Granting Excellence - Dean's Choice Awardees

In demonstration of support for academic excellence, each year, the Oakland University Credit Union (OUCU) commits $2,500 to the School of Education and Human Services (SEHS) as a financial award for high-performing students in the form of the Dean’s Choice Grant. This partnership not only demonstrates OUCU’s dedication to fostering educational growth and achievement, but also acts as a sense of encouragement for students striving to make a mark on the community and their respective fields. 

Each department within SEHS is responsible for nominating an exceptional student to receive a portion of the award. With four departments in total, each nominated student is able to receive a total of $625. The winners of the 2024 Dean’s Choice Grant are:

• Elizabeth Germaine, Department of Counseling
• Jenna Porzondek, Department of Human Development and Child Studies
• Juna Kotori, Department of Organizational Leadership
• Adrienne Weston, Department of Teaching and Learning

A school wide assembly was held within SEHS on April 15 where students were presented with their award by Ian Duncanson, a member of the OUCU. Two of the four winning students (Juna Kotori and Adrienne Weston) were able to attend the event and accept their checks in person. 

“Juna Kotori is the hardest working and most solid and prolific scholar I have encountered in over 30 years,” said Dave Strubler, professor in the Department of Organizational Leadership. “She is literally living and writing the book on ‘Kinding,’ her new theory of posttraumatic growth.”

Karen McGarry, assistant professor of art education and studio art and one of Adrienne Weston’s professors was able to attend the event to see Adrienne accept her award. “Since joining the art-education family, she has been a thoughtful and dedicated preservice teacher, a strong collaborator with her peers, and will, no doubt, become a socially mindful and caring art educator in her very near future,” McGarry said. 

Although Elizabeth Germaine and Jenna Porzondek were not able to attend the event, they both received the funding to help with their educational journey. 

When asked about Elizabeth, Brian Taber, associate professor in the Department of Counseling said, “Elizabeth is a doctoral student… and president of the Theta chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society in counseling. Under her leadership, she has encouraged the creation and implementation of professional development opportunities for counseling students beyond the classroom.” He went on to say, “Her dedication and leadership helped make the Theta chapter a very active and vibrant student organization.”

Likewise, Michael Kranak, assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Child Studies had nothing but positive remarks for Jenna Porzondek. “Jenna is an exemplary student,” he said. “She has a strong work ethic and cares deeply about her studies—Jenna is the type of student that makes teaching so rewarding.”

As these high-performing students receive a boost to support their studies, the impact of this gift goes far beyond financial assistance—it is an investment in the lives of our future leaders.