Faculty Recognition | Office of Research and Innovation

Vice President Gage placing medal around a female faculty member

Honoring Excellence

Michigan State University conducts world-class research and creative activity, ranking as one of the top research universities globally. MSU research excellence has been recognized through institutional membership in the American Association of Universities (AAU) since 1964.

The university attracts and welcomes an international community of outstanding graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and faculty visitors to a broad range of highly ranked graduate programs, research centers, and interdisciplinary collaborations.

National and international faculty awards are an important component of institutional reputation. Each year, Michigan State University faculty members earn a variety of honors for their scholarly contributions. Some receive prizes and awards from learned societies or government agencies for specific work or career contributions.

Please review the curated lists of prestigious awards earned by your colleagues and consider those for which you might nominate others. Please contact the Faculty Honorifics Office for assistance.

Announcements

Xagoraraki and TCDA Win 2025 Distinguished Partnership Award

Mar 21, 2025

Irene Xagoraraki, a professor in the MSU Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and her team from the Tri-County Detroit Area (TCDA) partnership have been awarded the 2025 Distinguished Partnership Award for Community-Engaged Research. Since 2017, they have been testing municipal wastewater from the TCDA to survey for communicable diseases. The TCDA counties are Wayne, Oakland and Macomb in Southeast Michigan.

Loewen Receives National Award for Second Language Teaching and Learning Textbook

Mar 21, 2025

Shawn Loewen, Professor in the Department of Linguistics, Languages, and Cultures at Michigan State University, received a 2025 PROSE Award from the Association of American Publishers (AAP) for his co-authored textbook, A Practical Guide to Second Language Teaching and Learning.

Renn Named AERA Fellow

Mar 17, 2025

Professor and internationally recognized scholar Kristen Renn was named an American Educational Research Association Fellow in March 2025. The honor recognizes scholars for their “exceptional contributions to, and excellence in, education research,” said AERA in a news release. She joins a group of 29 scholars recognized with the distinction.

Nejadhashemi Recognized for Pioneering Work in Water Resources

Mar 14, 2025

A water resources expert at Michigan State University received the 2024 American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Honorary Member Award.

Pouyan Nejadhashemi was elected to the prestigious honorary position for his “acknowledged eminence in a branch of water resources science and technology.”

Elliott Awarded Red Cedar Distinguished Professorship

Mar 3, 2025

Kevin C. Elliott, professor of philosophy and member of the Lyman Briggs College Science and Society faculty group, was promoted to Red Cedar Distinguished Professor on March 1, 2025.

Cowan Awarded for Work with People Living with Schizophrenia in Michigan

Mar 3, 2025

Henry Cowan, assistant professor of clinical science in the Department of Psychology at Michigan State University, received a 2024 Young Investigator Award from the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and was chosen to be the Frederick & Alice Coles and Thomas & Nancy Coles Investigator through their Research Partners Program.

Elliott Awarded With Prestigious Red Cedar Distinguished Professor Title

Mar 1, 2025

Kevin C. Elliott, professor of philosophy and member of the Lyman Briggs College Science and Society faculty group, was promoted to Red Cedar Distinguished Professor on March 1, 2025. This title is awarded by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation and the Office of the Provost and is intended to recognize outstanding faculty who enhance the stature of MSU’s intellectual work to national and global prominence.