2025 Faculty Achievement Award Winners to be Honored at FSU Convocation

Dr. Seniz Celimli-Aksoy

Dr. Celimli-Aksoy has become a model on the creation of innovative practices in the teaching of quantitative methodology courses centered on critical research methods with an emphasis on critical quantitative approaches grounded in the principles of equity and social justice. She focuses her efforts on data feminism and the promotion of equitable research in Ed.D. programs. In addition to an extensive and exemplary record as a teaching faculty and scholar, a valuable element of her academic practice is her commitment to serve as both a mentor to her students as well as a champion of their advancements as researchers. Celimli-Aksoy’s contributions to the field include numerous publications and presentations at local, national and international conferences. 

Dr. Busra Keles Cadenazzi

Dr. Cadenazzi is being honored for her work in MBA pedagogy and course design. In her first year of teaching, she developed three new courses for the Business Analytics MBA programs, centering each around student-focused methods and innovations that demystified advanced analytics and earned her an outstanding average teaching evaluation setting a new benchmark for excellence. Beyond her course innovations, Candenazzi achieved Quality Masters certification in 2024, ensuring FSU’s online offerings meet demanding national standards for accessibility and academic rigor. She has also spearheaded a series of college-level workshops designed to foster faculty collaboration and elevate teaching practices. Through her integrated approach to teaching and learning, Candenazzi is shaping the next generation of data savvy business leaders.

Dr. Yiming Zhuang

Since joining FSU in 2020, Dr. Zhuang has authored twelve peer-reviewed journal articles, nine in AACSB “A” rated outlets, and two book chapters, with seven additional manuscripts currently under review at top-tier journals. This level of productivity has drawn high praise from his dean and colleagues. Zhuang has dedicated himself to timely and cutting-edge research and pioneered the integration of AI-driven analytics with sustainable supply-chain design, developed resilience models and is charting new territory in circular-economy metrics, blockchain-enabled logistics and predictive demand forecasting. He has also been appointed to the Editorial Review Board of the Journal of Supply Chain Management, the field’s flagship journal, where he helps shape the discipline’s future.

Jennifer Browne

Browne has been the director of the Center for Literary Arts since 2016, has served on the Board of the Allegany Arts Council since 2020 and has organized countless literary events for the community at large. To date, her crowning personal academic achievement has been the publication of American Crow, her first full length book of poetry, as well as the publication of 30 additional poems in last year. Moreover, Browne has published two chapbooks this year alone and has been the feature reader at numerous events. She has always kept Frostburg State University a key force in the development and promotion of the literary arts in the area and is one of the faces of culture in the region.

Dr. Kenneth Levitt

Dr. Levitt is being recognized for his exceptional leadership both on and off campus. For several years he served on the Faculty Senate, chairing the Faculty Concerns Committee and utilizing his collaborative approach to strengthen shared governance and foster faculty unity. As the co-chair of his college’s curriculum committee and MBA program coordinator, Levitt launched the pioneering 4-1 bachelor’s to MBA pathway, which was commended by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education for expanding graduate education access. As a long-term advisor of SHRM student chapter, Levitt worked closely with students to guide them to a victory at last year’s case competition. His commitment to service, however, extends beyond FSU. Levitt held board and officer positions at Temple Ber Chayim where he organized Frostburg’s 2023 Holocaust remembrance, and he previously served as president of Temple Covenant of Peace. He has shared his expertise on the Pocono Medical Center board and chaired conferences for the Institute for Behavioral and Applied Management, thus enriching the campus community and the region.