HHS Alumni Awards 2025-26

The Dean’s Award for Excellence is given at the discretion of the dean for exceptional service, scholarship, or other exemplary contributions to the mission and advancement of HHS and UNCG. This year’s recipient, Chris Wilson, graduated with a bachelor’s degree from UNCG in 1998 in Recreation, Parks and Tourism (Community Therapeutic Recreation) with a concentration in Leisure Services Management.

Wilson went on to have a successful career in public administration and government affairs, dedicating more than 20 years to the city of Greensboro. His career started as the manager of the Bur-Mil Park, before gradually progressing to larger city roles, including the Park Management and Operations Division Manager; Parks and Recreation Director; Assistant City Manager; and Deputy City Manager He served as the interim city manager twice. His career with the city advanced the quality of life, public safety and economic development of the city.

Some of his larger accomplishments include the redevelopment of Revolution Mill and the Renaissance Shopping Center, the development of the Battleground Parks District and being one of the people involved with the economic development negotiations that resulted in the Toyota Battery Manufacturing Facility to North Carolina.

Wilson also remained connected to UNCG, serving as a lecturer in the Community and Therapeutic Recreation Department from 2003-2006. Upon his retirement from the city of Greensboro in June 2025, Wilson took a job as the manager of government affairs with Cone Health.

Wilson has received numerous recognitions during his professional career. These include the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest honor; a key to the city of Greensboro; UNCG Ethel Martus Lawther Distinguished Alumni Award; Piedmont Triad Regional Council Distinguished Service Award; N.C. Recreation and Park Society Outstanding Young Professional of the Year; and becoming a fellow with the N.C. Recreation and Parks Association.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor given to an outstanding alumnus. It recognizes a person with national/international stature through their achievements in teaching, scholarship, service, administration, leadership, creative endeavors, human relationships, or inspiration.

Adam Buchanan is this year’s recipient, having earned his M.S. in Genetic Counseling (Genetic Counseling Program) in 2004, after already earning a Master of Public Health in health behavior and health education. He specializes in assessing genetic counseling outcomes, cancer risk management behaviors, and early detection of cancer.

Buchanan began his professional career at the Duke Cancer Prevention, Detection and Control Research Program at Duke Cancer Institute as a project manager and health educator, before advancing to a genetic counselor and clinical research coordinator II, then research scientist and member of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences. Buchanan also worked as a consultant for the High-Risk clinic at Derrick L. Davis Forsyth Regional Cancer Center in Winston-Salem and for a research study at UT-Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

In 2014 he became professor at Geisinger Health System’s Genomic Medicine Institute in Pennsylvania, studied at the Training Institute in Dissemination and Implementation Research in Cancer in Maryland in 2018, and in 2020 became the director of the Institute.

Buchanan has secured more than $15 million in grants, including being the principal investigator (PI) on a $12 million grant for his study on early detection of cancers. In addition, he has more than 48 peer-reviewed publications in journals. He has presented his work nationally and internationally at meetings and has more than 50 peer-reviewed posters.

Buchanan has a record of service to his profession, as well. He’s served as an academic lecturer at institutions; been president of the American Board of Genetic Counseling board of directors in 2020; and been a valuable resource for UNCG’s Genetic Counseling program, having been a student mentor, a Capstone Committee member and a clinical supervisor.

The Public Service Award is given to a person who has made an extraordinary contribution to the mission and advancement of the School. Michelle Schneider is one of these individuals, having made a meaningful impact on the lives and well-being of our community.

Schneider has been engaged with UNCG since she graduated wither her bachelor’s degree in 1991. This includes serving as UNCG’s Campaign Director for the Students First Campaign from 1998 to 2008, raising more than $90 million in this role. She also served as Director of Reunion Giving and Director of Development for the School of Music and the School of Human Environmental Sciences (now HHS). More recently, Schneider created the first paid internship for the Department of Social Work bachelor’s program, funding one student annually in a Cone Health internship.

She has a legacy of fundraising for impactful organizations in the Triad, including Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro and Cone Health. At Cone, Schneider secured its largest gift ever, of $7.5 million, as well as launched the organization’s first fundraising campaign, raising $35 million in two years.

