President Ad Interim Kenneth W. Freeman announced Yuri Corigan, associate professor of Russian and comparative literature, as the 2024 recipient of the University’s highest teaching honor, the Metcalf Cup and Prize for Excellence in Teaching, during the annual Senior Breakfast.

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President Ad Interim Kenneth W. Freeman named Alexis Perri, associate professor of history, as a recipient of one of the University’s highest teaching honors, the Metcalf Award for Excellence in Teaching, during the annual Senior Breakfast.

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Fallou Ngom, professor of anthropology, was named the recipient of one of the University’s teaching honors, the Provost’s Teacher-Scholar of the Year.

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Daniel Ivey, program administrator for the CAS Writing Program, was named a recipient of the University’s John S. Perkins Award.

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Merav Shohet, associate professor of anthropology, was named a recipient of the 2024 Undergraduate Academic Advising Award.

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Leah Kronenberg, Associate Professor of Classical Studies

Leah Kronenberg’s colleagues describe her as “one of the most skilled and beloved teachers” in the department of Classical Studies. The Gitner Award recognizes professors who exemplify deep and broad skill, effectiveness, impact, and leadership in teaching. Professor Kronenberg embodies these values through her transformative teaching and advising in Classics. 

Kronenberg’s Latin literature courses are popular with all levels of learners. This is in large part due to Kronenberg’s engaging pedagogy. Instead of enforcing the old-school “Grammar-Translation Method,” Kronenberg empowers her students to engage with Latin literature as living texts. Students praise her intelligence, passion, and kindness in their evaluations. One intermediate Latin learner wrote: “Professor Kronenberg is incredibly approachable and teaches with kindness and understanding. She is flexible but still holds her students to a high yet reasonable standard. She doesn’t shame students for asking questions, even if they’re about basic Latin grammar.” An advanced seminar student echoed this sentiment: “Prof. Kronenberg is a genuinely kind professor who wants to help her students. She cares deeply for not only the subject but also her students.”  

Kronenberg has been instrumental in overhauling the Classical Studies curriculum in recent years, opening the department to diverse voices and modern perspectives. For example, her course “Sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome” explores both ancient and modern theories of sexuality and the intersection of sexuality, gender, politics, and social norms. Her course “Sulpicia and her Circle” is similarly intellectually ambitious. This 300-level course is usually the first advanced Latin class students encounter, and professors usually follow the well-beaten path of Virgil, Ovid, and Cicero. Instead, Kronenberg chose to explore the Corpus Tibullianum, which includes six poems by the mysterious female poet Sulpicia—the only complete works written by a woman that have survived from the classical period of Latin literature. In this course, students delve into questions of context, authorship, gender, power, language, identity, and representation. Through her deep care for her subject and her students, Kronenberg has harnessed the inherently interdisciplinary nature of Classical Studies, introducing learners to worlds they never knew existed. 

Alison Carberry, Master Lecturer of Spanish

Alison Carberry’s teaching responsibilities include various Spanish courses, a methodology course for graduate student teaching fellows in Romance Studies, and a Renaissance course in the Core Curriculum. Within Romance Studies, Carberry has revamped 100- and 200-level Spanish classes to be more communicative, identity-conscious and student-centered, increasing program retention and serving as a model for communication-based classes throughout the College. Her students praise her for her dynamic classes in which everyone’s voice is valued. One student writes: “Professor Carberry is truly one of the best professors I’ve ever had. I cannot think of any other class where every student regularly and voluntarily participates, but Professor Carberry’s infectious enthusiasm for the texts and their broader historical context not only helped us comprehensively understand course material but encouraged us to share our perspectives.”  

Another student shares: “Prof. Alison is one of the most compassionate teachers I’ve been fortunate enough to learn from… I am not afraid to take risks on utilizing new language concepts in her class because she is encouraging, constructive, and never punishes us for making genuine mistakes as beginners.”  

Colleagues from a range of departments and offices, including Romance Studies, World Languages and Literature, Core Curriculum, the Writing Program, the Shipley Center, and the Center for Teaching & Learning cite  Carberry as a forward-thinking and inclusive educator. In addition to creating comprehensive virtual lessons and bringing new technology into the language classroom, Carberry has served as a Learn from Anywhere faculty coach and she currently serves as a mentor with the Center for Teaching & Learning as part of their Peer-to-Peer Pedagogical Partner program. A junior faculty member described her mentorship as “eye-opening” and “empowering.”  

