Posted on: April 26, 2023; Updated on: April 25, 2022 By Hannah Cambre, provcomm@mailbox.sc.edu
The Office of the Provost is always proud to spread the word about the University
of South Carolina’s world-class faculty. The annual faculty awards ceremony is a time
to intentionally recognize the outstanding work our faculty are doing and shed light
on some of the particularly remarkable teaching, advising, service and research coming
out of this high-caliber team of scholars.
This year, twenty faculty and staff members from five different schools or colleges
and one system institution will receive awards for their service to their peers, students
and communities. Though the awardees come from a wide range of disciplines and boast
incredibly diverse resumes of achievements, they share a common dedication to excellence
and are all making a lasting mark on campus through the work they do.
“The faculty recognized this year exemplify the academic excellence thriving across
this university. I am thankful for their efforts to advance research and scholarship,
to teach and mentor our students, and to serve our communities,” says Cheryl Addy,
Vice Provost and Dean of Faculty.
Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Donna Arnett agrees. “Academic
excellence is what drew me to the University of South Carolina,” says Arnett. “This
type of excellence only comes from purposeful commitment and investment in teaching,
advising, research and service. The work done by this year’s faculty award winners
is evidence of the tremendous things that we are accomplishing across campus. It is
an honor to retain such stellar scholars at the university.”
Please view this year’s award winners below.
USC Columbia Teaching Awards
Dr. Alicia Flach, PT, DPT
Clinical Associate Professor Exercise Science Arnold School of Public Health
Dr. Alicia Flach is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Exercise Science and Physical
Therapy Program at the Arnold School of Public Health. She also works as a physical
therapist, clinical specialist, and expert consultant for the physical and specialty
therapists neuroscience team at Prisma Health Richland Hospital. Dr. Flach directs
the USC Rehab Lab, where she researches the role of physical activity in gait and
balance for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease. She prioritizes
research mentorship for her undergraduate and DPT students and focuses on creating
a collaborative, flexible environment where students can practice hands-on skills
with real patients while benefitting from extensive opportunities for feedback and
self-reflection.
Dr. Christina Cox
Associate Professor Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences College of Pharmacy
Dr. Christina Cox is an associate professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences in the College
of Pharmacy. In addition to her role at USC, she also serves as a clinical pharmacy
specialist in pediatric intensive care and neonatal intensive care at Palmetto Health
Children’s Hospital. As an instructor, Dr. Cox prioritizes decreasing the gap between
the classroom and clinical practice. She believes in integrating students into real-life,
high-stakes situations alongside healthcare professionals in every aspect of patient
care. Dr. Cox is a proponent of fostering student autonomy and curiosity through hands-on
learning opportunities, and she consistently provides outstanding, innovative education
and supportive mentoring to her students.
Northrop Davis
Professor Media Arts College of Arts and Sciences
Northrop Davis is a professor of Media Arts in the School of Visual Art and Design. He has been with
the university since 2008 and is a past winner of the Michael J. Mungo Undergraduate
Teaching Award. Professor Davis teaches screenwriting, television writing, and manga/anime
studies. He has sold three Hollywood projects and leverages his extensive network
of Hollywood screenwriters to bring in guest speakers to his class sessions, allowing
students to interact with professionals in the field and make connections with potential
future employers and colleagues. His excellent instruction and mentoring, in addition
to his active role in helping students secure screenwriting internships and position
themselves for successful job placement, combine to create a robust classroom experience.
We are pleased to name Professor Davis the 2023 Michael J. Mungo Distinguished Professor
of the year.
Dr. Michael Myrick
Professor Chemistry and Biochemistry College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Michael Myrick is a professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences who
has been with the university since 1991. He is an expert in analytical and industrial
chemistry. Dr. Myrick has been involved in three start-up businesses, and following
the sale of one company based on patents from his research, he requested that part
of the funds be used to establish summer workshops for the university’s chemistry
graduate students. These workshops are just one of the several opportunities Dr. Myrick
has created to engage his students; others include one-on-one teaching sessions and
extensive research support and mentorship. He challenges his students in his chemistry
courses but also shares his knowledge of management and planning so that they can
fully benefit from his expertise in STEM-related start-ups.