In addition to her professional career, Schneider serves her community on two Guilford County organizations focused on K-12 education: as a board member of both shift_ed and the Guilford Education Alliance.

The Emerging Leader Award is given in recognition of an alumnus who exemplifies outstanding professional and personal development through traditional channels or innovative approaches. The award is given within 10 years of the person’s graduation (Genetic Counseling Program).

Rebecca LaShay Araujo is a dedicated innovator in the field of genetic counseling. Since 2021 she’s been the assistant director and adjunct professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) M.S. in Genetic Counseling Program. In this position, Araujo also serves as a curriculum committee member, an administrator for student case logs, an admissions committee member, an advisory board member, she co-created and maintains the M.S. in Genetic Counseling Awards, assists with accreditation for Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC), and evaluates student performance on capstone work.

She was previously an assistant clinical professor at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), and a cancer genetic counselor at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven. Araujo has served as the course co-instructor for several genetics classes, as well as having served as a thesis and capstone committee member at UCI and UCLA, working with students to create realistic research projects and posters for conferences.

Araujo has served as a peer reviewer with the Journal of Genetic Counseling since 2024 and was a speaker for the NSGC (National Society for Genetic Counselors) annual conference that year. In addition, she’s dedicated her time to the profession in many roles and organizations. A few highlights include as co-chair of the NSGC Leadership and Management Special Interest Group; several roles with the Southern California Genetic Counselor Executive Board of Directors, including as president; the NSGC Professional Status Survey (PSS) Committee member and lead reviewer; and a mentor with NSGC.

She received the Genetic Counseling Program Award for Exceptional Contributions from UCLA in 2024.

Since graduating from UNCG in 2009 with her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology (Communication Sciences and Disorders), Dr. Zoi Gkalitsiou earned her Ph.D. at the University of Texas, where she went on to serve as the clinical supervisor at the University’s Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute, then an assistant professor at the University’s Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. She is currently an assistant professor at the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Cal State University in East Bay, in Hayward, Calif.

Gkalisiou’s research is focused on linguistic and cognitive factors that contribute to stuttered speech, as well as exploring how disfluencies manifest in bilingual speakers. She’s had work in more than a dozen publications internationally, and received awards from the Texas Speech Language Hearing Association, the American Speech Language Hearing Association, and the Presidential Scholarship from the University of Texas Austin.

Since Annie Frisoli graduated from UNCG with her master’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management (Community Therapeutic Recreation) in 2001, she has focused on shaping the next generation of leaders. She has taught at UNCG, UNC Wilmington, and Ohio State University, before forming the company Creating Community in 2019. The organization focuses on leadership practices and teaches organizations to create thriving, inclusive environments. Frisoli holds certifications as a Festivals and Events Executive, Foundations of Design Thinking, and Train the Trainer for Experience Innovation. In addition, she wrote the book, “Leadership by Design,” which contains advice from leaders in the parks and recreation field.

Since her graduation from UNCG in 2015 (Genetic Counseling Program), Juliann Savatt served as a genetic counselor at the Genomic Medicine Institute, as well as the Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute, both with the Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania. She is currently an assistant professor, as well as co-director, of the MyCode Genomic Screening and Counseling Program with the Geisinger Health System.

In her professional career, Savatt supports research to develop a centralized genomics database, which enables public sharing of genetic and phenotypic information, which leads to important discoveries and treatment of rare genetic diseases. Savatt also works on Making Genomic Medicine Routine in a Rural Healthcare System, a project that identifies and advances approaches for integrating genomic information into existing health systems.

Savatt has co-authored nearly 30 peer-reviewed articles and presented more than 50 peer-reviewed presentations and posters at genetic conferences. In addition, Savatt has been a thesis/capstone committee member for several genetic counseling trainees, including two UNCG students, and mentored 14 undergrad researchers and genetic counselor assistants. She has also been a lecturer for multiple genetic counseling programs. Savatt has mentored many UNCG students through research projects.

