UNH Celebrates Outstanding Educators with 2026 Faculty Excellence Awards
Every year, a chosen few of UNH’s outstanding faculty members from each college and school receive Faculty Excellence Awards in recognition of their achievements in teaching, scholarship and service. University-wide awards recognize public service, research, teaching and engagement. The 2026 award recipients include:
Mike Alvarez, 2026 Outstanding Assistant Professor Award, COLA
ProfessorAlvarez is an exemplary teacher and scholar whose uniquely personal approach to the study of communication has expanded the breadth and depth of understanding for students and colleagues alike. He has literally set new records for the number of awards and presentations that a single scholar has received or given at a single national conference.
He is a powerhouse of productivity, with multiple book projects underway at any given time. One of his earliest manuscripts, “Unraveling: An Autoethnography of Suicide and Renewal,” received a Book Award from an international panel of reviewers.
He shows no signs of slowing down and pulls no punches in his study of even the most difficult topics. His work is powerful enough to break through the noise and reach high-profile platforms like the New York Times and The Filipino Express.
Cristy Beemer, 2026 Graduate Faculty Mentor Award, COLA
Professor Beemer — an unusual scholar in that she has several seemingly divergent areas of expertise, from Shakespeare to composition — has been a consistent and tireless mentor for graduate students in the English department since she arrived on campus in 2008. She develops rapport with students and builds on that rapport to motivate them not only to work toward excellence, but also to develop standards of excellence that match their unique aspirations.
Professor Beemer arranges mock interviews for composition graduate students who are preparing to enter the job market. They are united in expressing their gratitude for this opportunity to practice fielding questions, sometimes giving a lecture to faculty and peers, and then receiving valuable feedback. She has chaired more than a dozen dissertations and served on many more exam and dissertation committees.
Professor Beemer’s mentees earn prestigious awards in their disciplines, and 100% are successful in the job market. Student evaluations reflect their gratitude for Professor Beemer’s contributions to their success — these evaluations approach the spectacular. Mentorship doesn’t get better than this. The English Department is honored to have her step into the role of graduate director for the next three years.
Scott Berube, 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, Paul College
Since joining UNH in 2004, Scott Berube has challenged and supported countless undergraduate and graduate students, earning a reputation for making accounting's most demanding concepts feel engaging, relevant and — dare we say it — fun.
Even with hundreds of students each semester, he makes every one of them feel seen. He reaches out after exams to celebrate strong work, and is always there when someone needs help. Add his famous "Berube Bucks," instructional videos, and real-world cases from his years as a CPA and fraud examiner, and students leave his classes more confident and resilient.
Former student Landis Nadeau puts it best: "You will always have someone in your corner at UNH who wants you to win and is always prepared to help you do it."
As director of the Master's in Accounting program, Scott helped launch the Financial Leadership pathway. His trust-fall video promoting the pathway became one of Paul College's most-viewed, and enrollment has more than doubled on his watch.
Through his commitment to opening doors, Scott's impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
Alyson Eberhardt, 2026 Excellence in Public Service Award, Extension
Alyson Eberhardt exemplifies the best of public service at the University of New Hampshire. As an associate Extension professor and state specialist in coastal ecosystems, Alyson brings together science and community action to protect and strengthen New Hampshire’s seacoast.
Through programs such as the Coastal Research Volunteers, the Volunteer Beach Profiling Program, and community-based dune restoration, she engages volunteers in collecting critical data and taking action to address erosion, storm impacts, habitat change, and coastal resilience.
What distinguishes Alyson’s work is her combination of scientific rigor, enduring community partnerships, and genuine commitment to helping people make informed choices. Her work embodies UNH’s Land- and Sea-Grant mission and demonstrates the extraordinary value of putting knowledge into service. We are proud to recognize Alyson Eberhardt with the 2026 Excellence in Public Service Award.
