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DUE Epitome Awards commend faculty and staff for third consecutive year

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Christina Downey speaking
Christina Downey, associate vice chancellor for undergraduate education and dean of University College, speaks to event attendees.

Established in spring of 2023, the DUE Epitome Award remains a beacon of altruism. In its third consecutive year, it continues to distinguish the exemplary influence on IU Indianapolis’s campus.

The award is unique for its quality of being exclusively based on student nominations, serving as a testament to the commitment of IU Indianapolis’s faculty and staff to their students.

Christina Downey, vice provost for undergraduate education and dean of University College, created this award to honor faculty and staff for their devotion to student success.

This distinguished award is celebrated annually at the Division of Undergraduate Education faculty and staff spring awards ceremony and recognizes one individual from each category: research faculty, teaching faculty, and staff.

Kathy Marrs

Research Faculty Award Recipient

Marrs’ initiatives have not gone unnoticed by students, as this is her second time receiving this award (she previously won the award in 2023). As a professor of biology, she focuses her teaching on discipline-based education research (DBER) initiatives and high-impact practices (HIPs).

An echo of admiration towards Marrs stated, “Her recommendation letters have been instrumental in helping students secure awards and internships.”

“Throughout my career, I have tried to see the potential in students that they might not even recognize is there, and to provide encouragement that helps them recognize and build on their potential. The most powerful thing we can do as faculty is to get to know our students not just academically, but as people. That’s where true belonging and inclusivity begins.

Thank you to the students who nominated me, and to DUE for making this recognition possible—it is a joy to support and learn alongside our students.”—Kathy Marrs

Elizabeth Wager

Teaching Faculty Award Recipient

In her tenure, Wager has been known for her engaging teaching methods and ingenious approaches as a lecturer of community and organizational leadership studies at the Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Her unique path and experiences at IU Indianapolis have had a lasting impact on her through working in a dynamic community of faculty.

A student who nominated Wager wrote, “Her unwavering support and guidance have been instrumental in helping me succeed academically and professionally.”

"The factors that contribute to student success vary so much from person to person, that I do not believe there is a single variable that impacts their ability to thrive, learn, and complete their degrees. I think that as advisors and faculty, we serve as coaches, a sounding board to help them become their authentic selves. Each student has different levels of intrinsic motivation. We can motivate a few, but to honor their humanity probably has more impact than anything else.” —Elizabeth Wager

Alivia Slone

Staff Award Recipient

Currently serving as an academic advisor at the Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Slone brings in a holistic approach to overcoming barriers that inevitably arise in the pursuit of academic success.

A student nomination for Slone said, “She is a passionate advocate, always seeking opportunities to connect and create an inclusive environment.”

"I cannot fully express the kind of appreciation and humility that comes with winning a student-nominated award. The students I have the privilege of working with everyday bring me inspiration, perspective, and motivation to work with joy and integrity. To know I have been a positive impact on even just a few students is more than enough of a reward; to receive a formal award like this is above and beyond.”—Alivia Slone

The DUE Epitome Award showcases campus impact through recognition of faculty and staff through student nominations, distinguishing members that have gone beyond expectations to make a difference in the educational experience of students.

For more information, contact the Division of Undergraduate Education Office of Communications at duecomm@iu.edu.