Since 2008, Adams State University has acknowledged professors’ dedication to their students with the Presidential Teacher Award, recognizing outstanding teaching, advising, and mentoring. The 2026 award honored Assistant Professor of Sociology Nicholas Van De Voorde, Ph.D., and Professor of Counselor Education Mark Manzanares, Ph.D. They received their awards at the Employee Recognition Banquet on April 16.
Throughout the week of April 12, Adams State employees were treated to a night at the movies, potting plants, bowling, a picnic, coffee, organized by the Employee Appreciation and Employee Recognition Committees to recognize and demonstrate appreciation for employees.
The week cumulated with the Employee Recognition Banquet, hosted in the Student Union Building and included certificates and plaques for years-of-service, exemplary status, retirement, promotions, and awards. President David Tandberg, Ph.D., said: “Tonight, we celebrate you. The faculty who challenge students to discover their capabilities; the classified staff who keep this institution running every single day; and the professional staff who build the systems, relationships, and programs that make Adams State a place where students truly thrive.”
Board of Trustees Chair Thomas Kim was the Master of Ceremonies. He concluded the evening, saying: “This evening, we recognized decades of service, exceptional teaching, and extraordinary dedication. You are the reason this institution has endured, the reason it is positioned to grow, and the reason we can look our students in the eye and know we’ve delivered on the mission of Adams State.”
Presidential Teaching Award Undergrad
Assistant Professor of Sociology Nicholas Van De Voorde, Ph.D.
Presidential Teaching Award Grad
Professor of Counselor Education Mark Manzanares, Ph.D.
Years of Service
10 Years
Kimberly Chacon, Ph.D., School of Health Sciences director; Ashley Clayton, Ph.D., professor of mathematics; Kristina Cook, Health Sciences administrative assistant III; Jerah Dickson, Academic Affairs program assistant III; Minga Francisco, Migrant Education Program senior educational recruiter; Curtis Garcia, Ph.D., School of Education director; Rob Glover, Computing Services enterprise applications system programmer; Christina Harrell, Ph.D., associate professor of counselor education; Michelle Le Blanc, M.F.A., instructor of English; Daniel Martinez, Facilities Services general labor I; Esmeralda Martinez, Migrant Education Program director; Maria Martinez, instructor of kinesiology; Nolan Miller, Facilities Services mechanical trades; Sarah Rhett, Computing Services manager of enterprise applications systems; Angelo Salazar, Facilities Services structural trades; Lillian Sanchez, Financial Aid advisor; Matthew Scavezze, Housing Residence Hall Director; and Shanda Taylor, Migrant Education Program office assistant.
15 Years
Christopher Adams, Ph.D., professor of chemistry; Leslie Boutillette, School of Business administrative assistant III; Delilah Chavez, Title IX assistant director and Cleary compliance coordinator; Tyler Eagan, Academic Instructional Technology Center director; Jeff Elison, Ph.D., professor of psychology; Ronald Farmer, Facilities Services structural trades; Matthew Gersick, M&W Cross Country/Track & Field assistant coach; Amy Kucera, PR & Marketing graphic artist; Melissa Moeller, School of Counselor Education senior academic advisor/operations director; Sadie Romero David, Prison Education Program administrative assistant II; Kara Van Gieson, School of Visual and Performing Arts – Music administrative assistant III; Elaine Wenta, and Thomas Worley.
20 Years
Berna Hostetter, Extended Studies concurrent enrollment/advisor, Oneyda Maestas, Cultural Awareness and Student Achievement coordinator, and Gina Mitchell, Ph.D., professor of psychology.
25 Years
Kevin Daniel, CIO and vice president of administration, Stephanie Lewis, assistant director of auxiliary services, Christina Miller, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, Tracey Robinson, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology, and Karie Yount, Graduate Studies administrative assistant III.
30 Years
Sharon Chavez, Financial Aid student employment and special programs coordinator, Margaret Doell, M.F.A., provost, and Gina Willis Student Affairs program assistant I.
Retirees
Andrea Benton-Maestas, -30 Years; Kathleen Chavez, 13 Years; Peggy Dunn, 25 Years; Laurin Haber, 3 Years; Patricia Martinez, 30 Years; Leonard Pacheco, 15 Years; and Jeff Storm, 27 Years.
