Celebrating Excellence

Erin Brannick, DVM, M.S.
Excellence in Teaching & Advising Award

Erin Brannick, DVM, M.S. is an Associate Professor and board-certified Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist in the University of Delaware Department of Animal and Food Sciences. Erin completed her veterinary medical education, veterinary anatomic pathology residency, and graduate training at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, where she concurrently completed a Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in College and University Teaching. 

Since 2011, Erin has taught Animal Physiology, Comparative Histopathology (microscopic analysis of healthy and diseased tissues across species), Applied Biomedical Communication, and Introduction to Animal Diseases courses to hundreds of Pre-veterinary Medicine, Animal Biosciences, and Animal Science undergraduate and graduate students. As an educator, she recently received Senior Distinguished Scholar Mentor Recognition from the UD Honors Program and Most Valuable Professor recognition from UD student athletes. Erin has previously been nominated for the UD Excellence in Teaching Award, UD Excellence in Undergraduate Academic Advising and Mentoring Award, and the UD College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Inclusive Excellence award. 

Professionally, Erin is a member of the American Association of Avian Pathologists, American Veterinary Medical Association, A Diplomate Member of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, and World Veterinary Poultry Association. She was recognized as an AVMA Future Leader in 2014 and received an ACVP Presidential recognition in 2018 while developing and leading continuing educational programming for these organizations. 

Through UD ACHIEVE programs and as current ANFS Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Erin fosters best practices and scholarship of teaching and learning, curricular development, professional advancement, and workplace wellness for faculty colleagues throughout her department and the university. She also provides K-12 educational outreach to regional schools in Delaware and to Little Children of the World in Dumaguete, Philippines.

Gerri Melascaglia
Inclusive Excellence Award

Gerri Melascaglia joined the University in 2015 as Coordinator of Undergraduate Academic Services,   then Business Manager of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance. Before joining CANR as Business Administrator in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Gerri also worked as an Administrative Specialist at the School of Nursing. 

Gerri redirected her career to academia after 30 years in the global textile and apparel industry in positions of product development, marketing, supply chain and financial management. Gerri was President and Owner of SALTA Intl., where she pioneered a niche performance product for the children’s trade – flame resistant cotton. Her company was the exclusive agent and licensee of this proprietary intellectual property regulated by the U.S., international, and industry organizations. Gerri became known for compliance, publishing a procedure manual in layman’s terms—training staff at retailers, factories, and competitors.

As President of the Board of Trustees of the historic Poricy Park Conservancy in New Jersey, Gerri provided a location for the NJ Chapter of the Pajama Program to operate its non-profit dedicated to promoting healthy sleep for children by distributing pajamas and books, and educational and recreational activities to underserved children.

As a result of this unique career skill set, Gerri transitioned to teaching the business of fashion and textiles for Philadelphia University, Immaculata University, Moore College of Art & Design, and the University of Delaware.

Gerri earned her bachelor’s degree at Immaculata University and is completing her Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at UD, where she serves as President of the student-alumni advisory Board. Gerri resides in Kennett Square, PA with her husband, Robert. They have two children, Robert and Laura, and their first grandchild on the way.

Jennifer Rodammer
Excellence in Service Award

Jennifer Rodammer is the Director of the UDairy Creamery at the University of Delaware. A Delaware native, she has been a part of the Creamery team since 2010, when she began working as a student and was later hired on full time as the assistant manager. Jennifer continued to grow within the organization as the retail operations manager and then plant manager before assuming the role of director. 

Jennifer graduated from the University of Delaware in 2013 with a B.S. in animal science and a B.A. in Spanish studies. She has since continued to gain educational credits in dairy processing from various programs including Penn State University, Washington State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Cornell, Westminster Artisan Cheesemaking, the International Dairy Foods Association, and the Innovation Center for U.S Dairy. Jennifer is a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual, meaning she can manage food safety plans compliant with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. She is also ServSafe certified with varied experience in running an ice cream shop and food processing facility. Jennifer teaches the Science and Business of Ice Cream (ANFS 181) and co-teaches Basics of Cheesemaking (ANFS 267). The UDairy Creamery is the perfect fit, blending Jennifer’s passion for agriculture and its significance in our food supply. She passionately shares that knowledge with the University and surrounding communities.