The Neu Family Award recognizes faculty who exemplify deep and broad skill, effectiveness, impact, and leadership in teaching. Carberry embodies these values through her innovative and inclusive teaching and advising, both within the Department of Romance Studies and across the University. 

Alexis Courtney, Lecturer of Chemistry

Alexis Courtney is a highly sought after Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry. She started at Boston University in Fall 2020, and her first year was entirely remote. During her first semester, she taught CH 203, an organic chemistry class with 250 undergraduates, most of whom were not chemistry majors. This was already a difficult course to teach without the added barriers and trauma that the pandemic brought. However, Courtney took these unprecedented challenges in stride, and the student evaluations scored her teaching as a remarkable 4.8/5 which, according to her letter of nomination, was “unheard of in the chemistry department.” One of her students stated: “Although this was Dr. Courtney’s first semester she taught like a seasoned veteran” and “The fact that this was her first year teaching amazes me because she truly made me enjoy the class and taught us so well that we all understood the topics/mechanisms.”  

In addition to praising her instruction, students also frequently praise Courtney’s kindness and care for them. One student summed up this sentiment well: “I can see it in Dr. Courtney’s eyes that she cares for the class.” Many of  Courtney’s students remark that she is the best instructor they’ve had at the University, saying “Dr. Courtney is the best professor I’ve had in all 4 years I’ve been in college” and “I have never had a better instructor in my life.” 

Courtney’s innovative course design has transformed the chemistry department’s organic chemistry offerings. She revamped both semesters of organic chemistry, designing new labs and increasing the number of labs from six to ten per semester. Students described the labs as “relevant, manageable, and most of all fun,” igniting their interest in chemistry and research. She also designed an organic chemistry class for nutrition majors, meeting the specific needs and goals of her students and connecting the topics to real world examples.  

Courtney’s research focuses on gamification. The week before organic chemistry exams, she hosts “game nights” on Fridays and Saturdays. Students play creative games to master organic chemistry concepts. Unsurprisingly, the students who attend the game nights do better on their exams. Courtney’s innovative pedagogy and deep care for her students has made organic chemistry, often regarded as inaccessible, relevant and engaging to students across the University. When her manuscript describing these approaches and their benefits on student learning is published in the Journal of Chemical Education, many more students beyond our campus will benefit from her outstanding efforts as well.
 

The Distinction in First Year Undergraduate Education, reflects the crucial importance of supporting our students’ transitions from high school, and enabling them to lay strong academic foundations for deeply engaged learning and high achievement throughout their college careers.

Salima Slimane, Lecturer in Arabic, Coordinator of the Arabic Program

Salima Slimane is a Lecturer in Arabic and serves as the Arabic Program Coordinator in the Department of World Languages and Literatures. In addition, she is always looking to reach students outside of the department. She teaches French courses in Romance Studies, serves as the Arabic advisor for Global House, and leads discussions in African Studies programming. She is on the advisory board for the Islamic Society of BU. She also serves on the Working Group on Muslim and Arab Life and Addressing Islamophobia and Anti-Arab and Anti-Palestinian Harassment to maintain a communicative, safe, and inclusive campus for all members of the University amidst the Israel-Hamas war and its effects on BU’s community. 

Salima is no stranger to leading her community through transition and conflict. She has taken departmental staffing issues and health emergencies in stride with little to no disruption to student learning. Undergraduate students appreciate her personal style of teaching and mentoring. The first year of college can be a tumultuous time, but through strong support systems and effective teaching methods, Salima welcomes her students and sets them up for success. She “engages with the students and is very inclusive” and “creates a welcoming, open environment for students to speak and grow,” according to her students.  

One of Salima’s students wrote of her anxiety coming to BU. She was partially deaf, and she was not sure how she could communicate with her professors at such a large and academically rigorous university, much less learn a new language. Salima went above and beyond to accommodate and empower this student, from ensuring that all video material was captioned to sending voice recordings of vocabulary before every exam. The student went on to be an active member of the College community, even adding an Arabic minor. 

