UIndy Recognizes Faculty and Staff with 2024-2025 Achievement Awards

Today, the University of Indianapolis announced the recipients of this year’s Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards. Congratulations to the following faculty and staff for being recognized for their achievements and successes from the 2024-25 academic year:

The Outstanding Faculty Award

The Outstanding Faculty Award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated exemplary integration of teaching, scholarship, and service.

Michelle Itczak has demonstrated sustained and thoughtful innovation in her teaching. In 2024, she participated in the Faculty Learning Community for Universal Design for Learning, seeking to expand her pedagogical approaches to better support all learners. She made significant curricular improvements, including major revisions to MHCA 502 to incorporate a service-learning component and a thoughtful restructuring of MHCA 574, which has now evolved through four iterations based on student feedback and pedagogical refinement.

Itczak continually seeks to integrate professional relevance into the classroom. From coordinating a site visit to Riley Grief Services and inviting guest speakers to teaching MHC 500 for the first time to meet student interest, she puts students’ professional growth and emotional well-being at the forefront. Her attentiveness to access, including increased materials and resource integration through Brightspace, underscores her inclusive and student-centered philosophy. 

Most notably, Itczak was instrumental in starting the Campus Mental Health Committee, a faculty-led initiative that has already had measurable impacts on student support systems. This leadership reflects a commitment to service and systemic change aligned with the University’s mission.

Outside of the classroom, Itczak served as a consultant for Pittsboro Elementary, helping teachers foster classroom communities. She also provided peer support through classroom observations. She served as a judge, reviewer, and mentor in both university and national contexts, including the American Art Therapy Association, the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, and ACATE, where she now serves as Chair.

In the words of her nominator, “Michelle Itczak exemplifies the spirit of the Outstanding Faculty Member Award. Her work is grounded in empathy, rigor, collaboration, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of students and colleagues alike. She is a transformative educator, a dedicated scholar, and a servant-leader whose impact connects across our campus and beyond.”

The Institutional Leadership Award

The Institutional Leadership Award recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates exceptional leadership by advancing a program, committee, task force, or other group to achieve goals of importance to UIndy.

Dr. Stephen Spicklemire has been a valued member of the UIndy community for more than 35 years and was one of the original voices involved in shaping the R.B. Annis School of Engineering. A driving force in the growth of the University’s engineering and physics programs, he has left an indelible mark on both.

In addition to his exemplary teaching, Dr. Spicklemire has played a pivotal role in developing the curriculum for nearly every course and program in UIndy’s engineering department. He was instrumental in creating the DesignSpine program, which is now the cornerstone of the School of Engineering’s curriculum.

His expertise has earned him recognition on the national stage. Dr. Spicklemire was honored for his teaching with appointments in the Air Force Academy Department of Physics, where he contributed to the development of curricula for advanced physics courses. In 2024, he authored Visualizing Quantum Mechanics with Python (CRC Press, 2024) and co-authored the forthcoming fifth edition of Matter and Interactions with R. Chabay, B. Sherwood, and A. Titus (Wiley, expected release January 2025). This text is used in universities nationwide, including Purdue, North Carolina State, and Georgia Tech.

In the words of his nominator, “Dr. Spicklemire contributes greatly to and is vital to the success of the entire university, but the R. B. Annis School of Engineering would not be successful without his efforts. He is collegial and maintains a student-centered and collaborative spirit, all of which help fulfill the school’s mission. He is vital to the success of the School and embodies ‘education for service.’”

The Outstanding Scholar Award

The Outstanding Scholar Award recognizes a faculty member whose scholarly work has received substantial external recognition.

Dr. Beth Ann Walker’s work on creating a practice model and assessment tool for addressing sexuality and intimacy in occupational therapy practice has earned widespread acclaim in the profession and international recognition for the University of Indianapolis. 

Dr. Walker launched the Occupational Therapy Sexual Assessment Framework (OTSAF) and Occupational Performance Inventory of Sexuality and Intimacy (OPISI) in 2020, with a peer-reviewed publication in the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. Since its launch, it has been translated into German and is currently undergoing rigorous translation into other languages.

In 2024, Dr. Walker published a Delphi study establishing validity for the OPISI. She has completed five textbook chapters related to sexuality and intimacy in occupational therapy. Further, she has completed two international and five national peer-reviewed presentations on the OPISI since 2023. As the premier recognized expert in the field of sexuality and intimacy in occupational therapy, she was invited as a keynote speaker to the World Association for Sexual Health Congress in Brisbane, Australia, in June of 2025. 

In the words of her nominator, “Dr. Walker’s work has elevated the visibility of the University of Indianapolis within the past year and has greatly benefited occupational therapy practitioners and the clients they serve.”