Dr. Angel Dunbar earned her M.S. in 2013 and her Ph.D. in 2016, both in Human Development and Family Studies from UNCG. In addition, she earned a minor in Educational Research Methodology. In addition, she earned a minor in Educational Research Methodology. She is a developmental scientist who is currently an assistant professor in African American and Africana Studies at the University of Maryland.

Dunbar uses observational, survey, and physiological methods to study the impact of racism on Black children’s social-emotional development, mental health, and academic outcomes. She integrates social-emotional development, physiological processes, family socialization, and economic issues associated with poverty. Dunbar is a faculty affiliate with the Maryland Population Research Center and Brain and Behavior Institute. She’s had research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Purdue Research Foundation, and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Center for Child Health and Human Development.

Dr. Kimberly “Kym” Fasczewski earned her Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sport and Exercise Psychology (Kinesiology) in 2016. In addition, she’s earned a minor in Educational Research Methodology, a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies, and a Health Coaching Certificate from UNCG the same year.

Upon completing her education at UNCG, Fasczewski joined Appalachian State University as an assistant professor in the department of Public Health and Exercise Science. She is now an associate professor and also serves as director of graduate studies. In this position she’s led the development of the dual degree M.S. in Exercise Science/Applied Data Analytics, as well as a partnership with West Point U.S. Military Academy for a one-year M.S. in Exercise Science for officers to obtain a degree to teach at West Point.

At App State, Fasczewski is a reviewer on the Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars Program, a member of the subcommittee for post-tenure review, and faculty advisor for the wellness club CHAARG. She’s been recognized for her leadership, mentorship, service, and scholarship by being inducted into the Cratis D. Williams Academy of Outstanding Graduate Mentors at App State, as well as having received the Beaver College of Health Sciences Inclusive Excellence Liaison Award. She’s the author of numerous publications and has been the speaker for several events and webinars.

Dr. Joel G. Anderson graduated from the Department of Nutrition in 2009 with his Ph.D. He is currently a tenured professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. His research focuses on non-pharmacological interventions for symptom management and caregiver support in dementia care, which includes an exploration of the psychosocial impacts of dementia caregiving, to develop tailored intervention strategies to alleviate caregiver strain.

In addition to his research, Anderson previously served in numerous roles, including as president, of Healing Beyond Borders, the international education and certification organization for Healing Touch, which uses intentional touch to balance physical, emotional and mental well-being. Anderson is a member of the International Dementia Scholars Collaborative, the Gerontological Society of America, and the International Family Nursing Association.

During his professional career, Anderson has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles and is the co-author of two books. He’s received numerous awards, including the Open Education Resource Trailblazer Award from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville University Libraries and Student Government Association; the Outstanding Ph.D. Faculty Award from his University’s College of Nursing; an award from University of Tennessee-Knoxville for his contributions in promoting an inclusive campus environment; and the Innovative Contribution to Family Nursing Award from the International Family Nursing Association. Anderson is an elected fellow of the Gerontological Society of America.

Christopher White graduated with a master’s degree from the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies in 2019, working for the Conflict Resolution Center in Hildebran, N.C. In this position, he helped at-risk children ages 11-17 who were referred by school personnel, resource officers, or juvenile court counselors for restorative intervention.

In 2023, White began working for the Washington National Baseball organization in Bethesda, Md., coordinating a youth baseball academy. White uses his skills and knowledge of restorative justice and conflict resolution with youth in a restorative youth sports environment to make a real-world impact.

Dr. Adam Hege graduated with his Ph.D. in Community Health Education (Public Health Education) in 2015 and began working at Appalachian State University as a Public Health professor. This first-generation college student advanced to become the Public Health Undergraduate Program Director. He is currently the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education in the Beaver College of Health Sciences.

Hege has become a leading voice in underserved, rural regions of western North Carolina, addressing critical issues such as food insecurity, adverse childhood experiences, and access to care with his research.

In his current position at App State, he mentors future professionals while advancing interdisciplinary collaboration. He has written more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and has contributions to numerous public heath texts, helping to drive meaningful change in policy and practice. Hege received the Outstanding Faculty Award in 2024, was recently elected to the Watauga County Board of Education, and is a member of the Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative, which promotes health and resiliency in the community.