The four recipients of the 2018-19 Faculty Achievement Awards – in advising, professional service, research and teaching – were announced today during the 41st annual Faculty Honors Convocation. The awards are for "significant and meritorious achievement" in the respective categories. In addition, nine retiring faculty members were recognized, as well as several individuals who have attained service milestones of 40, 30, 25, 20 and 15 years.

Dr. Zahid Hossain, associate professor of civil engineering, was recognized as recipient of the Faculty Achievement Award for Advising for 2018-19. Nominators spoke of his sincere engagement with students, his dedication to one-on-one interaction, and his high level of professionalism in giving effective academic guidance. Hossain completed his doctoral degree at the University of Oklahoma, and joined A-State's faculty in 2012.

Dr. Xiuzhen Huang, professor of computer science, received the Faculty Achievement Award for Scholarship. Huang is principal investigator or co-PI on seven active grants, including an Arkansas Research Alliance Fellowship, and biomedical computing and informatics strategies. She also published several scholarly articles, including four in high impact journals. Huang, who joined the faculty in 2004, completed her doctoral degree at Texas A&M University.

Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch, James and Wanda Lee Vaughn Professor of History, was introduced as winner of the Faculty Achievement Award for Professional Service. Jones-Branch has an extensive record of service, both through mentorships and campus committees, as well as state councils, national boards, program committees and frequent speaking engagements. A faculty member since 2003, she completed her doctoral degree at Ohio State University.

Marc Williams, assistant professor of theatre and department co-chair, was named recipient of the Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching. His nominators cited his high standards of teaching and academically sound approach to classroom material, paired with challenging activities that reinforce the content presented. Williams, who came to A-State in 2016, earned his master of fine arts degree at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.