Paul College staff and faculty came together on May 20 to celebrate a successful 2023-2024 academic year.
The following received excellence awards.
Dean's Award for Excellence: Annie Nevells, associate director of graduate admission and student experience.
Nevells is credited for significantly contributing to growing graduate programs and promoting inclusion and belonging while reducing biases in the admissions process. Her dedication to recruiting led to over 1,100 for fall graduate programs.
Nevells has presented her research on the social and cultural experiences of international graduate students at a national conference and was invited to present at the International Conference on Education next year.
Her leadership style is characterized by her ability to uplift and credit her colleagues.
Outstanding Researcher Award: Emma Frank, assistant professor of organizational behavior.
Frank's research focuses on implicit theories about life, work, and relationships and their impact on emotions and workplace dynamics.
Since 2022, Frank's research has been published in premier journals such as Organization Science, Personnel Psychology, Journal of Applied Psychology, and Academy of Management Journal. Frank has achieved four publications in these esteemed outlets in the past year alone.
Frank has a unique talent for using pop culture to make her work relatable and engaging. For instance, she drew inspiration from Usher for one of her projects, resulting in a paper on "confessions" that is academically sound and catchy enough to be a hit song.
Excellence in Teaching Award for Lecturer Faculty: Kelly Root, lecturer, accounting
Root has taught over 1,600 students in courses like Financial Accounting and Introduction to Federal Taxation. She is known for her engaging teaching style, which turns classrooms into vibrant learning communities where complex accounting and taxation concepts become accessible and interesting.
Root consistently receives positive teaching evaluations, with students praising her knowledge, enthusiasm, approachability, and willingness to help.
Root started the UNH chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honors society, and leads the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Program, which offers tax preparation help to low-income residents.
Excellence in Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty: Steve Irlbeck, assistant professor of accounting and finance.
Irlbeck was recognized for his contributions to teaching and student engagement. He is a highly regarded instructor who teaches two essential courses for business students: Intro to Financial Management and Financial Policy.
Irlbeck is known for his ability to create an energetic and interactive classroom environment. He is often described as a "game show host trapped in a professor's body." He employs competition-style in-class activities and uses iClickers to facilitate on-the-spot discussions.
Irlbeck was also credited for mentoring students on research-oriented projects and consistently receiving positive teaching evaluations.
Paul College also recognized the following retires:
Neil Niman: Niman is the founder of the FIRE and BiP programs and has made significant contributions to Paul College and the field of economics. Known for his innovative research on topics such as Alfred Marshall, biological analogies in the theory of the firm, and gamification in education, Niman has published extensively and influenced the curriculum. As an associate dean and department chair, he played a crucial role in shaping the college's programs and mentoring colleagues.
Catherine Plante: Plante is retiring after a 33-year career at UNH, where she was known for her rigorous yet supportive approach to teaching intermediate financial accounting. A governmental and nonprofit accounting scholar, Plante has published numerous articles and served on editorial boards. Her leadership roles included chairing vital committees and mentoring new faculty members.
Lee Mizusawa: Mizusawa is retiring after a long tenure marked by his dedication to teaching and service. Known for his clear-headed reasoning and ability to focus on what truly matters, Mizusawa has been a voice of wisdom and stability. His contributions as a lecturer and adjunct faculty member over many years have been invaluable, and he is celebrated for his commitment to students and his collaborative spirit with colleagues.