Exemplary Classified Employees
Melissa Conley, School of STEM administrative assistant III, Jeff Gallegos, Financial Aid administrative assistant III, Alex Harris, Mailroom materials handler II, and Elaine Wenta School of HSS administrative assistant III.
Exemplary Faculty
Bethany Adams, Ph.D., School of Counselor Education clinical faculty; Meredith Anderson, Ph.D., professor of mathematics; Beth Bonnstetter, Ph.D., professor of journalism; Laura Bruneau, Ph.D., professor of counselor education; Carol Cotter, Ph.D., to associate clinical faculty; Fallon Crowther, associate professor of nursing; Sandra Gavin, Ph.D., assistant professor of counselor education; Brittany Harlan, assistant professor of business; Stephanie Hilwig, Ph.D., professor of sociology; Lynnea King, professor of English; Rena Kirkland, Ph.D., professor of psychology; Melinda Leoce, D.M., assistant professor of music; Michele Mann, Ph.D., associate professor of teacher education; Gina Mitchell, Ph.D., professor of psychology; Matt Nehring, Ph.D., professor of physics; Jenna Neilsen, M.F.A., professor of theatre; Melissa O’Neill, Ph.D., School of Counselor Education associate clinical faculty; Tracey Robinson, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology; Beth Robison-Crockett, D.M.A., professor of music; Matt Schildt, Ph.D., professor of music; Heidi Schneider, Ph.D., professor of sociology; Justine Schwartz, Ph.D., assistant professor of education; Christopher Schwinghamer, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology; Ahmed Shafee, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science; Colleen Stabolepszy, Ph.D., School of Counselor Education clinical faculty; John Taylor, Ph.D., School of VPA director; Kirk Thiemann, Ph.D., associate professor of counselor education; Paul Tunis, M.F.A., assistant professor of media communications; Billy Ulibarri, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology; Nick Van De Voorde, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology; Alex Vernon, D.B.A., assistant professor of business; Mary Wilhelm, M.F.A., assistant professor of art; Ben Wilson, Ph.D., School of Counselor Education clinical faculty and Brian Zuleger, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology.
Exemplary Directors
School of Counselor Education Director Cheri Meder, Ph.D., School of Education Director Curtis Garcia, Ph.D., School of Humanities and Social Sciences Director Colleen Schaffner, Ph.D., and School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Director Benita Brink, Ph.D.
Exemplary Professionals
Delilah Chavez, Title IX assistant director and Cleary compliance coordinator; Aftin Gillespie, assistant vice president for student affairs; Nicholas Gossage, football assistant coach; Jeremy Jaramillo, manager of campus AV; Caleb Kizewski, football assistant coach; Amy Kucera, graphic artist, Chase Kyser, football assistant coach; Desiree Lewis, Juntos project director; Toni Martinez, School of Counselor Education budget analyst/office manager; Becky Meidinger, senior institutional researcher; Melissa Moeller, School of Counselor Education senior academic advisor/operations director; Nic Olney, football assistant coach; Brittany Raines, Computing Services manager of support services; and Sheldon Rockey, School of Business project director.
Faculty Promotions
David Bertolatus, Ph.D., to associate professor of biology and tenure; Sandra Gavin, Ph.D., to associate professor counselor education and tenure; Chayan Lahiri, Ph.D., to associate professor of geosciences; Ahmed Shafee, Ph.D., to associate professor of computer sciences and tenure; Carol Cotter, Ph.D., to associate clinical faculty; Melissa O’Neill, Ph.D., to associate clinical faculty; Jessica Brown, Ph.D., to professor of English; Kyle Glenn, Ph.D., to professor of economics, Lynnea King, Ph.D., to professor of English; Heidi Schneider, Ph.D., to professor of sociology; and Meliza Ramirez, Ph.D., assistant professor of Spanish, tenured.
Pins and certificates were presented for employees for 1 through five years of service.
