Four faculty and staff members from the University of Tennessee at Martin were among the 14 recipients of the 2026 University of Tennessee System President’s Awards.
The University of Tennessee System announced the recipients of the awards at the UT System Board of Trustees meeting June 30 at the University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, recognizing outstanding faculty and staff members from throughout the system.
The recipients were recognized and presented the awards at a luncheon ceremony Aug. 13 in Nashville that featured UT System President Randy Boyd, university chancellors and UT System vice presidents.
This top honor recognizes employees whose work exemplifies the Be One UT values through outstanding service, leadership and commitment to the university’s mission.
“These awards honor the exceptional talent, service and leadership of faculty and staff systemwide,” UT System President Randy Boyd said. “Through their work, each honoree strengthens communities and creates lasting impact in Tennessee and beyond. They have earned this distinction and are helping define the greatest decade in UT history.”
The awards were presented in seven categories, with one faculty member and one staff member in each category.
Receiving UT President’s Awards from UT Martin were:
• Ashley Bynum, senior associate director for internal operations in intercollegiate athletics, in the Nimble and Innovative category (staff member).
• Alicia Maya Donaldson, professor of social work and director of the Bachelor of Science in Social Work program, in the Embrace Differences category (faculty member).
• Dr. Steve Elliott, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, in the Bold and Impactful category (faculty member).
• Dr. Adnan Rasool, associate professor of political science and director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, in the United and Connected category (faculty member).
“These awards honor the exceptional talent, service and leadership of faculty and staff systemwide. Through their work, each honoree strengthens communities and creates lasting impact in Tennessee and beyond. They have earned this distinction and are helping define the greatest decade in UT history.”
UT System President Randy Boyd
Established in 2016, the President’s Awards represent the highest honor a UT employee can receive. Building on the many recognition programs at each campus and institute, this program celebrates exceptional faculty and staff from across the state. The awards spotlight success, elevate achievements and inspire a culture of excellence throughout the UT System. Each winner receives a commemorative plaque and a $3,000 monetary award.
Other recipients of 2026 President’s Awards were:
• Dr. Tina Dudney, associate professor and designated institutional official of graduate medical education, UT Health Sciences, Nimble and Innovative category (faculty member).
• Annie Freeland Fishel, executive director of policy and advocacy, Government Relations, Advocacy and Economic Development, UT System, Transparent and Trusted category (staff member).
• Dr. John Haas, associate professor, School of Communications Studies, UT Knoxville, Transparent and Trusted category (faculty member).
• Edwin Jeffres, assistant vice chancellor for facilities administration, UT Health Sciences, Optimistic and Visionary category (staff member).
• Dr. Erkan Kaplanogiu, professor and department head of the Department of Engineering Management and Technology, UT Chattanooga, Optimistic and Visionary category (faculty member).
• Kelly Mihalik, special projects investigator and public safety manager for audit and compliance, UT System, Excel in All We Do category (staff member).
• David Moore, police management consultant, UT Institute for Public Service, Bold and Impactful category, (staff member).
• Jennifer Sicking, director of publications, Division of Communications and Marketing, UT System, United and Connected category (staff member).
• Chris Stokes, assistant director for the Center for Student Leadership, Engagement and Community category, UT Chattanooga (staff member).
• Dr. Toni Wang, institute professor of food science, UT Knoxville, UT Institute of Agriculture, Excel in All We Do category (faculty member).
Learn more about the UT President’s Awards at tennessee.edu/about/leadership/president/awards.
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1-800-829-UTM1 (-8861).
PHOTO: UT Martin recipients of the 2026 UT System President’s Awards, shown at the Aug. 13 presentation ceremony in Nashville, are (l-r) Ashley Bynum, Dr. Steve Elliott, Dr. Adnan Rasool and Alicia Maya Donaldson, accompanied by Chancellor Yancy Freeman Sr.