Dr. April Hiscox
Associate Professor Geography College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. April Hiscox is an associate professor of geography in the College of Arts and Sciences, where
she conducts research in boundary layer meteorology. Her primary teaching goal is
for students to unlearn limiting concepts to better understand the world, and she
makes an impact in the classroom by using introductory level courses to challenge
students’ preconceived notions about science, weather and climate, and gender roles
in the STEM field. Dr. Hiscox’s approach to instruction is to model dynamic learning
and instill curiosity, which she fosters through innovative assessment structures
such as a collaborative quilting project to visually represent spatial relationships.
As a scientist who pushes the limits of knowledge by taking risks and experimenting
with new strategies, Dr. Hiscox eagerly adopts the same approach to improve her teaching.
Dr. Morgan Stefik
Associate Professor Chemistry and Biochemistry College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Morgan Stefik is an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Arts and
Sciences. He has taught General Chemistry 111 for the past ten years while also mentoring
20 undergraduate researchers, requesting his assignment to introductory level courses
to maximize his impact on the largest segment of the student body. In his time teaching
General Chemistry, Dr. Stefik has effectively implemented active learning strategies
such as the use of iClickers, think-share-pair learning, live demonstrations, and
chemistry jingles to help foster learning. Thanks to his commitment to sound pedagogy,
strong mentorship, and engaging instructional strategies, Dr. Stefik’s students consistently
outperform other General Chemistry 111 students, and his courses have a success rate
of 90%.
Dr. Katherine Ryker
Associate Professor School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Katherine Ryker is an assistant professor of geoscience education in the College of Arts and Sciences
and has been with the university since 2018. Her research focuses on discipline-based
education research, and she eagerly shares her strategies for outstanding teaching
with faculty and graduate students at seminars with the Center for Teaching Excellence.
She models scientific thinking for her students rather than viewing herself as the
sole dispenser of knowledge, never lecturing for more than 15 minutes in a class session
and encouraging social learning through think-pair-share activities. Dr. Ryker emphasizes
inquiry-based, active learning that is designed to increase student motivation by
making geology accessible and relevant.
Dr. Alexander Gasparian
Clinical Assistant Professor Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences College of Pharmacy
Dr. Alexander Gasparian is a clinical assistant professor of drug discovery and biomedical sciences in the
College of Pharmacy. He has been with the university since 2019 following a successful
decades-long career in research and the pharmaceutical industry. Dr. Gasparian researches
molecular signaling in normal and cancer cells and has published four research papers
in peer-reviewed journals since beginning his work with the university. Two of these
papers include contributions from undergraduate students. Dr. Gasparian focuses on
creating a classroom environment that encourages evidence-based, active learning and
allows students to benefit from a combination of his expertise, up-to-date research
in the field, and students’ own lived experiences.
USC Columbia Research Awards
Dr. Greg Forter
Associate Chair and Professor English Language and Literature College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Greg Forter is the associate chair of the Department of English and a professor of English Language
and Literature in the College of Arts and Sciences who has been with the university
since 1998. He is a remarkably productive and rigorous researcher in a wide range
of fields including U.S. and global literature, gender studies, psychoanalytic theory,
and postcolonial theory. Dr. Forter has published three self-authored manuscripts
as well as over 20 major peer-reviewed journal articles, and he has given talks internationally,
in Ireland and Norway, as well as at prestigious American institutions such as Harvard,
Boston University, and the University of Pennsylvania. His works are considered revolutionary
in his field and have firmly established him as an influential figure in postcolonial
studies.
Dr. Ken Shimizu
Professor Chemistry and Biochemistry College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Ken Shimizu is a professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences.
He has been a faculty member at the university since 1997 and served as department
chair for six years. Dr. Shimizu is a leader in the field of supramolecular chemistry,
where he has done fundamental research on the principles of chemistry and helped develop
molecular measurement devices. He is a past winner of the SC ACS Chemist of the Year,
as well as the Mungo Undergraduate Teaching Award. His work in research is multidisciplinary,
with high citation rates in fields such as organic reaction development, drug design,
and theoretical studies.
