Morehead State presents experiential education awards
In an award ceremony for hands-on experiences inside and outside the classroom to prepare students for career success, Morehead State University's Center for Career Development & Experiential Education recognized faculty, staff, students, and employers.
The ceremony was part of the 20th Annual Celebration of Student Scholarship. The Experiential Education Awards, presented by Rebecca Wright, coordinator of internships, honored those whose contributions to and investments in career development via experiential education were exceptional. All students, employers, and faculty engaged in experiential education—internships, co-ops, clinicals, practicums, and student teaching—during 2024 were eligible for nomination.
The community impact awards, presented by Coordinator of Service Learning Andrew Sexton (Class of 2020, 2022), recognized the achievements of students, staff and faculty who used their time and experience to give back to Morehead and the service region.
2024 Experiential Education and Engagement Award Winners
Award winners in attendance, left to right: Craft Academy students Jaxson Brewer, Ashlee Foxworth, Jacob Layne and Emma Laney (Community Impact Award - Student), Dr. Gera Nelson (Faculty of the Year), Dr. Itza Zavala-Garrett (Community Impact Award - Faculty) and Teresa Conway (Community Impact Award - Staff).
2024 Faculty of the Year - Dr. Gera Nelson
Dr. Gera Nelson, assistant professor and elementary education coordinator in MSU's Ernst & Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education, has encouraged and supported many students in their local and abroad internship experiences. She promotes hands-on learning experiences through ongoing engagement with the Level UP program. In 2024, Nelson supervised students doing their student-teaching in Ireland and Kentucky while also engaging them in service-learning projects locally and abroad.
2024 Employer of the Year - Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine (AUCVM)
AUCVM's mission for Alabama, its service region and beyond is, "to prepare individuals for careers of excellence in veterinary medicine, including private and public practice, industrial medicine, academics and research." This award recognizes Stephanie Mitchell, a veterinary nurse training manager at the College of Veterinary Medicine. She embodies this mission with her work, including supervising MSU students completing their clinical experiences.
2024 Student Intern of the Year - Addison Pfefferman
Addison Pfefferman, a veterinary technology major from Bellevue, interned at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Sciences. Under the guidance of different mentors, she built valuable career skills such as teamwork, critical thinking, oral communication, and professionalism in the hands-on, interactive environment of the teaching hospital.
2024 Community Impact Award (Faculty) – Dr. Itzá Zavala-Garrett
The work of Dr. Itzá Zavala-Garrett, professor of Spanish in the Caudill College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, intersects language education and community service. Since 2022, Zavala-Garrett has led a partnership between MSU's Spanish language program and Morehead State Public Radio to translate locally produced news stories from English to Spanish. As part of the University's Level UP program, this service-learning course develops students' communication, professionalism, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. Students translate news stories published alongside their English versions on the MSPR website, increasing accessibility to local information.
2024 Community Impact Award (Staff) - Teresa Conway
Teresa Conway, former mental health counselor at MSU's Counseling & Health Services, played a pivotal role in expanding on-campus support for survivors of sexual violence. In early 2024, Pathways Porchlight | Sexual Assault Resource Center began discussions with MSU partners involved in the Green Dot Bystander Intervention project about placing an advocate directly on campus. Conway became instrumental in making this vision a reality. Thanks to her efforts, students were able to stop in at their convenience and access vital services in a familiar, confidential setting.
2024 Community Impact Award (student) – Jaxson Brewer, Ashlee Foxworth, Emma Grace Laney, and Jacob Layne
Craft Academy for Excellence in Science & Mathematics seniors Jaxson Brewer (Georgetown), Ashlee Foxworth (Cynthiana), Emma Grace Laney (Ashland), and Jacob Layne (Catlettsburg) provided leadership in the Hazel Green Academy Revitalization Project. As part of an ongoing service-learning initiative, these students partnered with the HGA Board of Directors, Wolfe County Schools, Wolfe County Tourism, and local community members to restore historic structures, plan public events, and offer tutoring services to local students. The project, rooted in high-impact learning, gave students real-world experience in community development, educational outreach, and nonprofit leadership—including work toward LLC and 501(c)(3) status. They took on restoration efforts, supported Wolfe County High School's afterschool tutoring program, and organized "Music on the Green," a cultural event attended by more than 300 people.
Community partners interested in working with Morehead State University for future service projects can complete a survey.
MSU's Center for Career Development & Experiential Education provides students with helpful tools, knowledge, and opportunities to achieve career success. For resources, upcoming events, and more information, call 606-783-2233 or email careerservices@moreheadstate.edu.
