Accolades
FACULTY HONORS
Dr. Suzanne Nesmith, associate professor of science education and a leader in science and engineering education, received the Distinguished Service Award for contributions to teacher preparation at the university level from the Associate and Assistant Deans and Directors of Texas. This annual award honors one former or current dean, associate dean, or director who has significantly impacted the field of teacher preparation.
Nesmith, who is retiring, served as School of Education Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education from 2016-2024. She came to Baylor as a science educator in 2009 from Wayland Baptist University, where she had served as the associate dean and assistant professor of elementary education.
Dr. Jeffrey Petersen, professor of sport management and program director of the Department of Educational Leadership’s MSEd in sport management, received the Baylor University 2024 Centennial Professor Award.
With the award established by the Baylor graduating class of 1945, Petersen and sport management graduate student Rachel Hickey were able to examine the finances of collegiate sports, exploring the archives at Notre Dame University, which houses the world’s largest collection of sport documents including printed media guides. Using historical staffing levels as a proxy for athletic budget levels, their research will provide insights into the evolving landscape of NCAA sport and management operations
Graduate Students Earn Baylor Honors
Three School of Education (SOE) graduate students were honored with awards from the Baylor Graduate School in the fall.
Beatrice Ruiz, a PhD student in the Department of Educational Psychology, received the Outstanding Research Award for Social Sciences, recognizing a student's overall scholarly achievements and aspirations. Ruiz’s research focuses on creative achievement and creative education, including studies on the relationship between attention control and creative achievement.
“She’s presented her research nationally and internationally, and her expertise shines a positive light on the work we are doing at Baylor,” said faculty mentor Dr. Todd Kettler, associate professor and executive director of the Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development.
Maggie Bryant and Elizabeth (Liz) Harrelson Magill, both PhD students in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction, received awards for their teaching.
Bryant was honored for a course she taught in fall of 2023. Students praised her as wise, passionate, and engaging, with one noting,
“This class was fantastic! Ms. Bryant taught engaging lessons with so much practical information.”
Magill was recognized for a course she taught in spring of 2024. Students appreciated Magill’s efforts to provide a diverse set of resources to students.
“Mrs. Magill excelled as an educator by fostering relationships with her students, creating engaging lessons, and presenting content in meaningful ways,” one student wrote.
ALUMNI AWARDS
Two Baylor School of Education graduates were honored by the School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) — Dr. Ryann Shelton (PhD ’20) received the SSMA Early Career Scholar Award, and Dr. Melissa Donham (MA ’19, PhD ’23) received the Dissertation Award.
“The math education faculty are so proud of their work and impact in mathematics education,” said Dr. Trena Wilkerson, professor of mathematics education and chair of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Baylor. “It is an honor to work with such amazing students.”
Donham, who earned her PhD at Baylor in 2023 in Curriculum & Teaching and an MA in 2019, has been assistant professor of education in the Department of Teaching & Learning at Sam Houston State University since fall of 2023. Her award-winning dissertation was titled “Opening Mathematics: A Multiple Case Study Exploring Algebra I Teachers’ Selection and Implementation of Open Tasks.”
Shelton earned her PhD in Curriculum & Teaching from Baylor in 2020 and received the SSMA Dissertation Award that year. Shelton is now a lecturer in the Baylor SOE’s EdD in Learning and Organizational Change. In the EdD program, Shelton teaches instructional design and several dissertation courses. She regularly advises students on their research, chairing and serving on numerous dissertation committees and continues to research key areas in mathematics and teacher education in varied methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative.
STUDENT TEACHER AWARD
Caitlin Casassa, senior elementary education major, received the 2025 Most Outstanding Clinical Teacher Award from the South Central Area Network for School-University Partnerships (SCANSUP). SCANSUP is a part of the National Association of School-University Partnerships (formerly known as the National Association of Professional Development Schools).
Casassa taught fifth grade at Woodway Elementary in Midway ISD. Her mentor teacher, Dr. Shanna Attai, BSEd ’09, MSEd ’10, PhD ’15, described her as “an extraordinary educator whose passion and energy for student growth and engagement is evident in everything she does."
The award recognizes Casassa’s teaching skills, classroom strategies, and commitment to creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment for her students.