University of Denver Recognizes Outstanding Faculty, Staff With 2026 Awards

The University of Denver is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Faculty and Staff Awards, celebrating employees for their contributions to the DU community. Each year, candidates are nominated by their peers to recognize their scholarship, leadership, innovation, and more. The awards are presented by the Faculty and Staff Senates in collaboration with the offices of the provost and chancellor and Human Resources and Inclusive Community. Congratulations to all the recipients! 

Faculty Awards 

Mohammad H. Mahoor, PhD, professor of computer science at the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science, has won the Distinguished University Professor Award. Mahoor joined the University in 2008 and directs the Artificial Intelligence and Social Robotics Lab, where his research has centered on social robotics and emotional intelligence in AI technology. Mahoor has demonstrated a commitment to improving lives, exploring how technology may benefit children with special needs and older adults facing dementia. The Distinguished University Professor Award—DU’s highest accolade for faculty members—recognizes Mahoor’s scholarly productivity, his distinction in his field, and the positive impact of his work.  

Kateri McRae, PhD, chair of the Psychology Department and professor of psychology at the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS), is the winner of the University Lecturer Award for excellent creative and scholarly work. McRae is currently DU’s 4D Senior Scholar of Resilience and studies the relationship between emotion and cognition. She also co-leads the Resilience Lab at DU, which recently hosted multiple webinars on how to build resilience in student scientists.   

Shannon Murphy, PhD, professor of biological sciences at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, is the recipient of the Distinguished Scholar Award. This award recognizes unusually significant and meritorious achievement in professional scholarship that enhances classroom teaching. Murphy studies the ecology and evolution of interactions between plants and insects, and how those interactions are affected by global change. Her work, often done with students, has drawn national and international acclaim.  

Sachin Desai, teaching professor at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, has won the Distinguished Teaching Award. Desai is an alum of DU and began teaching at the Daniels College of Business in 2004 before moving to Korbel in 2012. Ever since, he has developed and taught several Korbel graduate courses in statistics, econometrics, statistical computing, and data visualization. Desai is highly regarded by his students and peers and has been recognized multiple times for his commitment to student success.  

Andrea Stanton, PhD, associate dean for curricular advancement and professor of Islamic studies and digital religion at CAHSS, is the winner of the Faculty Service Award. This award highlights outstanding service to the University, the surrounding community, and the academic profession. Stanton is a renowned scholar of history in the Middle East and the intersection of media and religion. She teaches a range of courses between CAHSS and Korbel and directs the former’s minors in Middle East Studies and Applied AI and Society.  

Benjamin Paul Gochman, PhD, has won the Ruth Murray Underhill Teaching Award recognizing excellence in teaching by an adjunct faculty member. Gochman has 25 years of experience working in the federal government and international business, and for the last 12 years, he has taught courses on homeland security, defense, and more at Korbel. Gochman is also a lead instructor of Korbel’s certificate program in homeland security.   

Staff Awards 

Hope Danecki is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Service Award. As the practicum and internship coordinator for the master’s program in International Disaster Psychology: Trauma and Global Mental Health (MAIDP) at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Danecki oversaw the placement of more than 80 students in clinical training experiences—at home and abroad—in the 2025-2026 academic year. Danecki also led efforts to bolster MAIDP’s documentation and review practices, ensuring continued compliance for accreditation by the American Psychological Association.   

Marissa Olan has won the Staff Innovator Award. Olan is the administrative director of clinical programs at the Sturm College of Law and manages the Student Law Office. In less than three years, she has updated the firm’s filing system and improved office security while making its services more accessible to the public. Olan introduced a new digital case management system and created an online intake form for clients. She also led office renovations to create a more welcoming and ADA-accessible space. 

Staff Senate President Katia Miller is the winner of this year’s Crimson and Gold Award recognizing outstanding volunteer work for the University. Miller is the assistant director of program assessment in the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis, but she donates much of her free time to the Staff Senate, which she joined in 2025. This year, Miller has proposed and drafted multiple resolutions aimed at increasing holiday time for staff, including one in support of staff sabbaticals. 

Finally, the Learning Effectiveness Program (LEP) has received the Quality Department Award for going above and beyond in its service to students. LEP provides holistic support to more than 420 neurodivergent students at DU, helping them build confidence, find community, and navigate college life—and it also promotes a broader culture of inclusivity and understanding on campus. To date, LEP’s Neurodiversity Institute has trained more than 300 DU faculty and staff on how to better teach and serve neurodivergent students.