Nine College of Arts and Sciences faculty members were honored with awards for excellence in the areas of teaching, scholarship, advising, advocacy, faculty mentoring and service.

The 2025 winners were nominated by their peers for these awards, which are presented annually. College of Arts and Sciences Dean Caleb Everett told the winners about their honor during a surprise visit to their classrooms.

Benjamin Jungfleish and Laura Helton each received the Outstanding Scholarship Award. Jungfleisch, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is a globally recognized researcher focusing on the magnetization dynamics of nano-patterned reconfigurable systems, spin-orbital effects in magnetic materials, and novel spintronic approaches towards THz radiation generation. Recipient of a National Science Foundation Career Award and the Department of Energy Early Career Award, he has been credited with bringing in more than $23.9 million in total external funding as a PI/Co-PI/participant to UD. Jungfleisch is also the Associate Director of the Science and Engineering graduate degree program at UD which he played a pivotal role in establishing.

Helton is a nationally recognized scholar specializing in American and African American literature and history. Her research and publications have significantly contributed to the African American community and have won numerous awards and accolades. Helton recently won two awards from the Organization of American Historians for her book Scattered and Fugitive Things, which was also named one of the Best Black History Books of 2024 by the African American Intellectual History Society. She has also won awards from the American Library Association, the Maria Stewart Journal Article Prize from the African American Intellectual History Society, and the Arline Custer Memorial Award from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference.

Claire McCabe and Marcaline Boyd each received the Outstanding Teaching award. McCabe, associate professor of English, has been described as a “citizen of writing” developing diverse, rigorous, inventive and experiential courses known for bridging the gap between academic and the “real world”. Students have said she leads by example and “crafts a caring learning community,” encouraging them to take risks in their writing and experiment as they develop their voice. Inspiring her students to “think like writers” in a comfortable space is a hallmark of her courses. 

Boyd is an assistant professor of classics in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Her breadth of teaching spans from first-year honor students in the colloquium to majors and minors in ancient Greek and Roman studies, to students from numerous programs and colleges. Her commitment to her students goes beyond the classroom. Student nominations and endorsements mentioned how Boyd connects with each student on an individual level and supports their learning experience both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Federica Bianco and Davy Knittle each received the Outstanding Advocacy Award. Bianco is an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Recommenders for the award cited her work in international, national, regional and University arenas. She co-founded the Rubin LSST TVS Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) group at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile; worked with the National Society of Black Physicists; developed models for improving the scientific literacy of policy makers and ran workshops on ethics in AI; developed inclusive curriculum, particularly data science curricula and workshops sponsored by the American Institute of Physics; developed curricula at Lincoln University and Delaware State University; and finally, challenged stereotypes of scientists through her TED talk “The Mad Scientist” about her avocation as a professional boxer.

Knittle, assistant professor in the Department of English, has led significant efforts in developing a comprehensive research and teaching infrastructure for trans studies. His collaborative spirit has enabled the formation of a queer and trans faculty working group that bridges multiple colleges. He has also created numerous opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to engage in this field. Knittle's work outside academia include national conferences, invited lectures, and podcasts promoting diversity, inclusion, and community building.

Meghan McInnis-Dominguez, associate professor in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, received the Outstanding Service award. McInnis-Dominguez has served as vice president of the University’s Faculty Senate, past chair and co-chair of the Faculty Senate Diversity and Inclusion Committee, as part of the leadership of the UD Anti-Racism Initiative, co-chair of the Student Evaluations and Teaching Quality Framework Committee, as a member of the Appellate Board for student conduct, and chair of the Spanish section of her department. She has also served as vice president of the Middle Atlantic Council on Latin American Studies and the AI for Teaching and Learning Group. Her YouTube channel “AI for the Humanities” has received international recognition.

Cathryn Molloy, professor in the Department of English, received the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award. Nominations for the award cited Molloy’s extraordinary leadership and mentorship as chair of the department’s Executive Committee, where she worked closely with faculty, especially younger faculty, to envision a new mission and set of goals. Students and younger faculty report having transformative experiences with her that relate not only to academic and career development, but also to personal growth. One person wrote, “Professor Molloy doesn’t think of mentoring as something separate from other things she does. Mentoring is at the center of everything she does.” 

Maria Purciello, associate professor in the School of Music, received the Outstanding Advisement award. Purciello has served in several significant and high impact advising positions at both the University and college levels. She is the director of graduate studies in the School, a position that involves ongoing mentoring and advising of graduate students. She is also the Chair of the Interdisciplinary and Community Engaged Research and External Support (ICERES) Committee, which provides advising and resources to help faculty expand the scope and outreach of their teaching and encourages them to seek external funding for community-engaged research and teaching.