Dr. James Hébert
Health Sciences Distinguished Professor and Director of the South Carolina Statewide
Cancer Prevention and Control Program Epidemiology and Biostatistics Arnold School of Public Health
Dr. James Hébert is the Director of the South Carolina Statewide Cancer Prevention and Control Program
and a Health Sciences Distinguished Professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in
the Arnold School of Public Health. He has been an innovative and productive public
health researcher for more than 45 years, with nearly 800 publications and 2,000 citations
per year. Dr. Hébert studies nutritional epidemiology and cancer epidemiology and
is credited with the invention of the widely used Dietary Inflammation Index. He is
actively involved in community engagement, researching health issues impacting underserved
communities and creating opportunities for these groups to access healthcare. Dr.
Hébert champions inclusivity, incorporating community members as co-authors on his
papers, and has a strong track record of mentoring students and including them in
his research as well.
Dr. Brooke McKeever
Professor Journalism and Mass Communications College of Information and Communications
Dr. Brooke McKeever is a professor of journalism and mass communications in the College of Information
and Communications. She is an internationally recognized researcher in the field of
mass communications, one of the most productive and accomplished scholars in the School
of Journalism and Mass Communications, and a leader in health and public relations
communications. Prior to her time at the university, Dr. McKeever worked for Saint
Jude Children’s Research Hospital and did communications work for a stem cell research
foundation near Boston. She currently researches practical topics relating to leadership,
communication, and combatting misinformation in the face of public health concerns
such as HIV, gun violence, and vaccine hesitancy. Her courses incorporate real-world
examples, in-class experiences, and service-learning projects with nonprofits including
the American Red Cross, South Carolina State Parks, and the National MS Society.
Dr. Varsha Kulkarni
Professor Physics and Astronomy College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Varsha Kulkarni is a professor of physics and astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences who has
been with the university since 2000. She is world-renowned for her work in the field
of extragalactic astrophysics. Dr. Kulkarni has helped revolutionize the research
surrounding galaxy evolution and is one of the most productive researchers in the
College of Arts and Sciences. Her work has secured the funding of NASA and NSF for
over 20 years, and she has earned thousands of observation hours in front of highly
competitive technology such as the Webb and Hubble Telescopes. In addition to supervising
over 70 undergraduate and graduate students, Dr. Kulkarni is also dedicated to sharing
physics and astronomy with both her local community and internationally recognized
research collaborators.
USC Columbia Other Awards
Dr. Amy Grant
Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Diversity and Assistant Professor Office of the Dean College of Pharmacy
Dr. Amy Grant is the associate dean for student affairs and diversity as well as an assistant professor
in the College of Pharmacy. Since she came to USC in 2009, she has served in student-centered,
student-facing positions, including her roles as Director of Experiential Education,
Assistant Dean for Student Services, and currently, Associate Dean for Student Affairs
and Diversity. She is responsible for managing the structure, activities, and advising
of the undergraduate Pre-Pharmacy program, recruiting students into the Pre-Pharmacy
and Doctor of Pharmacy programs, coordinating and implementing college admissions
processes, advising students individually and in groups, and leading DEI initiatives.
Dr. Grant is a strong proponent of the person first, student second approach, and
she excels at encouraging students but also navigating difficult conversations. She
prioritizes an individualized approach incorporating goal-setting and NACADA-aligned
values.
Kristi Kinslow, M.Ed.
Director of Pre-Professional Studies and Recruitment Office of the Dean College of Pharmacy
Kristi Kinslow is the Director of Pre-Professional Studies and Recruitment for the College of Pharmacy.
She has been an advisor at USC since 2017 as well as an instructor of University 101.
