{"id":106869,"date":"2026-02-12T15:24:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T15:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/?p=106869"},"modified":"2026-03-16T13:47:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T13:47:49","slug":"new-university-academic-excellence-awards-will-celebrate-outstanding-achievements-at-uri","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2026\/02\/new-university-academic-excellence-awards-will-celebrate-outstanding-achievements-at-uri\/","title":{"rendered":"New University Academic Excellence Awards will celebrate outstanding achievements at URI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 Feb. 12, 2026 \u2013 The University of Rhode Island will host the inaugural University Academic Excellence Awards<\/a> on Thursday, April 30<\/strong> at 3 p.m. in Edwards Hall. Nominations are being accepted through March 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event, initiated by the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost, will combine awards from Academic Affairs and the Division of Research and Economic Development that were previously presented across three separate ceremonies.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Assistant Professor Melva Trevi\u00f1o Pe\u00f1a was presented the Early Career Faculty Research and Scholarship Excellence Award in 2025. From left, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Wolfe, Vice President for Research and Economic Development Bethany Jenkins, Trevi\u00f1o Pe\u00f1a, and President Marc Parlange. (URI photo by Mike Salerno)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cGuided by URI’s \u2018one university\u2019 approach, we are combining award ceremonies and bringing our community together to celebrate each other\u2019s achievements,\u201d said URI President Marc Parlange. \u201cThe combined ceremony will let attendees see the breadth and depth of the community’s excellence and impact and join in celebrating each other\u2019s achievements.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The awards celebrate faculty, students, and staff who have advanced URI’s mission through outstanding achievements in research and scholarship, teaching and service, and graduate education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The URI community is strongly encouraged to nominate those who are worthy of consideration in any of the award categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince this is the first year that we are piloting this new structure, we appreciate and encourage participation from all colleges and units across the University to help make it successful,\u201d said Barbara Wolfe, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. \u201cThe incredible work of our community members is most visible to colleagues with whom we work daily. We are counting on individuals bringing these accomplishments to the committee’s attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two new awards related to mentoring, engagement, and service will be presented at the 2026 Academic Excellence Awards ceremony. They include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n