Harris Family Faculty Awards
Nomination Information for the 2026 Program
The Harris Family Faculty Awards were generously created through endowments by the Harris family. The Harris family endowed these awards to highlight the special features of VFIC colleges and universities by recognizing faculty members “whose professional history reflects a strong, clear and abiding commitment to excellence in classroom teaching within the undergraduate liberal arts and sciences.”
The 2025 Harris Family Faculty Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond, Virginia.
2024 Harris Family Faculty Award Winners
Libby and Hiter Harris Award
for
Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Elizabeth Malcolm, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of
Atmospheric and Oceanic Science
Virginia Wesleyan University
Harris
Rising Star Award
Brett Frye, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Emory & Henry University
Harris Award
for
Excellence in Instructional Technology
Sara Hanson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marketing
University of Richmond
Libby and Hiter Harris Award
for
Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
Alison Ridley, Ph.D.
Professor of Spanish
Hollins University
Harris
Rising Star Award
Kimberly Garza, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Sociology & Public Health
Roanoke College
Harris Award
for
Excellence in Instructional Technology
Wendy Traynor
Instructor of Mathematics
Emory & Henry University