One Year
Imani Alston, Oluwatoyin Akinlade, Alma Alcala, Xiang Ao, Florencio Aranda, Kazi Arefin, Gloria Arroyos, Mai Awad, Olivia Ayers, Charise Baker, Quinlin Bisbee, Phillip Bode, Mikal Boisson, Caroline Brown, Eric Brown, Kris Browne, Mark Buck, Madalyn Caldwell, Nico Centeno, Joe Chavez, Jon Cordero, Peter Costas, Ian Creager, Abby Crouse, Breann Dickey, Mimi Dolan, Paul Formisano, Evan Foster, Peter Freeman, Levi Gallas, Jessica Gazzola, Lonnie Gillespie, David Gonzales, Nicholas Gossage, Timothy Gross, Daniel Gulbrandsen, Ralph Hanke, Eric Heberline, Amanda Hill, Nicholas Holguin, Nathan Holloway, Brett Hunter, Jason Hunter, Chris Kam, Caleb Kizewski, Chase Kyser, Kaylie Langer, Alyson Leatherman, David Lee, Luke Lee, Angelia Liles, Rylee Lovato, Dana Maestas, Castulo Maldonado, Megan Maldonado, Yogesh Manoharan, Kate Martinez, Ramona Martinez, Ana Melendez, Lay-nah Blue Morris-Howe, Nicol Mugrage, Acacia Nadeau-Lara, Angelline Nageak, Nic Olney, Sean Phelps, Artemis Preeshl, Amanda Price, Amanda Pruit, Jake Rissler, Ambrosio Rodriguz, Katie Sacco, Morgan Sammons, David Sanchez, Madyson Schliep, Elizabeth Scott-Janda, Chenchen Shen, Samantha Siggelkow, Alize Sisneros, Candice Taylor, Krissy Treviranus, Renee Treviranus, Rose Urbina, Nicholas Van De Voorde, Kendall Vance, and James Wehe.
3 Years
Bethany Adams, Elidee Alston, Rebecca Caple, Manuelito Casias, Paul Clark, Adrian Cordova, Dane Craig, Monica DeLaTorre, Savala DeVoge, Alexander Duncan, Jayden Fischer-Douglas, Marlene Garcia Araiza, Joaquin Garcia, Regis Gilmartin, Thomas Gilmartin, Diana Gonzalez, Alexander Greco, Evila Gutierrez, Marisa Gylling, Jake Hanson, Brittany Harlan, Sky Higens, Sarah Hughes, Melinda Hunzeker, Cecilia Ibarra Cantu, Jeremy Jaramillo, Amy Johnson, Jamie King, Dillon Larsen, Simone Lenzini, Desiree Lewis, James Lind, Jennifer Logacz, Tamara Lomeli, Bethany Martinez, Kristie Martinez, Brooke Miller, Victoria Miranda, Steven Moody, Kris Mugrage, Lucie Olivas, Brittany Raines, Meliza Ramirez, Wil Rickards, Sheldon Rockey, Deborah Rodda, Juana Rodriguez Tarango, Katrina Ruggles, Juel Ruvolo, Kyle Sand, Justine Schwarz, Christopher Schwinghamer, Philip Sierra, Julie Silipo, Kassiopeia Smith, Judith St. John, Kim Stanger, Maddie Stouder, Jesika Stuart, Sonja Sutherland, Kirk Thiemann, Kenneth Tripp, Jaxine Trujillo, Jennifer Valadez Molina, Thomas Vernon, Kelsey Ward, Mary Wilhelm, Benjamin Wilson, Gregory Wilson, and Chasity Winchester.
5 Years
David Bertolatus, Mario Caetano, Trudy Chavez, Rachael Cheslock, Annaliesa Conner-Meissner, Carol Cotter, Sean Cruz, Rocio De Lira, Kenai Douglas, Karla Fierro-Guaderrama, Jess Gagliardi, Sandra Gavin, Kris Giere, Peter Gomez, Anthony Guntren, Ryan Hunter, Melinda Leoce, Aryana Lopez, Steven Lucero, Rhonda Madril, Kenneth Marquez, Lisa Martinez, Kym McColl, Marco Medina, Taylor Mills, Janene Mondragon, Melissa O’Neill, Johnsa Phares, Nathan Sellers, Ahmed Shafee, Dawnia Smith, Maddy Stevens, Paul Tunis, and Billy Ulibarri.
