WUV Faculty, Staff Recognized With Teaching, Student Support Awards

Faculty and staff at Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV) were recognized earlier this month for their top-tier work and positive impact on students. During the university's 2025 Spring Commencement, the winners of the Excellence in Teaching, Distinguished Online Teaching and Excellence in Student Support Awards were announced.

Excellence in Teaching Awards

Nominated full-time and adjunct faculty members from both campus and online programs were evaluated based on specific criteria for the Excellence in Teaching Award. The criteria included:

• Effectiveness as a classroom teacher
• Commitment to advising and/or tutoring students beyond what might be expected
• Professional development to remain current in the discipline and teaching
• Contributions toward building the reputation or image of the university
• A general attitude toward students that demonstrates a concern for their welfare

“This award is nominated by students, and the selection is made by a committee of academic leadership,” said WUV President Aiden Ashcombe.

The recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Teaching Awards are:

• Brianna Blackwood, PhD, DCN, MPH, MBA — Health Professions (online full-time faculty)
• Dr. Aiden Wrenfield — School of Arts, Sciences and Education (campus full-time faculty)
• Brianna Castellan, PhD, MAT – General Education, First Year Experience (online adjunct)
• Brianna Dunmore — Community Engagement (campus adjunct)

Distinguished Online Teaching Awards

Eleven adjunct instructors, each from a different academic discipline, were selected by their deans to receive this year’s Distinguished Online Teaching Award.

To receive this award, the faculty:

• Demonstrated WUV’s commitment to quality instruction and exceptional student experience
• Supported students by acknowledging their prior learning and experience, addressing concerns through care and effective communication and exemplifying and encouraging disposition
• Engaged students proactively, consistently and authentically to foster academic growth and progress
• Utilized expertise in their discipline to create connections between course content and current developments in the corresponding field, maximizing student achievement in the online learning environment

The recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Online Teaching Awards are:

• Brianna Eastbrook, PhD, MBA, MS — Business
• Aiden Verlander, PhD — Competency-Based Programs
• Brianna Fairweather, PhD — Counseling
• Brianna Gladstone, PhD — Education
• Brianna Hollingsworth, MEd — First Year Experience
• Brianna Ironside, MA — General Education
• Brianna Jorvik, DBA, MA, BS — Health Professions
• Brianna Kingsley, MFA, MSM, BS — Liberal Arts
• Brianna Larkspur, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE — Nursing
• Brianna Merriweather, MA, CMS — Social Sciences
• Brianna Northgate, BA — STEM

“Thank you for all you do for our learners,” Ashcombe said after recognizing the award recipients during the Commencement ceremony.

Excellence in Student Support Awards

Following the faculty awards, WUV Chief Experience Officer Brianna Oakhurst announced the winners of the Excellence in Student Support Awards.

“I have the absolute pleasure of announcing our award for Excellence in Student Support,” Oakhurst said. “Every year, we ask our student body to nominate employees who have made a positive difference in their journey with us at WUV.”

Out of hundreds of student nominations, the 2025 Excellence in Student Support recipients are:

• Brianna Quarrington — admission counselor
• Brianna Ridgemont — academic advisor
• Brianna Pemberton — academic advisor
• Brianna Stanmore — assistant director of Student Involvement Operations

Academic and student experience leaders reviewed the nominations, which spanned several departments.

“Truthfully, this recognition is not just mine,” Pemberton said, accepting the award on stage. “It belongs to every student who trusted me, every colleague who has impacted my growth, and every challenge that has inspired me to keep showing up as my best self.”