The Charger Blog
The University community proudly celebrated the excellence of 11 faculty members at the annual Faculty Excellence Awards, recognizing their dedication to their students, their educational journeys, and their future success.
June 9, 2025
At the end of the academic year, members of the University community gathered to honor 11 professors at the annual Faculty Excellence Awards celebration.
This event highlights the exceptional contributions of our distinguished faculty members and the lasting impact they have on students, inside and outside the classroom.
“There is no doubt that the University of New Haven is majorly on the move and there is also no doubt that the faculty here are the lifeblood of the institution,” President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., said at the ceremony. “Our faculty are not only global experts and researchers, but they are extraordinarily committed educators who consistently go above and beyond. It is this unique combination of intellect and can-do spirit that positions our students for such remarkable success."
“On behalf of the entire University community, I would like to thank each of you for your unwavering commitment and extend my deepest appreciation for everything you do to support our students and the overall vision of the University of New Haven,” he added.
Huan Gu, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Chemistry and Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Department, and coordinator of the M.S. in Chemical Engineering, was the recipient of the Excellence in Experiential Education award.
A faculty colleague shared that Dr. Gu created a 3D-printing project for students to create, print, and test the effectiveness of small cars. “Additionally, as the advisor for our chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), she helped students design and create a small car that is powered and stopped using chemical reactions. Dr. Gu also drove up club participation to the highest levels ever by running a special topics course.”
“Beyond higher education, Dr. Gu extends her commitment to experiential education to K-12 students, sparking early interest in STEM fields through outreach initiatives and hands-on demonstrations,” a student wrote, in part, in a nomination. “Her efforts in bridging the gap between academic research and community engagement have provided younger students with exposure to advance scientific concepts in an accessible and engaging manner.”
Rozina Jaser, M.S., earned the Excellence in Inclusive Community Building award. She was recognized for her commitment to promoting and leading programs/events around community building for the members of our University community.
Jaser is a practitioner in residence in the Biology and Environmental Science Department and is the coordinator for Introduction to Biology for Non-Majors.
A faculty colleague wrote they were impressed that Prof. Jaser “held a health and wellness seminar for students in Bixler Hall in collaboration with the resident assistants. She also created a campus-wide “whispered thanks” event with students to promote mental health, foster a sense of community and morale, and inspire acts of grace and kindness across campus. This colleague added that Prof. Jaser is also very involved in pedagogy focused on equity and inclusion and has presented inclusive teaching workshops to their department.
Another colleague lauded Jaser for her efforts to collaborate with other departments and host events, such as the Myatt Center Table Talks; Campus Community Dialogue World Issues; and Community Space, “where she played a critical role in planning/writing discussion questions, inviting students, staff, and faculty, and facilitating group discussions surrounding how to enhance spaces for building community and sense of belonging.”
Christopher Sedelmaier, Ph.D., is a professor in the Criminal Justice Department, and is the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice program assistant director.
He earned the Excellence in Faculty Service award after an entire group of new doctoral student instructors submitted a lengthy nomination, commending him on his efforts to set the University’s Ph.D. in Criminal Justice apart from competitor programs.
In the nomination submission, students explained that “many doctoral programs focus on research and do not have comprehensive pedagogical training.” They went on to say that Dr. Sedelmaier wanted to provide his students “with the skills that would make them highly competitive candidates in the job market.”
“[He] worked to create a comprehensive pedagogical training program that would help his students stand out and succeed. [He] provides rigorous training, mentorship, and pedagogical development that sets UNewHaven Ph.D. students apart from their peers at other institutions,” the students wrote.
Shue Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Chemistry and Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Department, and interim program coordinator of Biomedical Engineering, was the recipient of the Excellence in Research and Scholarly Activity award.
Dr. Wang has published eight research articles, four reviews, and two book chapters. She has worked with multiple undergraduate and master's students in research, including some as co-authors in her publications. She also served on NSF panels for proposal reviews.
A student commented on her impact on support, saying “Dr. Wang is dedicated to students’ success through different research activities, including thesis and research projects, the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, and community outreach activities. [She] was the faculty advisor for the Society of Women in Engineering for the last five years, where she helped students with different activities and opportunities for students. She has mentored more than 20 graduates as well as undergraduate students. She is also dedicated to mentoring high school students, all of whom significantly benefitted from their research experience in her lab.”
Jamie Luckhardt, MPH, CHES, a practitioner in residence in the Department of Population Health and Leadership, School of Health Sciences, earned the Excellence in Teaching for Part-Time Faculty award.
This award honors an educator who embodies the principles of excellence in teaching and demonstrates pedagogy that embodies evidenced-based best practices and innovative teaching approaches and/or mentoring students.
A student wrote, “Professor Luckhardt truly cares about her students, and she won’t leave you behind. She provides step-by-step guidance throughout the whole course that led to the successful completion of a group project, creating and evaluating a health intervention.”
A faculty colleague added that, “Jamie brings her considerable first-hand professional knowledge into the classroom, allowing students to work through problems she brings from her professional experience, seeing first-hand how such issues are handled in the community. For instance, she has brought budget and program planning work she has done into the classroom for students in her Public Health Practice class.”
D. Edward Davis, Ph.D., a senior lecturer and coordinator of Music, was honored with the Excellence in Teaching for Lecturer Faculty award.
A colleague noted, “Professor Davis’ teaching approach is meticulously structured, ensuring that lessons are logically sequenced, well-paced, and deeply connected to course objectives. He excels in making historical and theoretical concepts accessible by linking them to contemporary cultural references and historical events. His dynamic teaching style integrates active-learning strategies, including critical listening exercises and visual demonstrations, which enhance students’ analytical skills and conceptual understanding. Moreover, Professor Davis cultivates a respectful and interactive classroom, encouraging thoughtful discourse while integrating technology effectively to support diverse learning styles.”
Nathan Seifert, Ph.D., assistant professor of Chemistry, was awarded the Excellence in Teaching for Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty award.
A faculty colleague wrote that, “Beyond academics, Dr. Seifert serves as a mentor, offering personalized guidance that extends far beyond the classroom. Whether helping students navigate complex career decisions or supporting them during mental health challenges, he demonstrates genuine care for their overall well-being. His impact is reflected in the countless students who credit him with shaping their academic and professional trajectories.”
Another nominator observed that, “besides his dedication to creating experiential learning opportunities for our students, Nate is an incredibly accommodating and caring instructor. He consistently goes above and beyond to foster a supportive learning environment by being approachable and attentive to our students’ needs. With a significant commitment of his time, Nate holds extensive office hours to assist students with Physical Chemistry, a historically difficult course. His enthusiasm and passion for the subject, along with his innovative pedagogy, have made a remarkable impact, transforming Physical Chemistry into one of the most well-received undergraduate courses offered in our department... it is evident that [students] truly appreciate his dedication to their education and the effort he invests in ensuring their academic success.”
This year’s celebration also introduced a new recognition at the University of New Haven: The Million-Dollar Grants League. This designation honors full-time faculty whose allocated grant expenditures have reached at least $1 million in grant funding, in the aggregate, over one’s full-time faculty career at the University.
Additionally, this annual faculty awards celebration traditionally welcomes a faculty member to deliver a “last lecture.” This year’s address was presented by Kagya Amoako, Ph.D., associate professor of Biomedical Engineering.
The Charger Blog
The University community proudly celebrated the excellence of 11 faculty members at the annual Faculty Excellence Awards, recognizing their dedication to their students, their educational journeys, and their future success.
The Charger Blog
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The Charger Blog
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