The Teaching in the Core Award

The Teaching in the Core Award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching core coursework for undergraduate students.

Dr. Stephen Zimmerly devotes the majority of his teaching to general education courses within the Department of English, regularly leading multiple first-year experience (FYE) classes, including Young Adult Literature and American Literature I.

A hallmark of Dr. Zimmerly’s teaching is his dedication to student-led discussion. In these sessions, students take the lead in guiding the conversation, while he steps in to facilitate as needed. This approach not only deepens their engagement with the literature but also fosters a sense of ownership, investment, and confidence—skills they carry with them throughout their academic journey.

In the words of his nominator, “Dr. Zimmerly’s commitment to these classes is apparent, as is his strong belief in the value of a general education. He crafts syllabi, assignments, and daily class plans that engage the students in active learning and impress upon them the importance of a well-rounded education.”

The Emerging Scholar Award

The Emerging Scholar Award recognizes a faculty member who is new to higher education and within the first four years of service. The individual must have demonstrated significant progress toward implementation of a successful scholarly agenda.

Since joining the faculty of the UIndy Department of Anthropology in 2022, Dr. Alex Nelson has made significant contributions to the field through an impressive number of scholarly works. He has also developed multiple courses and spearheaded a comprehensive rewrite of the anthropology major program. Remarkably, in just the four years since earning his PhD, he has delivered 34 peer-reviewed presentations.

Dr. Nelson actively involves UIndy students in his research, offering both hands-on learning experiences and service-learning opportunities. These initiatives include:

• Indianapolis refugee ESL resources assessment via service-learning fieldwork, 2024
• Ethnographic research on marriage and fertility decline in South Korea, 2018-Present
• Mixed-methods research on stratification in the webcam modeling industry, 2019-present

In the words of his nominator, “Dr. Nelson’s scholarship is excellent, and it deserves special recognition.  It’s clear he is a motivated scholar, and I don’t see any evidence of a future diminution of his efforts.  In fact, his ongoing research projects make it clear he plans to continue this level of scholarship indefinitely, which means more contributions to important social issues, additional positive acknowledgement of UIndy in academic circles, and continuing opportunities for UIndy students.”

The Education for Service Award

The Education for Service Award recognizes a faculty member who best represents the UIndy motto, ‘education for service,’ in their teaching or scholarly work.

Dr. Julie Gahimer’s commitment to learning and engagement on campus is a powerful example to students and faculty alike. Her commitment to service is equally impressive. She leads the service-learning portion of the curriculum for the Doctor of Physical Therapy students. In this course, students learn valuable lessons through service work in our local community to bring the classroom beyond the walls of campus. Dr. Gahimer also engages students locally through her partnership with the local YMCA. Through this partnership, she leads students in identifying the needs of participants and engaging in evidence-based interventions to address those needs.  She truly models what it means to engage the community and learn with service.

Beyond this, Dr. Gahimer serves faculty through mentorship on campus. Newer faculty often seek her out to help them acclimate to academic life, and she always obliges. Dr. Gahimer also serves the campus at large by sharing her expertise in curriculum and instruction through her work with the Faculty Fellows program.

In the words of her nominator, “Dr. Gahimer has been a faculty member at UIndy for 40 years. During that time, she has taught an amazing number of courses and students, alongside an ever-evolving set of colleagues. Quite literally, she has continued to adapt, grow, and evolve as the University has during that time. One constant for both the University and for Dr. Gahimer, though, is that they both continue to exemplify the motto: ‘Education for Service.’In short, Dr. Gahimer is always giving and serving, which makes her a deserving candidate for this award.”

The Connecting Expertise with Action Award

The Connecting Expertise with Action Award recognizes a faculty member or team of faculty members who has successfully pursued work across disciplinary lines in the areas of scholarship, program development, curricula, service, or coursework.

Carissa Newton exemplifies what it means to connect expertise with action. With over 25 years of industry experience, Newton is able to intentionally blend practice and pedagogy to create high-impact learning opportunities for students. Her work is grounded in applied learning, informed by the latest marketing technologies, and deeply connected to community and campus partnerships. Every course she leads includes hands-on projects, real clients, and industry-standard platforms like HubSpot, Meta, and Salesforce. She has authored and revised ten undergraduate and graduate marketing courses, aligning each with certifications and experiential assessments that prepare students for the workforce. 

In addition to her classroom instruction, Newton is the founding director of the Stephen F. Fry Scholars Program, a leadership and service-based initiative that supports high-performing students in developing as professionals and community members. Her expertise is also shaping the development of the UIndy Innovation Studio, a student-run business services agency focused on marketing and analytics.

