Inaugural Staff Distinguished Service Award in the College of Arts & Sciences: 

Jessica Tomcho, Program Assistant

For her exemplary leadership in service and her transformative impact as an innovative and generous colleague, the College celebrates Jessica Tomcho as the winner of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Staff Distinguished Service Award. As program coordinator for the Department of Psychology and the Magis Core, Tomcho’s enthusiasm and talent for exploring new efficiencies and solutions radiate well beyond the College because of her thoughtful and tireless engagement as a collaborative solution-finder. Ultimately, every collaboration and interaction with her colleagues, faculty, and students is handled with thoughtful professionalism, care to ensure their needs are met, as well as pride and creativity in all that she does.

Congratulate Jessica on her kudoboard.

Award for Distinguished Teaching in the College of Arts & Sciences: 

Prof. Covadonga Arango-Martin, Professor of the Practice

For her outstanding and sustained dedication to students in the area of teaching, Professor of the Practice M. Covadonga Arango-Martín of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures was awarded the College of Arts and Sciences’ Distinguished Teaching Award. The awards committee was impressed by Arango-Martín’s profound commitment to innovative pedagogy in and beyond the classroom. Her letter writers shared that Arango-Martín is an integral and indispensable part of the Spanish program. Her colleagues applaud her willingness to share her student-centered approach, and her generosity to accompany fellow colleagues one-on-one in their implementation of her pedagogy in realistic and adaptable ways.

Congratulate Covadonga on her kudoboard.

Award for Distinguished Student Advising and Mentoring in the College of Arts & Sciences: 

Laura McSweeney, PhD, Associate Professor of Mathematics

For her outstanding and continuous dedication to students in the area of academic or co-curricular advising, Dr. Laura McSweeney, associate professor of mathematics, was awarded the  College of Arts and Sciences’ Distinguished Student Advising and Mentoring Award. The awards committee recognized her excellent work in building long-term opportunities for students. Dr. McSweeney’s incredible knowledge of University processes, enthusiasm for the engagement and success of students, long-term vision for a competitive institution, and attention to the smallest details allows her to run successful programs that positively influence many students, not only at Fairfield University, but in the larger community as well. In the words of her nominators, she is an “invaluable colleague and a force to be reckoned with.”

Congratulate Laura on her kudoboard.

Inaugural Award for Distinguished Faculty Mentoring in the College of Arts & Sciences: 

Elizabeth Boquet, PhD, Professor of English

For her outstanding and tireless mentoring of faculty, staff, and students across the University, Dr. Elizabeth Boquet, professor of English, is awarded the very first offering of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Distinguished Faculty Mentoring Award. The awards committee was impressed by Dr. Boquet’s consistent mentoring of faculty and staff at all stages of their careers. Dr. Boquet is particularly attuned to the needs of faculty and staff from underrepresented groups and to those in times of transition, especially when advancing into leadership roles. Her nominators share that Dr. Boquet helps “junior colleagues to find their inner strength, building them up for greatness.” Many faculty and staff cite the impact that Dr. Boquet has had on their personal trajectories. Dr. Boquet has also mentored countless colleagues while in leadership roles within the Writing Center, the Dean’s office, and the Provost’s office.

Congratulate Beth on her kudoboard.