Sixty-five honorees representing 32 University departments and entities were recognized at this year’s Faculty Appreciation Luncheon. (Photo by Anand Medlery ’27, Morehead-Cain Scholar Media Team)
The Morehead-Cain Class of 2025 honored a group of faculty and staff members from UNC–Chapel Hill on February 14 for their excellence in teaching, mentorship, and dedication to student success.
For the 2025 Faculty Appreciation Luncheon, graduating seniors nominated individuals who have had a significant impact on their education, professional development, and personal growth at Carolina. Sixty-five honorees representing 32 University departments and entities were recognized at the event.
Scholars thanked faculty and staff for the positive influence they have had on their Carolina experience.
Tucker Stillman ’25 recognized Michael Acosta, a teaching associate professor of communication, for “opening the door” to a new field of study for him at Carolina.
“Prior to taking his class, screenwriting was a passion that sat in the back of my head,” Tucker said. “Thanks to him, I’ve had an outlet for exploring this interest.”
Sarah Chocron ’25 cited the mentorship she received from Chad Bryant, a history professor, for setting the direction of her academic path.
“Professor Bryant is undoubtedly the reason I am a history major, and he has been transformative in my development as a thinker, writer, and student of history,” she said.
Others shared gratitude for staff who inspired them to launch their own ventures. Eliam Mussie ’25 co-founded a community brand and festival following conversations with his mentor Aaron Bachenheimer, the associate vice chancellor of student engagement.
“Dr. Bachenheimer was the first person to believe in me when I had a crazy idea to start Franklin Street Market,” Eliam said. “Throughout my time at Carolina, he has always looked out for me and my friends.”
The third annual luncheon took place at the Carolina Inn. View photos from the event.
2025 Faculty & Staff Honorees from UNC–Chapel Hill
- Michael Acosta, Teaching Associate Professor, Communication
- Kelly Alexander, Assistant Professor, American Studies
- Cemil Aydin, Professor, History
- Aaron Bachenheimer, Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Engagement
- Reid Barbour, Distinguished Professor, English & Comparative Literature
- Margaret Barrett, Associate Director, Carolina Center for Public Service
- Ellie Birdsong, Lab Manager, Psychology & Neuroscience
- Chad Bryant, Professor, History
- Karin Cochran, Professor of the Practice, Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Elyse Crystall, Teaching Associate Professor, English & Comparative Literature
- Jemilia Davis, HOLD Program Director and Assistant Professor, School of Education
- Tyree Daye, Assistant Professor, Creative Writing
- Bronwen Dickey, Adjunct Instructor, Duke Sanford School of Public Policy
- Karine Dube, Associate Adjunct Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Nita Eskew, Teaching Associate Professor, Chemistry
- Erik Gellman, Associate Professor, History
- Karen Gil, Professor, Psychology & Neuroscience
- Daniel Gitterman, Professor, Public Policy
- Suzanne Globetti, Teaching Associate Professor, Political Science
- William Goldsmith, Teaching Assistant Professor, Public Policy
- David Hartzell, Distinguished Professor, Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Greg Hohn, Assistant Professor, Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Morgan Hoke, Assistant Professor, Anthropology
- Kathryn Hunter Williams, Associate Professor and Chair, Dramatic Art
- Naji Husseini, Teaching Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering
- Adam Kiefer, Assistant Professor, Exercise & Sport Science
- Jim Kitchen, Professor of the Practice, Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Heather Knorr, Teaching Associate Professor, Romance Studies
- Anna Krome-Lukens, Teaching Associate Professor, Public Policy
- Miguel La Serna, Professor and Chair, History
- Saman Lagzi, Assistant Professor, Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Matthew Lockett, Associate Professor, Chemistry
- Sterling Logan, Adjunct Professor, Hussman School of Journalism and Media
- Stephanie Martin, Assistant Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health
- DeForest McDuff, Teaching Assistant, Professor Economics
- Benjamin Meier, Professor, Public Policy; Health Policy & Management
- Shimul Melwani, Professor and Associate Dean, Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Jane Monaco, Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Laura Moore, Professor, Earth, Marine and Environmental Science
- Michael Morgan, Associate, Professor History
- Daniel Munoz, Assistant Professor, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- Shu Wen Ng, Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Margaret Palmer, Graduate Student, Sociology
- Natasha Parikh, Teaching Assistant Professor, Psychology & Neuroscience
- Donald Reid, Professor, History
- Kimberly Ritola, Associate Professor, Pharmacology
- Chris Roark, Associate Teaching Professor, Economics
- Sabrina Robertson, Teaching Associate Professor, Neuroscience
- Shielda Rodgers, Associate Dean, School of Nursing
- Amanda Sawyer, Associate Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Heidi Schultz, Professor, Kenan-Flagler Business School
- Cindy Shea, Sustainability Director, Sustainable Carolina
- Michelle Sheran-Andrews, Teaching Professor, Economics
- Tugba Somuncu, Teaching Assistant, Professor Economics
- Jeff Spinner-Halev, Distinguished Professor, Political Science
- Barbara Stephenson, Vice Provost, Global Affairs
- Melanie Studer, Assistant Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Eric Thomas, Associate Director, School of Government
- Michael Tsin, Associate Professor, History
- Karen Tucker, Teaching Assistant Professor, English & Comparative Literature
- Karl Umble, Associate Professor, Gillings School of Global Public Health
- Wendy Weber Teaching Associate Professor, English & Comparative Literature
- Matthew Weidenfeld, Teaching Associate Professor, Political Science
- Rick Wernoski, Associate Vice Chancellor, Operational Excellence
- Molly Worthen, Associate, Professor History
“When I was a freshman, Dr. Molly Worthen held me to the highest academic standard, while also being the first faculty member at UNC–Chapel Hill to make me feel like I belonged in hard classes. If it weren’t for Dr. Worthen, I would have never majored in intellectual history, and I am endlessly grateful for her constant support over the last four years.” —Jessica Hoffman ’25
