The Office of Graduate Studies at the University of Guam announces the winners of its 2021 Graduate Awards, an annual competition that recognizes excellence, innovation, and impact within the university’s master’s degree programs.

Each year, the university’s graduate programs nominate students, faculty members, and research projects that exemplify excellence at the graduate level. Winners are selected by the president and senior vice president & provost based on recommendations and evaluations from a selection committee.

The winners of the 2021 Graduate Awards are as follows:

• Innovative Research Award Master of Education in Secondary Education Cohort 7 “The Impacts of COVID-19 on Teaching and Learning: Coping through Critical Reflective Practices”

• Community Impact Award Master of Public Administration (MPA) Spring Cohort 2021, Guam Green Growth Commitment (G3C) Badge System

• Career Excellence in Graduate Studies Award Catherine Stoicovy, Professor of Reading, School of Education   

• Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award Geraldine James, Assistant Professor of Foundations and Educational Research, School of Education  

• Outstanding Graduate Student Award Jean Santos, Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

• Presidential Thesis Award Mylast Bilimon, Master of Arts in Micronesian Studies “Traditional Postpartum Practices in the Marshall Islands: Inquiries Into Stigma Against Non-Participating Women” 

The Outstanding Graduate and Presidential Thesis award winners receive a $250 prize. All four nominations of the Presidential Thesis Award will have their research papers uploaded to ProQuest, the world’s most extensive thesis and dissertations database.

Top left: Catherine Stoicovy, Professor of Reading, School of Education Top right: Geraldine James, Assistant Professor of Foundations and Educational Research, School of Education Bottom left: Jean Santos, Master of Science in Clinical Psychology Bototm right: Mylast Bilimon, Master of Arts in Micronesian Studies

Photos courtesy of the University of Guam