Jessica Ernakovich, 2026 Outstanding Associate Professor Award, COLSA
Jessica Ernakovich is a professor in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment whose research has transformed our understanding of how Arctic ecosystems respond to environmental change. Through pioneering research linking microbial communities, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem resilience, she has revealed how some of Earth’s smallest organisms shape some of its largest climate processes.
In less than a decade at UNH, Jessica has built an internationally recognized research program, authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, and secured more than $8 million in competitive research funding, including a National Science Foundation CAREER award.
Jessica’s impact extends far beyond her research. She has advised more than a dozen graduate students, mentored more than 30 undergraduate researchers, and helped her students earn prestigious awards and fellowships. Through her scientific leadership, dedication to students, and commitment to understanding a rapidly changing world, she has fundamentally changed both her field and the lives of those she mentors.
Francois Foucart, 2026 Excellence in Research Award, CEPS
Francois Foucart’s groundbreaking research draws upon computer simulations and theoretical physics to study collisions between black holes and neutron stars. In 2015, this topic leapt to the forefront of astrophysical research with the first-ever detection of gravitational waves from the merger of two black holes.
Leading scientists across the globe attest to the quality and originality of Professor Foucart’s research and to his status as a world leader in this area. Professor Foucart has provided research mentoring to numerous undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs and has twice secured external funding to purchase supercomputers that support research across the university. UNH is proud to honor Professor Foucart for his truly outstanding contributions.
Ryan Gibson, 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, COLA
Ryan Gibson joined the Sociology Department as a Postdoctoral Diversity and Innovation Scholar in 2020 and was subsequently hired as a tenure track assistant professor in 2022. He quickly established himself as a star teacher as well as an exceptional colleague energetically committed to the success of UNH.
Whether teaching sociological theory or courses on race and ethnicity, students “found his passion for the subject matter infectious, his ability to teach complicated material brilliant, and his skills in expanding student’s knowledge and critical thinking inspiring.”
In the words of another colleague: “Ryan stood out as energetic yet grounded, enthusiastic yet centered, and deeply committed to all aspects of his role as a teacher, scholar, and colleague … he was not only someone I valued as a colleague, but someone from whom I would continually learn and often be in awe because of his [transformational] teaching, mentoring, and support of our students.”
Fei Han, 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, CEPS
Fei Han is a scholar in infrastructure systems, geotechnical engineering, and data-driven methods whose passion for his profession is unmistakably woven into every aspect of his teaching.
He has established himself as a consistently high-impact instructor whose courses are defined by energy, structure, and clarity. Students describe him as highly engaging and exceptionally clear, with a remarkable ability to make technically demanding material accessible without sacrificing rigor. His students say it best: "Han has been an incredible professor making sure that the class understands concepts in a fun and exciting way," says one student. Another student noted that he "connected with every single student and always went above and beyond."
A defining strength of Han's teaching is its seamless integration with his active research program, exposing students to contemporary tools and real-world challenges in ways that are both inspiring and professionally formative.
Beyond the classroom, he demonstrates a sustained commitment to mentorship, supervising doctoral students, mentoring undergraduate researchers, and contributing generously to his department and profession.
Eleanor Harrison-Buck, 2026 Excellence in International Engagement Award, COLA
For more than two decades, Eleanor Harrison-Buck, or Ellie, as her colleagues know her, has cultivated a research, teaching, and community partnership portfolio in Belize that is remarkable not only for its longevity, but for its depth, integrity, and positive impact on both UNH and Belizean communities. Ellie, a professor of anthropology at UNH, has directed the Belize River East Archaeology Project since 2011, earning international recognition as a leading Mayan archaeologist.
She has led 13 study abroad programs, bringing more than 100 UNH students to Belize – many traveling internationally for the first time. Beyond her research and teaching, Ellie played a foundational role in establishing the Crooked Tree Museum and Cultural Heritage Center, a community-led space dedicated to preserving Belizean Kriol heritage. Her commitment to Belize is not fleeting – it is sustained, reciprocal, and deeply rooted in partnership with the communities whose histories she studies.
