Each year, the Colorado School of Public Health honors exceptional students, faculty, and staff at an awards ceremony coinciding with graduation. The following individuals have made outstanding contributions to public health and our school. Congratulations to this year's award winners!
Colorado School of Public Health awards
Dean’s Special Recognition Award
This award recognizes an individual or organization for major contributions to ColoradoSPH. This year’s winner is Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Colorado’s state epidemiologist and division director for the Communicable Disease Branch in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Honorary Delta Omega
The Honorary Delta Omega Inductee possesses exceptional qualifications and has attained meritorious distinction in the field of public health. This year’s inductee is Dr. Bill Burman, director of Denver Public Health.
Excellence in Faculty Research
This award recognizes an outstanding investigator with a demonstrated record of nationally and internationally recognized research or creative work providing significant contribution to their profession or discipline. This year’s winner is Cathy Bradley, Associate Dean for Research, professor of Health Systems, Management & Policy, and deputy director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
Faculty Excellence in Student-Mentored Research
This award recognizes a ColoradoSPH faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to student learning by engaging students in the procurement of external funding or dissemination of research findings. This year’s winner, Lauren Shomaker, associate professor of physical activity and healthy lifestyles, and human development and family studies at Colorado State University.
Faculty Excellence in Student Advising & Mentoring
This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to student learning and professional development through advising and mentoring. This year’s winner is Liz Gilbert, professor of community health education at the University of Northern Colorado.
Faculty Excellence in Teaching
This award recognizes a faculty member for his or her instructional contributions to ColoradoSPH. This year’s winner is Chrissy Chard, assistant professor of community and behavioral health and health and exercise science at Colorado State University.
Outstanding Contribution by a Staff Member
This award recognizes ColoradoSPH staff who demonstrate outstanding achievement, a strong work ethic, cooperation with others, and a commitment to the school. 
Avery Artman, marketing and branding manager
Thuy Nguyen, human resources and payroll manager
Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Health Practice
This award recognizes faculty for their excellence and commitment to public health practice or service in the Rocky Mountain Region. This year’s winner is Molly Gutilla, assistant professor of epidemiology at Colorado State University.
Student Excellence in Public Health Practice
This award recognizes students for their excellence and commitment to public health practice or service in the Rocky Mountain Region. This year’s winner is Rudy Vargas, an MPH student at ColoradoSPH at UNC.
Outstanding Contribution by a Student
This award is given to one student from each of our three campuses who demonstrates extraordinary commitment or contributions to our school.
Steven Burton, MPH student at ColoradoSPH at UNC
Raeven Clockston, MPH student at ColoradoSPH at CSU
June Homdayjanakul, DrPH student at CU Anschutz and MPH alum of ColoradoSPH at CSU
University of Colorado awards
Joseph Addison Sewall Award
This award is given to a current or former member of the faculty or staff of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus who has made exceptional contributions of leadership and vision to the health sciences at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. This year’s winner is Spero Manson, director of the Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, Distinguished Professor at CU Anschutz, and The Colorado Trust Chair in American Indian Health.
President’s Excellence in Teaching Award
This award is selected by the graduating class for outstanding, innovative, and inspirational contributions to our students’ professional development. This year’s winner is Glen Mays, professor and chair of the Department of Health Systems, Management & Policy.
Chancellor’s Teaching Recognition Award
This award is nominated by the graduating class and selected by a committee with a student representative, a faculty representative, and an administrator. This year’s recipient from the students of ColoradoSPH is Marcelo Perraillon, assistant professor of health systems, management, and policy.
Inaugural CU Anschutz Graduate School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awar
This year’s recipient is Syd Staggs, an MPH student at ColoradoSPH at CU Anschutz.
Colorado State University awards
Monfort Professor
Montfort Professorships are one of Colorado State University’s highest honors and are awarded to faculty who are considered rising stars in their fields. This year’s recipient is Lauren Shomaker, associate professor of physical activity and healthy lifestyles, and human development and family studies at Colorado State University.
Jack E. Cermak Outstanding Advisor Award
This award recognizes excellence in academic advising. This year’s recipient is Rachel Lucas-Thompson, developmental psychologist and associate professor of global health and health disparities and human development and family studies.
Award winners were honored at the ColoradoSPH 2021 Annual Awards Ceremony, held virtually on May 25.
February 27, 2024