2025-26 EXCEL-AR Awardees

Pinnacle Medal in Science and Engineering ( $3 million+)

  • Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Research Fabrication Line
    • Alan Mantooth, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
    • Gregory Salamo, Department of Physics
    • Shannon Davis, Engineering Research Coordinator
  • E-RISE RII: Arkansas Smart Transportation Research Incubator
    • Heather Nachtmann, Industrial Engineering
    • Jackson Cothren, Geosciences
    • Justin Chimka, Industrial Engineering
  • The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Augmentative and Alternative Communication
    • Christine Holyfield, Communication Disorders & Occupational Therapy
    • Sheida Raley, Curriculum and Instruction
    • Elizabeth Lorah, Curriculum and Instruction
  • BOTAA: 23-01 Military Engineering – Geoengineered Materials
    • Cameron Murray, Civil Engineering
    • Andrew Braham, Civil Engineering
    • Clinton Wood, Civil Engineering
    • Ernie Heymsfield, Civil Engineering

Distinction Medal in Science and Engineering ($1-3 million)

  • DESC: Type II: ECOCHIPLETS: Embodied Carbon Optimization
    • Jia Di, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Investigating the Mechanobiology of Multicellular Morpho
    • Jian Zhang, Biomedical Engineering
  • Soft Target Protection Against Unmanned Aerial System Threats
    • Heather Nachtmann, Industrial Engineering
    • Kelly Sullivan, Industrial Engineering
    • Rich Ham, Industrial Engineering
  • SkyLark: Carbon Dioxide Transportation Safety Research
    • Thomas Spicer, Chemical Engineering
    • Keith Walters, Mechanical Engineering
    • Keisha Walters, Chemical Engineering
  • Robotic System for Spinal Decompression and Interbody Fusion
    • Mehran Armand, Mechanical Engineering
  • Delivering Advanced Electronics Education Through Lab V
    • Alan Mantooth, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
    • David Huitink, Mechanical Engineering
    • Jeff Dix, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
    • Shawn Bell, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • SCH: Large-scale Multi-Modality Learning System to Identify
    • Khoa Luu, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • How Genes and the Environment Impact Health
    • Xuan Zhuang, Biological Sciences

Pinnacle Medal in Non-Science and Engineering ($1 million+)

  • Statewide Crisis Model
    • Johanna Thomas, School of Social Work
  • Arkansas Teacher Corps (ATC)
    • Sarah McKenzie, Education Reform
  • TRIO Student Support Services Project FY25
    • J. Mathis, Student Success
  • A-State DHS Expansion
    • Karan Burnette, Partners, College of Education and Health Professions
  • Office of Innovation for Education FY26
    • Feng Jiang, Office of Innovation for Education
    • Crystal Beshears, Office of Innovation for Education
  • Seamless Transition for Arkansas (STAR)
    • Brent Williams, Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods
    • Shaida Raley, Curriculum and Instruction
    • Suzanne Kucharczyk, Curriculum and Instruction
  • ABC Professional Development Grant (FY26)
    • Kathy Pillow-Price, Early Childhood Education

Distinction Medal in Non-Science and Engineering ($500,000 - $1 million)

  • Rehabilitation Long-Term Training Program
    • Kristin Higgins, Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods
    • Julie Hill, Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods
  • Arkansas Rehabilitation Services Career Counseling, Information, and Referral Services
    • Brent Williams, Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods
    • JoAnn Benson, Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods
  • Arkansas CCMS-Aligned Business Coaching
    • Mary Beth Brooks, Small Business Development Center
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
    • Alissa Blair, Curriculum and Instruction
  • Oak Ridge Hillside Trail and Restoration Project
    • Georgeta Galbraith, Facilities Management
    • Jay Huneycutt, Facility Operations
  • NoVo Foundation Support 2025-2028
    • Carly Hotvedt, School of Law

Pinnacle Medal in Humanities, Arts, and Design ( $150,000+)

  • The Whipple Family Forest Education Center Phase II at GWG + Garvan’s Pratt Welcome Center Redesign
    • Rebecca Ohman, Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design
  • Windgate Art Accelerator
    • Bethany Springer, School of Art
    • Rachel Debuque, School of Art

Distinction Medal in Humanities, Arts, and Design ($75,000 - $150,000)

  • 2025 National Endowment for the Arts State Partnership Agreement – Folk Arts Partnership Allocation
    • Virginia Siegel, Special Collections, Mullins Library
    • Lauren Willette, Special Collections, Mullins Library