Salima truly goes above and beyond to create inclusive communities of learning. She has included more authentic materials and social justice topics into the department’s curriculum at all levels. Her presentations on inclusive language classrooms and student mental wellbeing are well received on campus and at international conferences. Salima’s MA (from Boston University) is in Special Education, and she is always working to make her language courses more accessible for students facing additional challenges. Put simply, she sees students as they are, with all aspects of their identity, and welcomes them.
 

With the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education, we recognize a member of our faculty whose commitment and contributions to graduate teaching, mentoring and/or program development have significantly raised the quality and impact of post-baccalaureate training in their disciplinary or interdisciplinary fields.

Kimberly Arkin, Associate Professor of Anthropology

Kimberly Arkin is a cultural anthropologist who teaches a variety of undergraduate courses in the Department of Anthropology and the Core Curriculum. Where she truly shines, however, is in her deep commitment to graduate-level education.  

Arkin teaches several key courses in Anthropology’s graduate curriculum, including AN 510, Proposal Writing in the Social Sciences, and AN 703, Anthropological Theory: History and Practice. AN 510 is a crucial course for graduate students, equipping them with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to provide clarity and structure to their projects. A few faculty members teach this course, but students often wait for an opening in Arkin’s class because she is known to follow and support students’ research projects well beyond the end of the course. As Director of Graduate Studies, Arkin makes an effort to get to know every graduate student in the department, and students line up outside her office to speak with her. She sits on the exam committees of the majority of graduate students in Anthropology, and she currently serves on the dissertation committees of at least twelve senior PhD candidates. 

Her students praise her “mastery of theory and methods,” saying “I would not be the scholar I am today if not for her guidance.” She offers her students an incredible level of support: “She is never too busy to meet, to read drafts, to leave extensive comments, to write reference letters.” In addition to going above and beyond as an academic mentor, students also recognize Arkin’s support on a more personal level. “Kimberly has shown herself to be my biggest supporter and confidante,” writes one of her PhD advisees. Another shares: “First, Kimberly trusts me… Second, Kimberly comes to bat for me… Finally, Kimberly respects my projects and ideas.” 

In sum, Arkin’s teaching and mentorship fully exemplify the values represented by the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Education. 

With the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Part-Time Teaching, we honor the very important contributions of a part-time colleague to the educational mission of the College.

Liz Stevens, Lecturer, CAS Writing Program

Elizabeth Stevens is a part-time lecturer in the Writing Program. She is also an active public writer and scholar whose interdisciplinary work spans everything from market trends to Muppets. Over the last twelve years, Elizabeth has taught an incredible 45 sections of BU undergraduates in writing seminars. Semester after semester, she engages a new class of students with relevant and exciting courses. Through classes like the research course “Muppets, Mickey, and Money” and the seminar “Video Game Studies: Past, Present, and Future,” Elizabeth encourages her students to explore topics they are passionate about while developing the writing skills they need to thrive in academic and professional settings.

Student evaluations consistently highlight how welcoming and comfortable Elizabeth’s classes are. Students also praise Elizabeth for her enthusiasm, understanding, and interdisciplinary approach. As one student commented, “Professor Stevens brings us to the academic research field of video games. She allows us to analyze video games from multiple perspectives: business, game theory, scientific research, and psychology. She stimulates our interest well and teaches us how to write scientific papers on the topics we want to explore.”

As a baseline, all courses in the Writing Program aim to teach students transferrable writing skills. Elizabeth is exceptional because she imbues her courses with energy, curiosity, and a keen sense of humor, opening doors to art, literature, economics, coding, and other broad topics that are relevant to her students’ needs and interests. She then equips students with the tools they need to dig and build and explore the world around them.

Part-time lecturers are not required to perform service. However, Elizabeth has served the Writing Program at every level, becoming a pillar of the program’s community over the years. She has served on the editorial board of the program’s journal of student writing, the juror’s panel for the Alumni Writing Awards, the Graduate Writing Fellow search committee, and the part-time lecturer bargaining committee. She has also participated actively in program assessments, shaping the curriculum of the entire Writing Program. Elizabeth’s deep care for her students and her subject go far beyond the job description of a part-time employee, and she is highly deserving of this award.

