The VCU College of Engineering recognizes faculty and staff with 2025 Dean’s Excellence Awards
From left: Ram Gupta, Ph.D., Ibrahim Guven, Ph.D., Worth Longest, Ph.D., Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., Tonia Sharpe, M.Ed., Jennifer Pulver, and Caroline Budwell, Ph.D.
The Dean’s Excellence Awards Program recognizes faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves in areas crucial to upholding the mission and values of Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) College of Engineering.
“College of Engineering faculty and staff work tirelessly for our students,” said Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Dean of the VCU College of Engineering. “These honorees are the best of us and an inspiration for what we can accomplish when working together.”
Congratulations to our 2025 honorees!
Faculty Awards
Dean’s Research Excellence Award: Worth Longest, Ph.D., Louis S. and Ruth S. Harris Exceptional Scholar Professor, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
Recipients of this award showcase consistent scholarly excellence acknowledged nationally or internationally. Creative endeavors, traditional research and general scholarly work is classified under this category.
Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award: Ahmet Sonmez, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science
The Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award is presented to exceptional teachers that use compelling techniques, methods and materials to engage students in a manner that leaves an impact. The awardee implements a remarkable curriculum, learning tools and teaching strategies that revolve around the students’ best interests.
Dean’s Service and Outreach Excellence Award: Caroline Budwell, Ph.D., college undergraduate curriculum coordinator, associate professor and undergraduate director, Department of Computer Science
The purpose of this award is to honor the superior service and outreach activities performed by the recipient for Virginia Commonwealth University, the professional community or the Greater Richmond Area, recognizing the positive influence left on the local area.
Dean’s Faculty Fellow Award: Ibrahim Guven, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
The Dean’s Faculty Fellow Award is bestowed upon an assistant to associate professors that displays superior achievement in research, instruction, service and/or community outreach.
Staff Awards
Dean’s Excellence in Service Award: Tonia Sharpe, M.Ed., assistant director of career and industry advising
By demonstrating brilliant accomplishments or service that reflects the College of Engineering’s values, the recipient is recognized for the culmination of their service and/or for excellence in a one-time contribution.
Dean’s Excellence in Innovation: Jennifer Pulver, director of marketing and communications
The awardee qualifies due to their innovative thinking showing through their ability to problem-solve, as well as their day-to-day routine. Those who qualify take sensible risks and use past mistakes as a means of discovering new or better methods of working. Through creating inventive, feasible solutions to complex problems, the awardee shares and applies their concepts effectively.
Appreciation for 10 Years of Service: Ram Gupta, Ph.D., associate dean for research and professor of chemical & life science engineering
The VCU College of Engineering offers innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs tailored to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving engineering field. As part of a premier research university, students are given the opportunity to perform real-world research in our state-of-the-art facilities as soon as they enroll. Browse videos and recent news to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.
Categories Faculty Awards, General College