Outstanding Faculty Research Award
Ruiying (Raine) Cai
Department of Hospitality Business Management
Since joining WSU in 2022, Cai made extraordinary contributions to research in the School of Hospitality Business Management. She has published 15 journal articles as a WSU faculty member out of 29 in her career—including 10 in 2024 alone—and has earned recognition in both academic and public spheres. Her work appears in top-tier journals and has been featured in Forbes, The Telegraph, and Yahoo News and has amassed more than 2,000 citations on Google Scholar. Cai’s research excellence has brought national visibility to the college and inspired the next generation of hospitality scholars.
Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award
Kevin Mayo
Department of Finance and Management Science
Mayo is recognized for his outstanding commitment to student learning and instructional excellence in the Department of Finance and Management Science. Known for making complex topics accessible, he uses real-world examples and interactive games to bring operations management to life. His spring 2024 course evaluations averaged 4.9 out of 5, with students praising his clarity, empathy, and support. In addition to classroom impact, Mayo mentors doctoral students, offering guidance and encouragement that helps shape future educators. His dedication to engaging instruction sets a high standard for teaching excellence.
Outstanding Faculty Service Award
Hana Johnson
Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship
Johnson is honored for her outstanding service to the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship, the Carson College, and her academic field. She serves as a recruiting liaison, course coordinator, and mentor to new instructors while also playing a key role in department operations and search efforts. Nationally, she chairs key leadership roles within the Academy of Management’s MOC division and reviews extensively for conferences and journals. Her contributions reflect an extraordinary commitment to academic service at every level.
Outstanding Staff Award for College Engagement
Kacie Deerkop
Office of Technology
In just one year since joining the Office of Technology, Deerkop has made a lasting impact. As facilities coordinator, she streamlined the college’s door key system, supported graduate student office space upgrades, led safety trainings, and even cleared out the basement in Todd Hall. Her development of a comprehensive space management system has improved efficiency for faculty across the college. With positivity, professionalism, and a proactive attitude, Deerkop goes above and beyond to support faculty and strengthen Carson College’s community.
Outstanding Staff Award for Student Engagement
Angie Senter
Marketing, Communications, and Events
Senter is recognized for her outstanding work engaging students through well-executed events that build community and expand opportunity. As the college’s event manager, she has led or supported more than 200 events this year alone, including student-centered programming like Hospitality Week and the Hoops Tax Institute Forum. These events not only give students access to professional and career pathways but also strengthen the Carson College’s visibility and impact. Senter’s thoughtful approach, attention to detail, and passion for student growth are essential to the level of quality within college programming.
Outstanding Staff Award for Faculty Engagement
Jessica Webb
Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship
Since joining the department a few months ago, Webb has become a key support figure for faculty. She took the lead on coordinating undergraduate preceptors for MIS, a vital contribution that allowed the course to effectively serve more than 300 students. Known for her quick follow-through and exceptional organization, she consistently seeks faculty input and turns feedback into action, exemplifying a proactive and collaborative spirit that elevates the entire department.
Outstanding Doctoral Student Teaching Assistant Award/Outstanding Doctoral Student Research Award
Weikun Xu
Department of Finance and Management Science
Xu’s dual recognition this year reflects both scholarly excellence and classroom impact. As a teaching assistant for the Business Modeling with Spreadsheets course, Xu has demonstrated extraordinary dedication—quickly grading assignments, delivering detailed feedback, and going well beyond expectations to support students. Her proactive efforts, from managing Canvas to leading sessions during a faculty health emergency, have made her an important part of the instructional team. In research, Xu achieved a rare milestone with a coauthored article published in Production and Operations Management, a UT-Dallas and FT-50 journal. She has presented at major conferences and contributes to NSF-funded projects enhancing understanding of operational demand and traffic congestion at US ports, affirming her place as a rising scholar in operations management.
Outstanding Doctoral Student Teaching Award
Adam Bozman
Department of Finance and Management Science
Bozman’s approach to teaching exemplifies excellence in doctoral instruction. As an instructor for both introductory and advanced finance courses, Bozman has introduced dynamic instructional methods, including the integration of Python and collaboration with the Business Plan Competition. Students consistently praise his approachable style and meaningful assignments that emphasize teamwork and practical learning. His ability to connect curriculum with career-relevant skills reflects a rare blend of technical mastery and pedagogical creativity, making him a standout doctoral instructor.