The Templeton Awards showcase CAS advising at its best. Steve Jarvi’s annual call for nominations from graduating seniors helps identify what students need, what they value, and how skilled and dedicated faculty advisors have made a positive difference in their lives. Recognizing that effective “advising” is not limited to just the formal role of an academic advisor, the College emphasized the value of mentorship when soliciting nominations for the advising awards from the class of 2023.
Kyle Gobrogge, Lecturer, Undergraduate program in Neuroscience

A common theme among Kyle’s nominators was his concern for their well-being beyond the classroom.  One nominator commented that, “Initially, I experienced anxiety about starting late, as my freshman year was online in China. I worried about not having enough time to gain experience and feeling less competitive compared to my peers. However, Dr. G genuinely cared for students’ mental health and valued my feelings. He provided me with valuable information about various research opportunities, including UROP. Taking the time to understand my interests and goals.”  Another student added that, “Dr. G has been a huge help to me in navigating the chaotic pre-health world. He never says no to writing a recommendation letter for anything that I need. He always listens intently and provides detailed and helpful feedback whenever needed… Most importantly, he makes sure he is inclusive of everyone and always wants to make sure students are engaged and involved in their own learning.”  And I think you all would all agree that there’s no better feeling than inspiring students to follow in your footsteps and that was certainly the case for this student who commented that, “Dr. G. has inspired me to begin my own teaching career and I sincerely hope to make him proud one day and become an educator as impactful and kind as him.” 

Margarita Guillory, Associate Professor of Religion and African American & Black Diaspora Studies

A common theme among Templeton award winners, both this year and in previous years, is their ability to inspire students, and that is certainly the case with Margarita.  One of her nominators stated simply that, “Professor Guillory has truly been a light in my life on campus.”  An inspired first-generation student commented that, “She genuinely cares about those she teaches and is one of the most engaging professors I’ve had the privilege of learning from. She pushed forward and advocated for the classes I’ve taken to be used towards both my major and minor, allowing me to complete the requirements of both programs on time. Boston has been a very new and different place for a person with my identities, but somehow Professor Guillory never fails to make me feel right at home. She is a perfect model of what it means to be a wholesome person, outstanding professor, and an amazing advisor.”  

Diane Mello-Goldner, Senior Lecturer, Psychological & Brain Sciences

Another common theme among current and past award winners is their willingness to work with any and all students.  Often, as is the case with Diane, that means working with students who are not assigned advisees.  One of Diane’s nominators noted just that when she stated that, “While she is not my assigned advisor, Dr. Mello-Gardner has been a wonderful mentor to me…She was always available to answer any questions and help guide me through the process of statistical analysis. She even took the time to print and submit our research posters to the New England Psychological Association, earning everyone in the class a research presentation to add to our resumes.”  Continuing that theme another nominator commented that, “While Dr. Diane Mello-Goldner is not my advisor, there is no one else I believe deserves this award more than her. She was pivotal in my personal and professional development at Boston University.”  Finally, another nominator who is not one of Diane’s official advisees offered that she connected with her because, “I heard from her advisees that she was a phenomenal advisor and meets with her students individually to discuss course selection.  In my experience she embodies the qualities of an exemplary advisor, demonstrating unwavering dedication, and empathy in guiding students towards their academic and professional goals.” 

Todd Blute, Imaging Labratory Manager, Biology

Todd directs the Imaging Core and Proteomics Core Facilities in the Department of Biology. He oversees and trains faculty, students, and staff from his own department, as well as from Psychological & Brain Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, in complex imaging processes. One nominator wrote: “Todd is unusually plugged into the community. He is not just a regular but a stalwart at departmental seminars and student presentations where he contributes thoughtful questions and scientific input. I can’t think of a student thesis presentation or work-in-progress seminar where he isn’t acknowledged in the final slide. When I first arrived at BU and noticed this happening, I assumed that it was a polite gesture, but it quickly became clear that it reflected a real contribution. In most of these cases, Todd had made a genuine contribution to moving their individual science forward in some meaningful way.” 

Another nominator added: “Todd has been an invaluable resource to the [biology] department… His skills and experience are critical to the success of our new faculty in their research projects… He has made a major impact in the Biology Department and other life science departments at BU over the past twenty-plus years. He is also dedicated to BU – he is one of our PhD alumni and a parent of two Terriers.” 

