Faculty Career Champions

The University of Denver’s faculty take immense pride in the roles they play as not just academic teachers and experts, but as career and life mentors for their students as well. At DU, building a constellation of mentors starts on day one for students, and is a vital component of the 4D Experience. The Faculty Career Champion award is a true example of just that, as it demonstrates the ways DU faculty foster the 4D Experience for students and help them pursue careers and lives of purpose.

The Faculty Career Champion is a student nominated award that celebrates outstanding faculty mentors and tells the compelling story of how DU faculty impact students’ career and professional development goals.

Each Spring GSSW students nominate faculty for the Faculty Career Champion award. GSSW Faculty Career Champions are then considered for the Faculty Career Champion Award of Excellence that is awarded to two GSSW recipients through the DU Career & Professional Development Office. Prior Faculty Career Champion award recipients include:

Faculty Career Champion Award of Excellence Recipients:

Professor Daniel Brisson

Professor Daniel Brisson is a recipient of the '25 the Faculty Career Champion in Excellence for helping students navigate the social work research arena and expanding students networks.

Adjunct Professor Martina Porter

Adjunct Professor Martina Porter stood out as the '20 Faculty Career Champion with many students stating that she goes above and beyond with advice, skill building and challenging her students at many levels.

Watch Martina’s Faculty Career Champion student nomination video.

Clinical Associate Professor Michael Talamantes

The '20 Graduate Faculty Career Champion has been awarded to Clinical Associate Professor Michael Talamantes. Michael’s dedication and passion for career development was quite evident in the student nominations we received.

Watch Michael's student nomination video.

Adjunct Faculty Shenhaye Ferguson

Adjunct Professor Shenhaye Ferguson was awarded the '25 Faculty Career Champion Award of Excellence as a steady mentor who challenges students with a voice of compassion.

GSSW Faculty Career Champions

*Indicates faculty members that have been nominated multiple years.

Adjunct Faculty

(Keep in mind that not all adjunct faculty teach every quarter/year)

Aaron Green
Amanda Laukant*
Amy Staley
Andie Putnam
Anna Sihon*
Brian Gonzales
Carissa Fralin*
Carla Hase
Casimir Bemski*
Christopher Heckert*
Colleen Gibley Reed*
Courtney Chott
Courtney Hoskins
Courtney Taucher-Cornelius*
Cynthia Sorensen*
Denise Rice*
Dominique (Dom) Harris*
Eileen Fair
Ethan Haymovitz
Francis Agyakwa
Heather Kennedy
Jaime Rall
Jamie Glick
Jamie Rabkin
Jenn Calabrese
Jennifer Maddox
Jessica Lapham
Kara Lapso*
Kate Hoffman
Kristina Wilburn
Laurel Okasaki-Cardos
Lauren Delle-Cotgageorge
Leah Goetz
Leigh Her-Moua
Lindsay Rojas
Lori Blinderman*
Lorna Lind McDonald
Madeha Sunzeri
Maleeka Jihad
Margaret Brugger
Mario Rodriguez
Marisa Motiff
Martina Porter
Matthew Saks
Megan Devenport
Melinda Flynn
Michele Smith*
Michelle Doosey
Morgan Gonzales
Natalie Hittmeier
Rachael Anderson
Rachel Derrington
Savahanna Matyasic
Shannon Root
Sharon Wheeler
Shenhaye Ferguson*
Sladjana Todorovic
Sloane Hawes
Steven Moss
Tony Hernandez
Trish Becker-Hafnor
Web Brown