Meet our 2019 Higher Education Award winners! See more below.

Terrian Garvis, a M.A. student, was named the Thomas J. “Sparky” Reardon Award winner.  This award honors a graduating residential student who demonstrates outstanding departmental service and commitment.  It is named in honor of Dr. Sparky Reardon who served as the University of Mississippi’s Dean of Students from 2000-2014.

“I am excited to be a recipient of the Sparky Reardon Outstanding Service and Dedication Award,” Garvis said.  “This award renews my goal of dedicating time and effort to creating more equitable and inclusive spaces for students, faculty, and staff.  As I come to the completion of my master’s program, I realize even more the importance of making an impact on the lives of others through relationship building and having multicultural competence of an ever-growing world.  I recognize this award as a pledge to work harder and learn more so that I can be a better advocate and servant for not just students but for everyone.”

Caroline Ciell, a M.A. student, was named the Frank E. Moak Award winner.  This award honors a graduating residential student for academic achievement.  It is named in honor of Dr. Franklin E. Moak who served as the University of Mississippi’s Dean of the Division of Student Personnel from 1964-1981.

“It is a great honor to be selected as this year’s Frank E. Moak Award winner,” Ciell said.  “I have enjoyed every moment of the higher education program and much of that is due to the exceptional faculty that we have. To know that they selected me for this award means so much to me and I am thankful for the knowledge and wisdom they have shared with me these past two years. I am leaving the University of Mississippi with even more passion for higher education than I started. That is a testament to the fact that we have something special here in the Department of Higher Education.”

Laura Martin, a Ph.D. student, was named the SOE Graduate Student Achievement Award winner.  The award recognizes academic and research excellence.

“I was very surprised and humbled to receive this recognition,” Martin said. “My time in the Higher Education doctoral program has completely transformed my approach to community engagement by training me to become a practitioner-scholar. I am so grateful for these methodological tools, for the faculty members who have mentored me, and for the students and community partners that have inspired by research agenda.”