Julia Hammer Mendez, Program Manager, Boston University Marine Program

Julia’s nominators spoke very highly of her good character and outstanding contributions to her community. “Simply, the BU Marine Program would not function without Julia,” writes her nominator. In addition to being an exceptional administrator, the nominator noted that she “manages to be there for the students in a very human way”. Under her management, the number of undergraduates in the BU Marine Program (BUMP) has seamlessly doubled from around 50 to over 100. From streamlining administrative processes to managing contingency plans for hurricanes affecting BUMP’s field site in Belize, Julia is truly the anchor of the program and highly deserving of this award. 

Shelby Shipley, Administrative Coordinator, Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders

Shelby’s nominator writes “It is no exaggeration to say that she is the heart of our clinic. Shelby’s incredible work ethic, organization, kindness, and patience make her the go-to for faculty, staff, students, and patients at the clinic when a question arises… In short, she is irreplaceable.” She is dedicated to building a welcoming community at the Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders (CARD). Her nominator shares: “Staff, students, and faculty described Shelby to me as “a joy to work with”, “delightful”, and as having “a tremendously positive attitude, shining light wherever she goes”. 

Faculty Recipient: Lillie Webb, Lecturer in French, Director of BU Global House

Lillie was selected for this award for her efforts to build community in Global House, the Department of Romance Studies, and CAS in general. In their nominations, her colleagues described her as Susan’s “kindred spirit”— a caring, supportive mentor who strengthens every community she is a part of. She has spearheaded the Carrie O’Connor Memorial Fund, co-sponsored a variety of interdisciplinary student events, mentored countless student residents and leaders, and served as a model of inclusive curriculum design. Her work has had a profound impact on BU students and faculty from all walks of life. 

As the founding Director of Global House, she has empowered students to take control of their learning both inside and beyond the classroom. Global House’s diverse living-learning community develops students into citizens of the world, adept at navigating cultural differences. She has helped Global House’s students bridge the gap between the classroom and daily life, as well as the gaps of physical distance and cultural difference, through the co-curricular courses you designed on community and intercultural literacy. The selection committee commends Lillie on recent achievements in the Global House program, including establishing an African languages cluster and hiring a graduate student assistant director. It is clear that Global House continues to flourish as a hub for intercultural community and peer mentorship under her guidance. 

Staff Recipient: Stacy Ulrich, Director, Office of Student Programs & Leadership

Stacy was selected for this award for her efforts to foster community across the College of Arts & Sciences. She has been a dedicated member of OSPL for almost 10 years, and as Director, she has connected, empowered, and strengthened an exceedingly complex community of students, staff, and faculty. One of her nominators shared: “To be frank, it is shocking to me that Stacy hasn’t won this award yet, considering her incredible impact on not just the CAS community, but also the greater BU community. To me, Stacy is a pillar on which CAS stands, and one of the most important members of our community.”

Through managing—and instructing— FY 101 across BU, Stacy is one of the first familiar faces that many freshmen see. She welcomes new students from all over the world and connect them to their new home. This is just the beginning of the care she extends to students. Stacy has guided countless students through their time in CAS, constantly looking for ways to increase student connections and community, from updating orientation, involving student leaders in open houses, leading meetings for executive board members of student groups, and starting new traditions, like CAS’s Charter Day celebrations. She is also a respected mentor to her staff, elevating and guiding those around her to be the best versions of themselves. Stacy’s nominators praised her unmatched energy as an active community builder and an empathetic and inspiring leader. 

