Distinguished Early-Career Scholar Award
The Distinguished Early-Career Scholar Award honors remarkable tenured/tenure-track investigators at Grand Valley State University who began their independent scholarship within the past six years, demonstrate mastery in their field, and show significant potential for continued success.
2025 Recipients
Alexander Lalejini, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Computing
Joined Grand Valley State University in 2022
Alex Lalejini works at the intersection of computer science and evolutionary biology. He applies evolutionary concepts to engineer algorithms and develops computational systems to investigate how complex traits and behaviors evolve. Since joining GVSU, he has produced 8 peer-reviewed articles and 2 book chapters. Alex has a strong track record of securing internal and external (National Science Foundation) funding to support student research. Recognition of his impact on the field is evident from his co-organization of the Conference on Artificial Life since 2018, and his work on the organizing committee of Genetic Programming Theory and Practice since 2024.
Jakia Marie, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Integrative Studies
Joined Grand Valley State University in 2022
Jakia Marie is an accomplished author and researcher focused on the experiences of African descendants in higher education, social experiences, and identity negotiation. Her work abroad was recognized and disseminated at the African Studies Association of Africa 5th Biennial Conference in Lubumbashi and the National Council for Black Studies. While promoting her scholarship through 10 papers, 2 edited books, and numerous presentations, she has mentored many students including a Student Scholar Day Micro Grant recipient. Despite her brief time in the field Jakia’s work has already been cited over 150 times.
Sean Woznicki, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute
Joined Grand Valley State University in 2019
Sean Woznicki has built a successful research program that uses statistical modeling, satellite data, and field monitoring to assess the impacts of climate and land use change on water quantity and quality. While at GVSU, he has published 11 peer-reviewed papers, several of which include student coauthors. His research has been funded by grants from NASA, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Geological Survey, and others. With projects including Muskegon Lake recreational use, invasive algal species in the Great Lakes, and water use in Eastern Europe, the local, national, and international significance of his interdisciplinary work is evident.
About the Award
AWARD INFORMATION
The Distinguished Early-Career Scholar Award honors remarkable tenured/tenure-track investigators at Grand Valley State University who began their independent scholarship within the past six years. These scholars demonstrate mastery in their field and show significant potential for continued success. The award recipients have made major contributions to theory, research and creative practice, and they have earned national recognition for their outstanding achievements. In addition to the honor of being designated a CSCE Distinguished Early Career Scholar, recipients are awarded $500. Nominations for the Award are solicited by deans, department chairs, and faculty colleagues.
The criteria used in nominations and evaluations of nominees are: potential to develop a national reputation; major contributions to theory, research, and/or creative practice; and highest standards of professionalism.
ELIGIBILITY
All tenured and tenure-track faculty members who have been employed at GVSU a minimum of one year and a maximum of six years, and began their independent scholarship within the past six years, are eligible.
How to Nominate
NOMINATE
Each college may nominate a faculty member for one of the four University-wide awards. Recipients will be recognized as distinguished scholars. The Faculty Award Committee for each college will select one faculty member (except CLAS, which selects up to seven, and Seidman College of Business, which selects up to two) to be considered for the award. Faculty Award Committee members are selected by the Dean. Faculty Award Committee membership will be a minimum of three faculty. Nominations for the award may come from the college Dean, Department Chair, and faculty colleagues. Self-nominations are not accepted.
NOMINATION PACKET MATERIALS
Packets with missing items will not be reviewed. Nomination packets must include:
- Completed Declaration Page
- A statement from the nominee, one or two pages in length, of the nominee's professional accomplishments deemed most significant.
- Two letters of support from faculty colleagues who have knowledge of the nominee’s ability as a scholar, and who are not committee members. The letters should address the criteria for the award.
- A current Curriculum Vitae.
** Please note: ONLY the above stated documents, combined into a single PDF, will be accepted as a complete nomination packet. No additional documents will be accepted.
DEADLINE
Yearly on November 1st. The nominee’s unit is responsible for obtaining pertinent data and providing the required information. Please check with your Dean for any deadline requiring you to submit to the Dean's office for review and signatures prior to being sent to CSCE by November 1st.
REVIEW PROCESS
The Faculty Research and Development Committee will review all candidates, and CSCE will forward the names of recipients to the Provost and recipients' Dean by December 15th. The Dean's office will inform the receipient of the award. CSCE will inform nominees who are not selected. Up to four awards will be made each year. Each recipient will receive $500. An individual faculty member may not receive the award more than once.