Michael Anglemyer

Master of Arts in History

Michael Anglemyer originally completed his coursework for an MA in Russian history in 1999. He entered military service and was unable to complete his MA thesis, but he never lost his passion for history. In 2022, while still serving with the U.S. Army, Michael returned to finish his studies and is now receiving his MA. This dedication and commitment to his academic work makes Michael an outstanding representative of our department.

Nominator: Victor McFarland, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies

Jessica Marmolejos

Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Science
with graduate minor in Women's and Gender Studies (WGST)

As a WGST graduate minor candidate, Jess's quantitative research in Afro-Latinx families, gender roles, intrafamilial intimacy, and colorism is truly groundbreaking in its conception, theoretical and methodological sophistication, and contribution to Latine/x studies globally.

Nominator: Lynn Itagaki, Associate Professor

Mackenzie Miller

Master of Science in Textile and Apparel Management

Mackenzie has been an exemplar master's student and teaching assistant. She reformed our introduction construction course to excel our product development students to the next level. She recently incorporated her design scholarship into her classroom by engaging with our Historic Costume Collection - Ginger Rogers acquisition by digitizing one of the Ginger Rogers dresses and incorporating the pattern into the introduction construction course. The undergraduate student design work was amazing.

Nominator: Kerri McBee-Black, Assistant Professor

Zachary Nenaber

Master of Music in Music Education

In addition to being an excellent student, musician, and GTA, Zack has made important contributions to the Columbia music community. He helped establish and co-conduct the Missouri Symphony Society Conservatory Youth Symphonic Band this year (for , and he frequently went in to various local public schools to serve as a guest clinician. He also has developed a set of lesson plans about Missouri Music that will be made available by the School of Music to teachers across the state to use in their classrooms. Zack has accepted a graduate teaching assistant to pursue a PhD in Music Education at the University of Michigan beginning this fall.

Nominator: Wendy Sims, Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate/Graduate Studies

Fernando Alvear

PhD in Philosophy

Fernando has demonstrated exceptional knowledge in various areas of philosophy, ranging from epistemology to experimental philosophy and philosophy of science. His broad range of interests and expertise reflects a remarkable intellectual curiosity and dedication to the field. Fernando's work has also shown a strong collaborative spirit as he has collaborated with professors in their research projects.

Nominator: Kenneth Boyce, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies & Admissions

Tyler Coleman

PhD in Political Science

Tyler is a first-generation graduate student from rural Southwest Missouri. Tyler entered our graduate program with minimal experience and training; He possessed adequate writing skills but no methodological training. With a lot of quiet hard work and diligence, he persevered through the loss of his father and is now poised to graduate and become a professor at High Point University in North Carolina. He has produced an important dissertation on the causes of anti-dumping tariffs that draws on the entirety of his comparative and international politics training here at Mizzou by exploring a range of causes for these policies, including both domestic political variables like party institutionalization and broader international trends such as the fragmentation of global value chains.  One chapter of his dissertation has already received a revise and resubmit offer from the sub-field journal Business and Politics. I am extremely optimistic he will soon be able to publish the other chapters as well. Tyler has also published a coauthored paper with me on the role of deindustrialization in motivating demand for anti-dumping tariffs. While Tyler has not necessarily been a student to win fellowships or department awards, he is nonetheless a good department citizen. He consistently attends department talks, functions, and workshops and is always engaged and curious. In the classroom, Tyler was always prepared, well-read, and enthusiastic. As a graduate student, he has taught four different international and comparative politics courses for Mizzou.  Tyler has grown and matured a lot since entering our graduate program. To his credit, he has listened well to the advice he has been given. His scholarship and record reflect both his wisdom in listening to his advisors, and his willingness to work hard.

Nominator: Laron K. Williams, Professor and Director of PhD Programs

Christian Culak

PhD in Philosophy

He is one of the most promising PhD students I've seen in my 30 years here at Mizzou. He has several chapters done on a dissertation on the virtue of sympathy. He was a finalist for the Charlotte W. Newcomb dissertation fellowship last year. Just being a finalist is itself an achievement, since this is a national competition. If you need more information from me, I've got it. I'm not sure how to fill out forms such as this one, but please contact me if you need more info.

Nominator: Robert Neal Johnson, Professor

Alison Davis

PhD in Music Education

Alison arrived in Fall 2020, to be a GTA with Marching Mizzou and concert bands in a time when the music performing areas were very much up-ended by the pandemic. She adapted well, and has been a positive leader throughout her time here. She has also shown initiative and intentionality as an informal mentor with newer graduate students, as well as more formally as a seminar leader and school liaison for seniors during their music student teaching internships, and all students at both levels have greatly valued her support. Alison has been a very successful doctoral student, and has accepted a tenure-track job as Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley beginning this fall.

Nominator: Wendy Sims, Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate/Graduate Studies

Ryan Kulesa

PhD in Philosophy

Ryan has already established himself as a scholar of exceptional promise, having published several papers in highly respected journals. His work in both the metaphysics of causation and bioethics has demonstrated a remarkable depth of understanding, creativity, and originality, making significant contributions to the field. Ryan is a highly engaged member of our department, consistently seeking out conversations with professors and fellow graduate students on a range of philosophical topics. He is a driving force behind the department's social events and brings an infectious energy to all of his activities. Ryan's intellectual accomplishments and dedication to philosophy make him a standout candidate for this recognition.

Nominator: Kenneth Boyce, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies & Admissions

Eusebius Kutsienyo

PhD in Geological Sciences

In addition to his scholarship activities, Eusebius has been member in the department and campus communities.  He has been active with two student clubs:  The MU Chapter of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (affiliated with a national organization, the AAPG, focused on research and professional development), and the MU Geology Graduate Students (MUGGS, a campus organization affiliated with MU’s Graduate Student Association.  More informally, but equally significant, Eusebius has never hesitated to help with department activities, such as setting up tables/chairs for the annual holiday potluck or the semi-annual meetings with the department’s alumni development board (he also attends those alumni functions to thank donors in person).  Around the MU campus, Eusebius has been a member of the MU Engage Adventure Club, as well as the Africa Graduate / Professional Student Association.  He served as Administrative Director of the latter.  Eusebius also participated as a member of the MU Ballroom Dance Club, and he has worked on interfaith student activities involving Mizzou Chi-Alpha and the Mizzou Muslim Student Organization.  After graduation, Euesbius will be continue on a research career at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He should be considered a role model for current and future students in our program, and I will definitely miss contributions to our community after he leaves MU.

Nominator: Francisco Gomez, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies

Andy Olden

PhD in History

Andy Olden is receiving his doctorate with a specialization in African American history and urban history, focusing on St. Louis. Andy's focus on public housing in St. Louis offers a particularly rich setting for understanding the intersection of housing policy and racial inequality. His research speaks both to the unique local context of St. Louis, and broader social, economic, and political forces throughout the United States. Andy has also worked with the State Historical Society of Missouri, showcasing his dedication to bridging the gap between history writing and archival work, and ensuring that academic scholarship can be made accessible to a wider audience.

Nominator: Victor McFarland, Victor McFarland, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies