PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Aug. 21, 2025) – Every year, Prairie View A&M University takes a moment to celebrate the people who bring its mission to life—those who teach, research, advise, and support students with dedication, creativity, and care. This year was no different. During the 2025 Faculty and Staff Awards Recognition Luncheon, held as part of the annual Faculty and Staff Conference, faculty and staff were honored for their outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence.
This year’s honorees include standout researchers, passionate professors, creative staff members, and collaborative teams. From leading cutting-edge projects to mentoring students and strengthening global partnerships, these awardees are making a lasting impact at PVAMU and beyond.
Here’s a look at this year’s award recipients:
Presidential Awards
The highest honor given by the University, these awards recognize broad and sustained excellence.
- Outstanding Achievement as a Faculty Member: Dr. Lijun Qian
TAMUS Regents Professor and AT&T Endowed Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Roy G. Perry College of Engineering - Outstanding Achievement as a Researcher: Dr. Ram L. Ray
Professor, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - Outstanding Achievement as a Staff Member: Dr. Rosena E. Noel-Barrs
Assistant Director, Advising Services
Faculty Awards
These awards celebrate teaching, advising, service, and early career excellence.
- Outstanding Full-Time Teaching: Dr. Chimi Woo
Assistant Professor, Languages and Communication, Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences - Service: Dr. Rambod Rayegan
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Roy G. Perry College of Engineering - Academic Advising: Dr. Lin Li
Associate Professor, Computer Science, Roy G. Perry College of Engineering - Global Engagement: Dr. Tammy L. Holmes
Lecturer I, Languages and Communication, Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences - Rising Star: Dr. Beverly A. King Miller
Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction, Whitlowe R. Green College of Education
Research & Innovation Awards
Recognizing trailblazers in research and scholarship across disciplines.
- Excellence in Sponsored Research: Dr. Raghava R. Kommalapati
Honeywell Endowed Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Roy G. Perry College of Engineering - Excellence in Scholarly Research: Dr. Temilola Salami
Associate Professor, Psychology, Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences - Outstanding Early Researcher: Dr. Sunil K. Karna
Assistant Professor, Physics, Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences
Staff Awards
From individual accomplishments to team efforts, these staff honorees exemplify excellence in action.
- Initiative and Creativity: Niraj K. C.
IT Support Specialist, Agro-Innovation & Technology Center, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - Personal Accomplishments: Ramona Morris
Administrative Associate III, College of Business - Team Accomplishments: Nate Peterson, Talia Washington, Donna LeNoir, Morgan Walker, Dr. TeKedra Pierre, Latoya Scott, Rina Castillo, Kay Copperfield, Megan Rodriguez (Cooperative Extension Program)
- Customer Support: Sarah Wiemken
Senior Administrative Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources - Cooperative Extension Program Extension: Abdul Hakeem
Extension Agent, Fort Bend/Brazoria County
The ceremony also recognized faculty and staff celebrating career milestones, with service awards presented for 5, 10, 15, 20, all the way up to 55 years of commitment to the University. These milestones reflect the strength, loyalty, and commitment that make PVAMU a thriving community.
PVAMU congratulates this year’s awardees and thanks all faculty and staff for the remarkable work they do every day, inspiring students and colleagues alike.
-PVAMU-
Photography by Q Shot It/Kreadiv & Koo