Quinnipiac University Recognizes Faculty Scholars

Hamden, CT - Quinnipiac University’s Faculty Senate recently held its annual Celebration of Faculty Service and Scholarship.

Receiving faculty scholar awards were Jessica Devine, assistant professor of education, Maya Doyle, associate professor of social work, Katie Place, associate professor of strategic communication, and Robert Farrell, professor of law. The awards are given to faculty members who exhibit “a high level of commitment to producing outstanding scholarship or creative works.”
In addition, Jill McKeon-Vitelli was honored with the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, while Stephen Straub, professor of athletic training and sports medicine, department chair of rehabilitation, received the James Marshall Award.
Devine, who lives in West Hartford, joined Quinnipiac in 2009.
"I am grateful for this award and the recognition,” she said. “Conducting research with my School of Education colleagues has truly transformed me into a better teacher, learner and leader."
Doyle, of Manhattan, was hired at Quinnipiac in 2014 after 20 years as a hospital-based pediatric social worker in New York City.
“Much of my research and advocacy work is with rare disease communities, and also around the transitioning from pediatric to adult systems of care,” she said. “The faculty scholar award gives me an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges and strengths of the rare disease community, the additional layer of health disparities they may face and the ways research and treatment advances for rare conditions potentially benefit the health of all of us.”
Place, a Rocky Hill resident, has worked at Quinnipiac since 2014.
“Thank you to Quinnipiac University for championing faculty research,” she said. “This award means so much and acknowledges countless hours of research, data collection, analysis, publishing and engaging of research insights with students and professional communities.”
Farrell, of New Haven, has taught law since 1984.
“I was honored to receive a university award for my scholarship on the Equal Protection Clause,” he said. “I have been focusing on the doctrine of equality for most of my career as a professor. That doctrine is both central to the American idea and not at all achieved in American society.”
McKeon-Vitelli, a resident of Orange, has taught many and varied classes since 2002 at Quinnipiac in the School of Business, College of Arts and Sciences and School of Engineering.
“My career has spanned time in large corporations, small startups, boom and bust dot.coms and consulting groups, but without question the best, most rewarding experience I’ve ever had is teaching,” said McKeon-Vitelli, who has worked professionally as a project manager. “For me, nothing comes close to the spectacular experience of working with young people and helping them, even a little bit, to discover new skills and perhaps a life path.”
Straub, of Southington, said he was humbled to receive the James Marshall Award, which was created in 2002 to recognize faculty who exhibit qualities of unselfish service and dedication to the Quinnipiac community. The award was named after the late James Marshall, assistant professor of health management in the School of Business, who died in April 2002. Marshall was known for his community work, including serving as chairman of Quinnipiac’s Black History Month Committee.
“When James Marshall saw that something was missing or needed to be done, he was an individual who made sure it got done,” said Straub, who has been at Quinnipiac since 2001. “We continue to celebrate his legacy and his achievements, many which have helped Quinnipiac grow as an institution and as a community.”