady leader who has taken on added responsibilities and mentored colleagues in his endeavors to serve the campus community.

“I am humbled to receive the Excellence in Service to the University Award and am appreciative of what it represents after 26 years at Eastern,” wrote Bazin. “My hope has always been to try and work with every member of the Eastern community; to best serve the University and its students in the various roles and departments that I have worked in.”