In addition to these roles, Kinslow serves as an advisor for the Carolina Association
of Pre-Pharmacy Students, where she offers bi-weekly programs to support student professional
development, and oversees the Bachelor of Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences degree
program within the College of Pharmacy. Her relationship-centered approach to advising
is a critical component in creating an environment where all students feel supported
and equipped to succeed in their chosen career paths, and she ensures that her advisees
know that they have an advocate on campus outside of the 30 minutes to an hour spent
in her office.
Dr. John Grady
Professor Sport and Entertainment Management College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
Dr. John Grady is a professor of sport and entertainment management in the College of Hospitality,
Retail and Sport Management. His research focuses on Olympic sponsorship and athlete
endorsement with an emphasis on social media use and the policy implications for athletes
and sponsors. Dr. Grady’s research has been published by Harvard Law School and presented
at several national and international conferences, and he has published over 40 scholarly
articles over the course of his career at USC. He is an innovative instructor who
creates partnerships for students to work at sports events such as the PGA Tour and
Charleston Open, and he provides extensive mentoring to both undergraduate and graduate
students. He is also a pioneer of distributed learning, which he introduced to his
department in 2005.
Dr. Angela Liese
Professor Epidemiology and Biostatistics Arnold School of Public Health
Dr. Angela Liese is a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the Arnold School of Public Health
who has been with the university since 2000. Her research focuses on diabetes epidemiology,
diabetes-related health inequalities, and social determinants of health. Dr. Liese
is an NIH-funded interdisciplinary researcher who has published over 228 peer-reviewed
articles in her career, 81 of which were student-led. She demonstrates a strong commitment
to training the next generation of epidemiologists and public health researchers,
mentoring not only undergraduate and graduate students but also junior faculty members
in her school. Dr. Liese has enhanced the visibility and reputation of the university
by shaping the scientific agenda in her field, creating research symposia and formal
mentorship programs at the national scale.
Dr. Jin Liu
Clinical Associate Professor Educational Psychology and Research College of Education
The Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity recognizes that instructors play
a significant role in developing students of integrity. Dr. Jin Liu is a clinical associate professor of educational psychology and research in the College
of Education. She researches academic integrity and proactive interventions, reflecting
her commitment to creating a culture of ethical conduct based on core integrity beliefs.
She is dedicated to student success and incorporates Universal Design for Learning
principles in her courses to foster a supportive and encouraging environment, going
above and beyond to ensure that students have ample opportunities to revise assignments
and earn additional points. She employs proctoring services and has students sign
the honor pledge as additional safeguards to support an environment of academic integrity.
Dr. Shana Harrington
Physical Therapy Program Director and Clinical Associate Professor Exercise Science Arnold School of Public Health
Dr. Shana Harrington is the physical therapy program director and a clinical associate professor in the
Arnold School of Public Health. She has been with the university since 2017 and has
proved to be exceptionally service minded through her heavy involvement in Paralympic
sport activities at the national and international level. Dr. Harrington has served
as head of domestic classification for para-sports activities governed by USA Triathlon
and USA Paralympics since 2014, and from 2018-2021, she was head of international
classification for Paratriathlon. She also served as a swimming educator for the International
Paralympic Committee from 2011-2017. Dr. Harrington has provided distinguished and
consistent service for well over 40 global events. At the university, she substantially
contributes to the DPT program mission as program director, and she researches survivorship
and patient reported outcome measures in cancer survivors.
Comprehensive Universities and Palmetto College Awards
Dr. Ellen Malphrus
Professor English USC Beaufort
Dr. Ellen Malphrus is a professor of English at USC Beaufort and has taught at the university since
1998. Dr. Malphrus is a creative writer who has published 32 works of poetry, short
fiction, and creative non-fiction and was a friend and mentee of the late Pat Conroy.
She is the USCB Writer in Residence and was named the USCB professor of the year in
2022. Dr. Malphrus is an outstanding instructor who prioritizes the development of
students’ creative voices and strong support in and out of the classroom. Several
of her students have gone on to become published writers and credit her for the experiential
learning opportunities she continues to provide through her writing workshops and
the publishing practicum she helped establish for USCB’s nationally recognized literary
journal, The Pen.
Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.