Graduate Student Recipient: Bryanne McDonough, Astronomy 

Bryanne was selected for this award for her important contributions to the Astronomy department and the wider Arts & Sciences community. Her dedication to mentorship and education shone throughout her nomination letter. In addition to her own teaching responsibilities—including serving as an instructor of record in summer 2023—she mentored and advised first-year teaching fellows in her department and facilitated a pedagogy journal club to bring new fellows up to speed. Bryanne has also contributed valuable resources to BU’s Center for Teaching and Learning to support inclusive, accessible curricular design. Her students praised her classes as “welcoming” and were especially grateful for her support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Bryanne’s impact at BU resonates far beyond her award-winning teaching in Astronomy. By crafting plain-language summaries of astrophysical journal articles, she engaged undergraduates with complex scientific research from the start of their academic journeys. Her leadership in Graduate Women in Science and Engineering (GWISE) and Women as Leaders in Astronomy (WALA) has brought awareness to issues facing women and other historically underrepresented groups in STEM. This leadership has also connected women of all ages and professional levels, opening doors to new networks and opportunities for countless members. Through Open Nights at the Coit Observatory and community outreach with K-12 students, she has gotten the greater Boston community excited about the world we live in and the tools we have at our fingertips to explore it. 

In short, during her time at CAS, Bryanne has made astrophysics, often considered a complex or oblique field, alive and accessible to BU’s community and beyond. As a mentor and an educator, she has shared the wonders of our universe, reminding us that no matter who we are, we all gaze up at the same stars. 

Undergraduate Student Recipient: Seynedhee Avenie, International Relations

Seynedhee was selected for this award for her important contributions to the wider Arts & Sciences community through her role as a Global House Language Link leader, and her efforts to build community in the BU Nigerian Student Association, Kung Fu Club, Consulting Group, and Inner Strength Gospel Choir. Her nominators praised her leadership in organizing impactful events that fostered meaningful connections among students, such as the BU African Studies Center Gala, in which she served as a panelist.  

The selection committee was also impressed by her dedication to DEI efforts. As a freshman, she helped draft the script for an antiracism module that would become a part of CAS orientation. She participated in the first Pardee DEI Committee, helping to create their mission statement, and she currently serves as the Committee Chair of the HER House DEI Committee. Seynedhee received 27 separate nominations for this award from students and professors across CAS, a testament to the positive impact she has had on making our College a more welcoming and interconnected community. 

Barkha Shah, Laboratory Supervisor, Biology

Barkha Shah, who serves as a Laboratory Supervisor in Biology, was cited by multiple colleagues as a staff member who regularly exceeds expectations through her prominent collaborative role in the co-creation of the course BF/BI510 – Institutional Racism in Health and Science and steadfast dedication to students. Her contributions to the course are integral to its robust enrollment and exposure of students to scientific inequities. Barkha has also co-presented on the course at multiple national conferences. Further, in the context of the pandemic one nominator noted “She made these difficult times more bearable. She is a tireless, competent worker who continues to impress me.” An additional example of her commitment to equity, access, and inclusion is her role as the advisor for the CAS Student DEI Council and her forthcoming appointment as co-chair of the Biology Antiracism Committee (BAC).

Maria Datel, Master Lecturer in Spanish, Coordinator of the Spanish Language Program

According to one of Professor María Datel’s colleagues “For over twenty years, she has been at the forefront of culturally diverse and inclusive pedagogy in the service of Boston University. Her work has had lasting, widespread impact in the Department, the College of Arts and Sciences, the University, and local communities through civic engagement.” Key examples include being part of the first cohort selected for the Designing Antiracism Curricula Fellowship Program, serving as a co-organizer of the Second Language Learning and Disabilities Conference, which BU has hosted for the six years, leading students from her Native and Heritage Speakers course (CAS LS 309) in conducting research with the Salem Council on Aging in Salem, Massachusetts through its connection to Boston University’s Initiative on Cities, and serving on the CAS Diversity and Inclusion Action Team (DIAT) since 2023.  A recipient of the 2022 Nelson Brooks Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Culture by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) she is also highly regarded as mentor for new lecturers in Spanish and an advocate for antiracist education whose “tireless advocacy, innovative scholarship, and outstanding commitment to social justice embody the core values of our university community.”

Hanna Dworkin, Economics, Political Science & Philosophy

“Throughout our time at college, Hanna has been deeply involved in Student Government, assuming various roles that have allowed her to make a significant impact on the student body. For the past two years, she has served as the Senate Chair, a position that has tasked her with overseeing senators from every college and at-large parties, as well as driving initiatives and events aimed at enhancing the overall student experience. In her capacity as Senate Chair, Hanna has exemplified the true essence of advocacy, collaborating closely with the LGBTQIA+ Task Force to establish a new resource center on campus. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in drafting the Survivor Bill of Rights, a groundbreaking piece of legislation from the BU Student Government aimed at protecting and empowering survivors of sexual assault and harassment. Furthermore, Hanna’s involvement extends to serving on the University HUB Council, where she has spearheaded efforts to create a university-wide report detailing the impact of the HUB on BU students, advocating for necessary improvements.”