In the words of her nominator, “Carissa Newton models how faculty expertise can become a catalyst for action. She connects what students learn to how they lead—and she does so with clarity, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to relevance and impact.”

Teacher of the Year Award

The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes a faculty member whose teaching exemplifies UIndy’s mission to champion lifelong learning through relevant, innovative, and experiential education. The recipient of this award embraces a student-first approach that fosters diverse perspectives, a global mindset, and a commitment to ‘education for service.’ 

In her teaching philosophy, Dr. Tracy Johnson wrote, “Teaching is a complex act, one that requires many different types of expertise. An effective teacher employs their expertise in pedagogy, interpersonal skills, and content, always with the student at the center.”  She adds that, in her opinion, “effective teaching is truly about effective learning. When a teacher flexibly designs instruction based on what they know of their students, students are empowered, and life-changing learning can take place. This is why I teach: to change the lives of my students and of their future students.”

Her classroom approach and her teaching philosophy are textbook examples of excellent pedagogy. Her students are engaged and active for the entire class, whether tutoring elementary children or participating in their own learning. She employs multiple learning activities to appeal to different types of learners, and she does this all with a warm, enthusiastic demeanor that allows her students to experiment, make mistakes, ask questions, and continually improve their own skills. 

Her current and former students have remarked how they use these skills and lessons in their own classrooms. One of her students beamed with pride sharing their sense of accomplishment when a particular concept clicked with one of the elementary students they were working with. “That’s why we teach,” said Johnson. 

In the words of her nominator, “Dr. Tracy Johnson is an exemplar of classroom excellence, inspiring and guiding the next generation of teachers.”

The Collaborative Spirit Award

The Collaborative Spirit Award recognizes a team or department that has demonstrated successful collaboration. Whether they created a project, solved an issue that resulted in improvements, planned a new program or initiative, offered a service, or streamlined a process, the nominated groups are examples of the positive effects of true teamwork.

College of Health Sciences Admissions Team: Linda Buff, Ann Stone, Christie Seidl & Victoria Jeffries

The College of Health Sciences (CHS) Admissions team has navigated a year of tremendous change with resilience, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Led by Victoria Jeffries, the team has strengthened connections across all CHS units and developed a cohesive, team-based approach to managing admissions events. Their dedication is evident in everything from cultivating new relationships for recruitment, to ensuring clear communication and actionable planning to creating a welcoming environment through their visible presence in the Health Pavilion. In all they do, the CHS Admissions team embodies the collaborative spirit that defines UIndy.

In the words of their nominator, “This group demonstrates kindness, caring, thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and enhancement of processes and events that not only create an exceptional student experience, but also uplift the work culture on every floor of the Health Pavilion.”

The Enhancing the Student Experience Award

The Enhancing the Student Experience Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in inspiring students through innovative practice fueled by enthusiasm. The recipient of this award exemplifies extraordinary efforts to increase student success and promote a positive, healthy, and impactful learning experience.

Franci Dilk is known for her positivity, humor, and genuine care. She supports DPT and PTA students—as well as prospective students and alumni—through every step of their UIndy journey. From ensuring smooth registration and organizing student events to greeting visitors with warmth (and often seasonal candy), Dilk creates an environment where students feel valued and supported. Her dedication has been especially impactful during a year of transition, making her an integral part of the Krannert School of Physical Therapy community.

In the words of her nominator, “In addition to the many examples representing how Franci goes above and beyond, I want to further highlight her role in maintaining a positive experience for students in the midst of leadership and faculty changes this year in KSPT. She has been instrumental in assisting me in learning the processes and activities that make the culture so wonderful for our students, and even kept many of those things running during leadership changes. She assures that handoffs of tasks that impact students to me are done so systematically and in a way that contributes to a continued positive student experience.”

The Beyond UIndy Award

The Beyond UIndy Award recognizes a staff member who has made significant efforts to improve the UIndy community, as well as their own. The recipient of this award is a leader within larger communities, working toward social justice, societal change, and service of others with humility and compassion.

Stephanie Kendall-Deitz embodies the University’s motto of ‘education for service’ through her leadership, optimism, and service.

At UIndy, Kendall-Deitz’s warmth and positivity foster trust, collaboration, and a supportive environment in the Pro Edge office. She uplifts colleagues by celebrating their accomplishments, building relationships, and approaching every task with professionalism and care.

Beyond campus, Kendall-Deitz serves as the driving force behind her church’s food pantry, which supports an average of 500 people each month in the surrounding community. She coordinates more than 100 volunteers, develops partnerships to sustain the pantry, and applies Lean Six Sigma principles to improve operations. Under her leadership, the pantry has expanded services, increased volunteer engagement, and strengthened its impact.

