Program Leaders receive Graduate Program Excellence Awards 

On Jan. 30, The Graduate Program Excellence Awards were presented during the 2026 Graduate Education Summit. These awards honor graduate program leaders who demonstrate outstanding administration and initiatives that contribute to the success of graduate programs. The awards were the Thomas L. Reynolds Leadership Award and the Outstanding Graduate Program Administrator Award. This year, the recipients are Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director Olya Keen, who was honored with the Leadership Award, and Jody Marshall, director of graduate studies, who received the Outstanding Program Administrator Award.

“The Graduate Program Excellence Awards recognize graduate program leaders who go above and beyond in shaping the future of graduate education,” shares William Tolone, associate provost and dean of the graduate school. “Through their visionary leadership, Dr. Olya Keen and Dr. Jody Marshall have strengthened their programs and cultivated the high-impact environments where our graduate students can thrive to become the leaders of tomorrow.” 

Thomas L. Reynolds Leadership Award: Dr. Olya Keen

Olya Keen is a dedicated leader who has demonstrated a strong commitment to the exceptional growth of the graduate program in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE). Her efforts in increasing enrollment, enhancing the program’s excellence and fostering a welcoming environment have greatly contributed to the success of graduate students in CEE. Keen has been an impactful mentor, educator and researcher, fostering scholarship that allows her students to have an outstanding graduate experience.

Outstanding Graduate Program Administrator Award: Dr. Jody Marshall

Jody Marshall has consistently worked to improve the graduate program experience at the College of Computing and Informatics, fostering a supportive and cohesive community for students. She has organized professional development workshops and networking events that are thoughtfully designed to address real-world challenges. Through her proactive and personalized approach to student advising, Marshall has been a tireless advocate, continually seeking ways to enhance the Computing and Informatics program. As a dedicated managing director, she focuses on graduate education policies, enrollment and student success.