Hafsa Arain, Anthropology

PhD candidate Hafsa Arain’s advocacy and inclusion efforts operate in her department, on campus, and beyond. Within Anthropology she volunteers by helping her peers navigate academia’s hidden curriculum including facilitating multiple writing and support groups for graduate students such as an informal support group for students of Pakistani descent studying Pakistan to share tools and resources while navigating the dissertation process. Within the BU graduate student community her advocacy in the Graduate Student Organization (GSO) efforts have made the travel grant application and reimbursement process more transparent and accessible to underrepresented students. As a scholar she has built enduring relationships with the queer and trans communities in Pakistan. For example, in the aftermath of deadly monsoon season in 2022, Hafsa teamed up with Actcept, a local NGO focused on trans empowerment in Pakistan and is regularly invited by local activists to present findings related to her research on gender, sexuality, and religion in South Asia.

Anthropology — Julianna Dick
Archaeology — Ranran Zhang
Astronomy — Nicole M. Flors
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology — Iana Nikorich
Biology — Juneau Wang
Chemistry — Alice C. Fan
Cinema & Media Studies Program — Danielle Imade Momoh
Classical Studies — Kit Houng Li
Computer Science — Anming Gu
Earth & Environment — Alice L. Ni
Economics — Hanna Josephine Dworkin
English —Max Alexander Bearinger
History — Eitan B. Marshall-Pinko
History of Art & Architecture — Romy Binstein
Linguistics — Samantha Mae Rigor
Marine Program — Abigail Sloot
Mathematics & Statistics — Kyle James Mickelson
Medical Science — Rishi Shah
Neuroscience— Tori Keefauver
Philosophy — Kimberly N. Schneider
Physics — Samuel Fulton
Political Science — Kristen Nicole Bangma
Psychological & Brain Sciences — Dinah Rose Sher Gongora

Religion — Jessica Lynn Fatzinger
Romance Studies — Isabelle Corbett Hanna
Sociology — Sofía Marín
World Languages and Literatures — Emily Marie Yoder

Award for Writing Excellence in the Humanities in Honor of Robert E. Charm

Author: Vanessa Anne Hanger

Gregory Hudson Award for Writing Excellence in the Humanities

Author: Camryn Jewel Millett

Michael A. Sassano III and Christopher M. Sassano Award for Writing Excellence in the Social Sciences

Author: Elizabeth Kostina

Francis Bacon Award for Writing Excellence in the Natural Sciences

Author: Shelby R. Vaughn

Each year the Center distributes awards ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 to undergraduate students majoring in the humanities.

Read on the Center for the Humanities page

Each year the Center distributes awards ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 to recognize graduate students doing outstanding work in the humanities.

Read on the Center for the Humanities page

Building bridges is at the core of the Boston University Center for the Humanities. Our first annual Digital Creators Award in the Humanities continues this mission by making connections across various disciplines at BU.

Congratulations to the AY 23-24 Digital Creators Awards recipients, whose diverse projects creatively bridge the humanities and emerging digital technologies.

Audio Category
Nicole Ratmiroff, CAS ’27
Nicole’s podcast, The Idealist, addresses mental health and wellness through media trends. 

App Category
Cheryl Lai, COM/CAS ’26, Public Relations, Religion
Cheryl’s app, “Grow Your Spirit,” gamifies the process of building consistent rituals in users’ lives by tying their action logs to growing virtual plants. 

Visual Category
Iris Ren, CAS ’27, Computer Science
Iris’s comic draws connections between Kehinde Wiley’s painting, John, 1st Baron Byron, and literature that Iris studied through the Core Curriculum. 

Web Category
Ki Hang Cheung, COM ’24, Advertising, Japanese Language & Literature Minor
Ki Hang’s website explores the enduring literary legacy of Japan’s Asakusa Rokku theatre district as depicted in Japanese literature.

See a preview of the projects on the Center for the Humanities page