As someone who has modeled ethical international engagement for years, Harrison-Buck is a most deserving recipient of this recognition, and we are honored to celebrate her as the recipient of the Excellence in International Engagement Award.
Douglas Lanier, 2026 Jean Brierley Award for Excellence in Teaching, COLA
Since joining the Department of English in 1990, Professor Douglas Lanier has earned the highest praise from students for the outstanding quality of his teaching. Time-and-again students claim he is the best professor they have ever had. His energy is “intoxicating,” as one student puts it. Professor Lanier’s ability to explain complex points brings many students back to his courses again and again.
Professor Lanier also has directed numerous doctoral dissertations. Many of his doctoral students have gone on to enjoy successful careers as professors and administrators at prestigious colleges and universities across the U.S.
The highest appreciation for Professor Lanier’s teaching excellence extends well beyond UNH. In 2016-2017, he was appointed Fulbright Global Shakespeare Centre Distinguished Chair at Queen Mary College, University of London and the University of Warwick. Professor Lanier also served as visiting professor at the University of Milan, the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, and the University of Szeged in Hungary.
It is impossible to do justice to the breadth and depth of Professor Douglas Lanier’s excellence in teaching in this brief statement. Even so, it is abundantly clear that Professor Lanier richly deserves the honor of receiving this year’s Jean C. Brierley Award for Excellence in College Teaching.
Lisa Ranfos, 2026 Excellence in Clinical Engagement Award, CHHS
Lisa Ranfos exemplifies excellence in clinical engagement through the leadership she brought to the UNH Child Study and Development Center, where teaching, mentorship, research, and service come together in remarkable ways. Under her leadership, each year hundreds of UNH students gained meaningful, hands-on experience that prepared them to become thoughtful and skilled educators.
Her impact extends well beyond the university through statewide leadership, national service, and partnerships that advance the field of early childhood education. During a particularly challenging year for the CSDC community, Lisa led with steadiness, compassion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to children, families, students, and colleagues.
Her work reflects the very best of UNH’s land-grant mission: connecting academic excellence with service to our communities. It is a pleasure to recognize Lisa Ranfos with the University of New Hampshire Award for Excellence in Clinical Engagement.
Michael Simmons, 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, COLSA
What students seem to recognize, often from the very first class, is that time with Michael is time wellspent – that something meaningful is happening. He doesn't just teach ecology — he awakens a curiosity that outlasts the course and shapes the way they see the natural world.
Michael exemplifies the very best of applied, experiential teaching. Through field-intensive courses and a genuine commitment to building relationships — both with his students and between his students and the natural world — Michael has become one of the most beloved and impactful educators in the college. Students gravitate to him as an approachable teacher who makes complex ecological theory accessible, concrete, and relevant. They don't just take Michael’s courses; they become part of a learning community grounded in shared curiosity and a genuine connection to the land they study together.
Colleagues feel it too. They have a deep appreciation for how Michael’s forestry expertise, collaborative spirit, and genuine kindness have strengthened our programs and enriched our community.
Jeanie Sowers, 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, COLA
A professor in the department of Political Science and International Affairs, Jeanie Sowers teaches courses on important topics in the study of comparative politics, environmental politics, and international affairs. Her enriching courses – such as “Comparative Politics of the Middle East” or “Politics and Policy in a Warming World” attract strong enrollments and high praise from students.
Sowers’s teaching and scholarly commitments are anchored by a strong interdisciplinary coherence, and whether in dynamic classroom projects or mentoring URC, IROP, INCO and McNair students, she deftly infuses this ethos. Across her classes, she brings historical, political, and economic context, and provides an invaluable humanistic perspective.
Many of her student evaluations note that she brings in “the personal experiences of individuals and groups of people” who are affected by political processes. Accordingly, not only does she provide a rigorous knowledge base to her students, but also diverse perspectives and cognitive empathy.
