Connecticut Board of Regents Names Annual 2025–2026 Faculty Award Recipients

The Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education (BOR) named 16 Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) faculty members as recipients of the annual 2025–2026 Board of Regents Faculty Awards.

The awards, which recognize CSCU faculty for excellence in teaching or research, are given to assistant and associate professors in tenure-track or tenured positions and adjunct faculty members. These faculty have distinguished themselves as outstanding teachers; are doing exceptional research, scholarly, and creative work in the classroom; and promote instructional improvements for their departments.

Campus-based award categories include teaching, research, and scholarly excellence throughout the CSCU system of six institutions. Individual faculty in each campus-based award category may also be recognized with system-wide awards in teaching, research, and scholarly excellence. Adjunct faculty are also recognized by a system-level award.
“Our faculty play a vital role in advancing student success across our colleges and universities system,” said Dr. Aynsley Diamond, CSCU Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. “This year’s award recipients exemplify the very best of CSCU through their outstanding teaching, research, and creativity. Their dedication enriches our institutions and leaves a lasting impact on the students they serve. We are proud to recognize their achievements with this well-deserved honor.”

“Our faculty award recipients represent the dedication and academic excellence that define our colleges and universities,” said Regent Ira Bloom, Chair of the Board of Regents’ Academic and Student Affairs Committee. “Through their teaching, research, and scholarship, they inspire students, strengthen their institutions, and make a meaningful impact across our system. We are honored to recognize their outstanding contributions.”

The 2025–2026 Board of Regents award recipients are:

System-wide Board of Regents Teaching Award (Connecticut State Universities)

• Dr. Racheal Pesta
  Associate Professor, Criminology and Sociology
  Eastern Connecticut State University

Campus-based Board of Regents Teaching Awards (Connecticut State Universities)

• Ms. Christie Maturo, Esq.
  Associate Professor, Theatre
  Central Connecticut State University
• Dr. Jehoon Jeon
  Associate Professor, Business Administration
  Eastern Connecticut State University
• Dr. Patricia Bode
  Associate Professor, Art and Design
  Southern Connecticut State University
• Dr. April Moreira
  Associate Professor, Social Work
  Western Connecticut State University

System-wide Board of Regents Teaching Award (Connecticut State Community College)

• Dr. Marcia Tinone
  Associate Professor, Chemistry
  CT State Tunxis

Campus-based Board of Regents Teaching Awards (Connecticut State Community College)

• Professor Sue-Ann Lallay
  Assistant Professor/Psychology
  CT State Housatonic
• Professor Aja Shabana 
  Associate Professor/Mathematics
  CT State Middlesex

System-wide Board of Regents Research Award (Connecticut State Universities)

• Dr. Miriah M. Russo Kelly
  Associate Professor, Environment, Geography, and Marine Science
  Southern Connecticut State University

Campus-based Board of Regents Research Awards (Connecticut State Universities)

• Dr. Silvia Corbera Lopez
  Associate Professor, Psychological Science
  Central Connecticut State University
• Dr. Bryan Connolly
  Associate Professor, Biology
  Eastern Connecticut State University

System-wide Board of Regents Scholarly Excellence Award (Connecticut State Community College)

• Dr. Nutan Mishra
  Assistant Professor, Sociology and Anthropology
  CT State Middlesex

Campus-wide Board of Regents Scholarly Excellence Award (Connecticut State Community College)

• Mr. Jonathan Braverman 
  Associate Professor, Computer Engineering
  CT State Gateway
• Ms. Yvette Onye 
  Assistant Professor, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  CT State Three Rivers

System-wide Board of Regents Adjunct Faculty Teaching Awards

• Ms. Linda Dalpe
  Adjunct Professor, Spanish
  CT State Asnuntuck
• Dr. Danielle King
  Adjunct Professor, African American Studies
  Western Connecticut State University