Kent Faculty and Staff Receive 2022 Presidential Excellence Awards

Each year the University of Louisville recognizes the incredible work of faculty and staff with the annual Presidential Excellence Awards. The University honors faculty who bring distinction to the university through their commitment to the areas of service, teaching, and outstanding scholarship, research, and creative activity.  This year the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science has three award winners: Dr. Sharon Moore, Edgardo Mansilla, and Connie Cox!

Dr. Sharon Moore

image of Dr MooreDr. Sharon Moore received the Distinguished Faculty Award for her Service to the Community, the Commonwealth and/or the Region.

From the nomination:

Dr. Moore has coauthored four books, seven book chapters, served as a guest editor on six occasions for peer-reviewed journals, made 68 professional presentations, has 55 peer-reviewed publications, and has received requests for her published work from Hong Kong, Toronto, Ontario, Nairobi, Kenya as well as various places within the U.S. Perhaps most notable is a request from famed psychologist Albert Bandura, who requested a copy of Dr. Moore’s article, “Adolescent Black males; Drug trafficking and addiction: Three theoretical perspectives.” Dr. Moore’s research is solution-based and has primarily focused on informing the community of learners and scholars (students, practitioners/policy makers, educators, and researchers) about the African American experience. Dr. Moore is one of few scholars who have successfully balanced the symbiotic relationship between research, teaching, and service. For her, community well-being is at the center of all three domains.

 

Edgardo Mansilla

Edgardo MansillaEdgardo Mansilla received the Distinguished Teaching Professor Award.

From the nomination:

Mr. Mansilla grew up in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina. With advanced degrees in both theology and social work, he spent most of his professional life serving low-income families both in Argentina and in the United States and most recently as the Executive Director of Americana World Community Center. Mr. Mansilla has brought an exceptional range and depth of professional experience to his role as an instructor at UofL. Americana has now served over 5,000 people from more than 100 countries. During the 24 years Mr. Mansilla has been at the helm, the agency has experienced remarkable growth in both fundraising and programming. Mr. Mansilla’s leadership of Americana and in the larger community on such boards as Evolve 502 (2018-present), the Louisville Zoo Foundation (2012-2021), the Louisville Labor Management Committee (2015-present), Coalition for the Homeless (2016-2019), the Louisville Redevelopment Authority (2005-2011) and as a member of the Leadership Louisville class of 2001 and Bingham Fellows class of 2002 allows him to bring life to social work at the organizational and community levels. In addition, his work has been recognized through numerous honors and awards, including the following in the past 5 years: Charles W. Anderson Award from the Kentucky Cabinet of Diversity, Equity, and Training, Humanitarian Award from the Bridging the Gap Foundation, Advocacy Award from Spalding University, and the Lee A. Webb Award from the Louisville Bar Association. It is from this wealth of professional experience and expertise that Mr. Mansilla engages with students in the classroom. Mr. Mansilla has been an instructor for the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science for 24 years. Though he has taught numerous courses over his tenure with the Kent School, his most recent teaching has been in the courses Social Justice Practice and Social Justice Policy.

 

Connie Cox

Connie CoxConnie Cox received the Outstanding Performance Award. The Outstanding Performance Awards recognize university staff (both exempt and nonexempt) who inspire others through their outstanding dedication and commitment to UofL.

From the nomination:

“Connie has significantly and consistently exceeded the expectations of her role. She has regularly served as a subject matter expert on many topics surrounding processes and procedures within the MSSW Academic Affairs department. Connie was always readily available to support students, staff, and faculty regarding student success and retention. She has played an integral role in providing suggestions and feedback that led to the innovative enhancements of many procedures and operations within the MSSW Academic Affairs unit. She has exceeded the expectations of serving as a liaison between students, staff, and faculty, continually going over and beyond to support everyone’s unique circumstances. Connie continually offers extraordinary service for students and has received recognition in the UofL News by a student for her exceptional guidance and support.”

Congratulations to the 2022 winners!  Read more about the 2022 Presidential Excellence Awards here.