The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire announced on May 4 the recipients of the 2026-27 University Fellows and the 2025-26 Karlgaard Faculty Excellence Awards. The awards recognize faculty members for their dedication to teaching, research, and service across several academic departments.
These awards highlight the university’s ongoing efforts to promote academic excellence and support faculty in pursuing long-term projects. Recipients receive funding ranging from $10,000 to $12,500 per year for three to five years to support their work through course overloads or releases.
Interim Chancellor Michael J. Carney said at a recent reception, “Thank you for your commitment to high-quality teaching, your dedication to scholarship and for all you do to enhance the reputation of UW-Eau Claire as an exceptional place to work and study.” Dean Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn added, “This year’s Faculty Fellows reflect an outstanding dedication to our students. These are some of our finest teachers, outstanding researchers and importantly, they are outstanding colleagues committed to UW-Eau Claire being a remarkable place for all.”
Among this year’s honorees is Dr. Sarita Mizin (Richard Kopplin University Fellow), recognized by Dr. Asha Sen who said in her nomination letter: “Dr. Sarita Jayanty Mizin is a brilliant scholar who, because of the depth of her service to our institution, still has room to grow as a scholar in ways that will elevate both the English department and REGSS department.” Other fellows include Dr. Meg Lagunas (Mary E. Granger Mid-Career Nursing Fellow), praised by Dr. Sonja Meiers as “a competent scholar… continuously pressing the bounds of nursing education,” and Dr. Rachel Pierce (Mary E. Granger Nursing Fellow), whose future research aims “to inform policy and develop clinical guidelines” according to Dr. Lisa Schiller.
The College of Business recognized early-career fellow Dr. Xiaoyu Yang; Professor Kristy Lauver said Yang’s enthusiasm provides “continual hope for what higher education can continue to provide.” Additional honorees include Dr. Nici Ploeger-Lyons (College of Business Fellow) described by Paula Lentz as “an exceptional teacher-scholar,” and Dr. Papia Rozario (Bartelt Early Career Fellow) commended by Harry Jol for creating “an inclusive learning environment where diverse perspectives are valued.”
The Karlgaard Faculty Excellence Awards were presented in computer science (Dr. Emily Hastings), mathematics (Dr. Allison Beemer), and physics/astronomy (Dr. William Wolf). Funding comes from alumni David and Marilyn Karlgaard.
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire supports a prominent Blugold Marching Band recognized as one of the most active in the Midwest at diverse events according to its official website. The university also contributes broadly through collaborations that impact Wisconsin’s culture, economy, and intellectual growth according to its official website. Its campus features shared facilities with Mayo Clinic Health System according to its official website, reflecting partnerships aimed at promoting health sciences initiatives according to its official website.
UW-Eau Claire has received national recognition for quality education practices including affordability, student success rates, sustainability efforts according to its official website, while emphasizing critical-thinking skills development alongside career-focused opportunities designed so graduates can contribute meaningfully within their communities according to its official website.
