The annual Daniels Awards for Excellence celebrate the phenomenal faculty and staff who go above and beyond to exemplify leadership and service to the Daniels College of Business. Meet this year’s winners:
Daniels Awards for Excellence
The Daniels Awards for Excellence are presented to an undergraduate student, graduate student, staff member and faculty member who—in the opinion of faculty and staff—have made an outstanding contribution to the Daniels College of Business and demonstrate the Daniels values of leadership, ethical behavior, appreciation of diversity and service to the community.
Jenny Dobmeier, Executive Director, Executive MBA Program
Jenny is a visionary leader whose impact has elevated both program excellence and the broader Daniels community. Through strategic innovation and a deep commitment to continuous improvement, Jenny has transformed a flagship graduate program into a dynamic, market-responsive experience that sets a high standard across the college. Her leadership is marked by clarity, decisiveness, and the ability to navigate complexity while inspiring confidence and trust among colleagues and students. Grounded in a commitment to experiential learning and community, Jenny consistently creates opportunities for meaningful engagement and lasting impact.
Stephanie Van Cleve-DeHerrera, Associate Director, Hospitality Career Services
Stephanie embodies a true spirit of service, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to student success and career readiness. Through innovative programming and tireless coordination, she connects classroom learning with real-world opportunity—helping students secure internships, build professional networks and confidently enter a competitive industry. Known for exceptional attention to detail and a warm, student-centered approach, Stephanie creates meaningful experiences that elevate outcomes and inspire growth. Her integrity, professionalism and dedication have made a lasting impact on students, employer partners and the broader Daniels community.
Rising Star Award
This award is presented to a staff member who has been at Daniels for more than six months, but less than two years, who exemplifies unity and positive morale, consistently assists colleagues, is supportive and dedicated to the team concept, and goes above and beyond expectations by using creative problem solving to enhance the internal and/or external customer service experience. They go above and beyond the call of duty by enhancing and promoting quality and exhibiting an exceptional spirit of collaboration with others.
Kevin Forslund, Assistant Director, Graduate Student Services
Kevin has quickly made a meaningful and lasting impression with his dedication to building a strong, successful community of students. Kevin has become a trusted resource for graduate and international students—creating opportunities for connection, support and belonging. From organizing cultural events and leading student engagement initiatives to collaborating across campus to expand academic pathways, Kevin’s work reflects both initiative and heart. Known for authenticity, enthusiasm and a student-centered approach, he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure every student feels welcomed, supported and empowered to thrive.
Staff Leadership Award
This award is presented to a staff leader who enhances the work culture of Daniels by making a significant difference in work life for colleagues, demonstrates leadership and provides guidance in interacting with the staff, faculty and students. Further, this award winner made progress in the development, implementation and fostering improvements in departmental operations, services, and/or successful programs. Finally, the Staff Leadership honoree engages in collaboration through partnerships within Daniels and the University to promote success and excellence.
Alison McCarty, Senior Director, Daniels Career Services
Alison exemplifies leadership through excellence, innovation and the priority she places on the student experience. In a highly visible and impactful role, she has embraced an expanding scope of responsibility with confidence and care—continuously elevating career services through thoughtful strategy, strong employer partnerships and a dedication to continuous improvement. Alison’s leadership is both inspiring and inclusive, grounded in respect, authenticity and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. Whether mentoring students, collaborating with colleagues or championing new ideas, Alison leads with both vision and heart.
Industry Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award
This award is presented to an an adjunct faculty member for the most outstanding performance in teaching in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Phil McCarthy, Entrepreneur in Residence, Adjunct Faculty
Phil has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to teaching, mentorship and community within the Entrepreneurship@DU program. Going far beyond the classroom, Phil actively contributes to curriculum design, continuously enhancing courses through thoughtful collaboration and real-world insight. Phil is a dedicated mentor to student entrepreneurs and a constant presence at program events, generously sharing time, expertise and encouragement. This level of engagement and passion for student success would be noteworthy for any faculty member—and is especially remarkable in an adjunct role.
C. Thomas Howard Innovative Teacher Award
This is an annual award to recognize an appointed Daniels faculty member who exemplifies the idea of teaching innovation and business relevance. The individual must have been a long-time contributor to innovations in learning and teaching and evidence of using learning and teaching technology in an innovative way.
Daniel Trujillo, Associate Professor of the Practice, Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management
Daniel exemplifies innovation in action, continually pushing the boundaries of teaching to prepare students for a rapidly evolving industry. Through forward-thinking leadership, he has strengthened curriculum relevance by partnering with industry leaders and aligning academic experiences with real-world practice. Daniel has also been at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies into the classroom, incorporating tools such as artificial intelligence and building information modeling to create dynamic, applied learning experiences. By blending creativity, technological fluency and a deep commitment to student outcomes, Daniel is shaping a new standard for experiential education.
Distinguished Scholar Award
This is an annual award to recognize a tenured faculty member whose intellectual contributions have made a significant impact in an area of scholarship and gained international recognition over the past three years.
Jack Strauss, Miller Chair of Applied Economics, Reiman School of Finance
Jack has made exceptional and sustained contributions to his field, advancing both theory and practice through a remarkable body of work. With an extraordinary record of top-tier publications, Jack has reshaped how scholars and practitioners approach some of the field’s most enduring questions. His work demonstrates both technical excellence and originality while delivering meaningful insights with strong real-world relevance. Equally impressive is his commitment to mentorship, guiding the next generation of researchers and extending his impact far beyond his own scholarship.
Hidden Hero Award
The Daniels Hidden Hero Award is in recognition of a behind-the-scenes staff member whose work is not often in the limelight, but without whom Daniels could not excel. This person consistently goes the extra mile and always chooses excellence as their standard.
Brooke Goodell, Creative Manager, Office of Communications and Marketing
Brooke is the creative force behind so much of what the Daniels community sees and experiences—often without stepping into the spotlight. With an extraordinary ability to manage an immense volume of tasks, Brooke consistently delivers thoughtful, innovative and high-quality work that elevates the Daniels brand. From major initiatives to everyday requests, Brooke brings composure, organization and care to every project, supporting colleagues across the college with professionalism and grace. Her work shapes how Daniels is seen, experienced and remembered, and creates a lasting impact.
Alexander J. Lindsay Award
This is an annual award to recognize a Daniels staff member who has provided outstanding service to the College’s various constituents (e.g., faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and business leaders). The winner of this award has a reputation throughout the College for their “spirit of service” and for going above and beyond the call of the role in support of their customers.
Lexi Warden, Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships and Societal Impact
Lexi plays a vital role in strengthening the connections that elevate the Daniels community, building and sustaining meaningful partnerships that enrich both student learning and institutional impact. With a thoughtful and detail-oriented approach, Lexi ensures that experiential learning opportunities are engaging, relevant and impactful. Beyond core responsibilities, Lexi is a dedicated contributor to the Daniels community, championing staff engagement, fostering an inclusive culture and creating spaces where all voices are heard. Known for authenticity, attentiveness and a collaborative spirit, she brings people together and helps make Daniels a stronger, more connected place.