Jen Spindel, 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, COLA
A renowned scholar in international security, Professor Spindel is an associate professor in the department of Political Science and International Affairs. The interesting courses she teaches include such topics as weapons technology, arms transfer, civil-military relations, and military tactics. She is roundly praised for her expertise and passion, her innovative classroom and course assignments (including wargame and on-campus land war simulations), and her focus on active student learning and student peer collaboration.
As a teacher and as an advisor, she is praised for her availability and approachability, and she is a much sought-out research mentor by both undergraduate and MA students. Beyond these activities, her dynamic stewardship of the New Hampshire International Seminar series places students and colleagues alike in thoughtful conversations with leading security scholars, policymakers, and other experts while also exposing our students to the range of impactful careers for which their undergraduate learning prepares them.
Sean Tavares, 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, College of Professional Studies
Sean Tavares teaches at UNH Manchester in the mechanical engineering technology program. When Sseveral courses were in dire need of change and updates, Sean recreated and developed several new courses from scratch. The thermal science courses, Fluid Technology and Heat Transfer I and II, are prime examples. Sean developed new lecture material and designed new lab experiments. In the Control Systems and Components course, Sean developed new experiments to emphasize lecture material.
Sean uses his knowledge, industry expertise, and talents to bring real world practical lab experiences to his students. He can effectively relate course material taught in the lecture and lab for student understanding. He continually adapts and makes changes so that students can understand concepts, processes, and theories. Sean is innovative in the classroom and lab environment to meet students’ needs. Sean’s students are well prepared for industry positions.
Jill Trumbell, 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, CHHS
Jill Trumbell teaches in numerous modalities and contexts, achieving consistently exceptional student outcomes over the course of nearly 10 years at the University of New Hampshire. Her impact across the Human Development and Family Studies curriculum has uplifted her colleagues and students alike, several of whom have noted her supportive approach and commitment to innovation and student-centeredness.
Reflective, inclusive, and dedicated to the art of teaching, Trumbull has succeeded in cultivating a sense of community at CHHS which extends far beyond the classroom. Her students carry with them the wisdom they have gained through Trumbull’s redesign of the Families, Schools, and Community capstone, which integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion content across coursework. Through her deeply thought-out approach, and through the work her students carry with them as they work in communities nationwide, Trumbull has impacted the complex sociocultural context in which children and families live.
Paul Tsang, 2026 Distinguished Professor Award, COLSA
Paul Tsang is recognized for an extraordinary 37-year record of excellence in teaching, mentorship, service, and scholarship at the University of New Hampshire. Since joining UNH in 1989, Tsang has inspired generations of students through innovative teaching, dedicated mentorship, and a genuine passion for scientific discovery.
He has mentored countless undergraduate and graduate students, helping launch careers in many fields related to science and medicine. As Director of the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research for 13 years, Tsang expanded research opportunities for students and helped establish the Undergraduate Research Conference as a major university tradition. The URC represents a remarkable contribution to the university’s culture of discovery.
Alongside this leadership, Tsang has maintained an impressive record of funded research, publications, and professional service. Through his extraordinary generosity, leadership, and lifelong commitment to students and UNH, Tsang has made a lasting and profound impact on the university community.
Heather Ward, 2026 Excellence in Teaching Award, UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law
For the past six years, Heather Ward has taught legal research, analysis, and writing, criminal law, and other courses to residential and hybrid students at UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law. Her high standards and student-centered approach are the hallmark of her teaching career.
In the words of one of her students, “Professor Ward possesses a unique ability to balance incredibly high expectations with recognition of the individual student’s way of learning.” This combination of rigor and supportive guidance has shaped the legal minds of many of the state’s newest attorneys.
Professor Ward is an alumna of UNH Franklin Pierce and, before becoming a professor, had a distinguished career as a law clerk, in civil practice, and as a public defender. Her fierce intellect and steadfast commitment to fostering an educational environment where everyone can thrive make her a pillar of the law school community, the bar, and the state.