In the words of her nominator, “Stephanie is a shining example of the beautiful people at UIndy. She inspires students with the great things they can do and how she can help them to discover it and share it with others through professional communication, meaningful resumes, well-written cover letters, and remarkable interviews. Stephanie also gives about 10-20 hours per week of time in a volunteer food pantry at her church! She has grown and streamlined operations, developed community relationships, sought donations, and built a team. She has meaningful goals of how to continue to grow and improve this work.”

The Spirit of UIndy Award

The Spirit of UIndy Award recognizes a staff member who goes beyond simply taking pride in the University, but encompasses what it means to truly live in the example of UIndy’s mission. The recipient of this award is a shining example of excellence, positivity, loyalty, teamwork, creativity, and cooperation, serving as the beating heart of the institution, acting with integrity, respect, and compassion, and always looking out for the welfare and well-being of others.

Lingjing Song has embodied the spirit of UIndy every day since joining the Office of Student Affairs more than two years ago. Known for her positivity, integrity, and unwavering commitment to students, she has become the “heartbeat” of Student Affairs—fostering a welcoming atmosphere, building trust, and ensuring students feel supported in every interaction. In her role as Director of Student Affairs & Financial Operations, she manages the Student Affairs budget with skill and fairness, empowering registered student organizations while meeting the diverse needs of the department. Her creativity, grace under pressure, and dedication to excellence make her a true ambassador of UIndy’s mission and spirit.

In the words of her nominator, “What I remember most from our first meeting is her radiant smile, her enthusiasm, and her quick and effortless ability to create connections and trust in her genuineness and commitment in her new position. My first impression remains my lasting impression, as Lingjing has excelled in her contributions and dedication to serving students. She is dedicated to the success of our department and the UIndy mission, and to maintain the level of productivity and attention to details that she does, she goes above and beyond the wording and responsibilities in her job description to do what it takes to excel.”

The Emerging Leader Award

The Emerging Leader Award is presented to a staff member with fewer than two years of service at UIndy who has made a unique, significant contribution not only to embracing the spirit of the university but also to providing superb service and fostering interdepartmental relationships. An emerging leader shows signs of strength, integrity, and continuous improvement professionally and personally.

Since joining the School of Nursing just over a year ago, Cindy Kilmark has made an immediate and lasting impact. Known for her creativity, initiative, and school pride, she has spearheaded the School of Nursing’s social media presence, celebrating student achievements, faculty expertise, and community engagement while showcasing UIndy to a wider audience. Beyond her official role, Kilmark consistently looks for ways to create welcoming, inviting spaces—adding plants and décor to study areas, designing thoughtful event materials, and creating resources like her detailed Residency Week guide for ABSN-Distance students. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and ability to anticipate and meet needs embody the qualities of a true emerging leader.

In the words of her nominator, “Cindy is a breath of fresh air in regards to her positive attitude and willingness to work towards not only a fulfilling student experience but also the faculty and other staff. She truly goes above and beyond with anything she is asked or volunteers to lead or assist with anything that is needed. She sends encouraging messages to students experiencing difficulty with testing platforms, lends an ear to anyone who might need it, and freely tells people how inspired she is by them. She is someone that everyone feels excited to be around.”

The Unsung Hero Award

The Unsung Hero Award recognizes a staff member who is dedicated not only to executing their job, but also to helping others and filling in where needed, performing tasks at a quality level, actively solving problems, and demonstrating dependability, responsibility, and perseverance-all without fanfare. The recipient of this award takes initiative to solve problems and improve work situations without being prompted and is an invaluable team member.

As the go-to Communications & Marketing partner for the UIndy IT Web team, Kaye McClendon is known for her quick responses, clear communication, and consistently high-quality work. She plays a pivotal role in maintaining and improving the University’s website, from editing and public-facing tools to advancing web accessibility through training and quality assurance.

McClendon’s initiative shines through in projects like the overhaul of the BUILD and Disability Resources websites. She not only streamlined the process but also empowered colleagues to feel confident tackling daunting projects, providing solutions and examples that turned uncertainty into progress.

Reliable, resourceful, and collaborative, Kaye is the teammate everyone hopes to have—someone who goes above and beyond to help others succeed while delivering exceptional results.

In the words of her nominator, “I find Kaye to be eager to help, even in areas that are likely not listed in her official responsibilities. She’s one of those people you always want on your group project team because she actively participates, communicates well, never shirks her portion of the work, and produces quality results.”

Congratulations to all of this year’s Faculty and Staff Achievement Award winners!