The College of Applied Human Sciences recognized five faculty and staff members for their outstanding contributions during the 2024-25 academic year at the college-wide assembly held on May 15.
Courtney Shimek received the CAHS Outstanding Researcher Award, which recognizes a faculty member whose research has significantly impacted their field in the past year. Shimek’s research focuses on early childhood literacy and teacher preparation. Since January 2024, she has published four peer-reviewed journal articles and two peer-reviewed book chapters, with topics spanning multimodal read-aloud strategies, the science of reading, and educator mentorship. Her research has appeared in high-impact academic journals such as The Reading Teacher as well as practitioner outlets like the West Virginia Reading Association Visual Journal, supporting classroom teachers across the state. She also contributed book chapters that explored innovations in post-pandemic education and strategies for mentoring novice teacher educators. In addition to her publishing activity, she also led or contributed to several grant initiatives, including a $120,000 project funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to support early literacy across West Virginia, and presented at national and state-level conferences.
Johnna Bolyard was named the 2025 recipient of the Laddie R. Bell Distinguished Service Award. This award honors exceptional service that advances the college’s mission and impact. Bolyard’s leadership as Associate Director of the School of Education and Program Coordinator for the elementary education program was instrumental during a time of significant curricular transformation. She successfully guided the program through multiple state-level review and accreditation processes, created new systems to support mentor teachers and student progress, and assisted in targeted recruitment and retention efforts. Bolyard also supports instructional operations by recruiting, onboarding, and advising adjunct instructors each semester. Her broader service includes roles on college and university-level curriculum and accreditation committees, participation in state educator preparation initiatives, and professional mentorship through national academic organizations.
Zenzi Huysmans and Melissa Sherfinski were the CAHS recipients of the WVU Foundation Awards for Outstanding Teaching. The award recognizes those with exceptional teaching and/or innovation in teaching methods, course and curriculum design, and instructional tools.
Huysmans, in her first year as a full-time teaching assistant professor in the Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology program after serving as an adjunct, taught more than 150 undergraduate and 15 doctoral students, oversaw over 500 hours of applied sport performance sessions in the community, and provided more than 120 hours of direct mentorship to doctoral students. Huysmans also liaised with 12 placement sites and played a leading role in the development of a 10-course online master’s program in sport and performance psychology, aligning curriculum with accreditation standards. In addition to launching the new program, she redesigned all her existing courses to integrate active learning, structured reflection, and skill-building practices tailored to real-world application.
Throughout her 14 years at WVU, Sherfinski has consistently received strong feedback from students across both undergraduate and graduate courses. In the past year, she led six classroom-based courses, supervised nine student teachers through more than 30 observation and reflection cycles, and facilitated 15 sections of doctoral research, independent study, and mentored teaching. She currently chairs or advises eight active doctoral students and serves on committees for more than 20 others. In addition, she mentors graduate teaching assistants and coordinates multiple undergraduate sections within the teacher education program. Her innovations in place-based education have been recognized nationally and internationally and have shaped both course design and student engagement. This includes reciprocal partnerships with a rural Title I school and the development of a doctoral course focused on education in Appalachian contexts. Sherfinski contributes to national teacher education efforts through her leadership in the American Educational Research Association, where she has organized mentorship programming and moderated inclusive teaching webinars reaching audiences across the country.
Ken Cornwell was recognized with the CAHS Outstanding Staff Award, which honors a staff member who demonstrates excellence in service, commitment to student success, and support for the College’s mission. As a key figure in student recruitment and onboarding, Cornwell is often the first point of contact for prospective students and their families—a role he fulfills with professionalism, approachability, and care. Known for his positive energy and personal investment in helping students find their academic path, he has helped maintain and grow enrollment during a period of institutional change. In addition to leading large-scale recruitment events onsite and across the region, he also supports orientation efforts and serves on hiring and planning committees.
Additionally, Nate Sorber, Interim Dean for the College of Applied Human Sciences, distributed WVU Impact Awards to: Johnna Bolyard, Sean Bulger, Liz Rexroad, Betsy Robbins and Dana Voelker. Those recipients are now eligible for the Outstanding Mountaineer Award, an end-of the-year award that recognizes the exceptional contributions of WVU employees.
The College also paid tribute to three retirees: Frankie Tack, Sam Stack, and Mary Kinsley.