This honor celebrates their exceptional achievements and contributions to their respective academic fields, which directly benefit our VCU community, solidifying their roles as leaders in education and research.

The School of Education honorees are:

• Christine Bae, Ph.D., Department of Foundations of Education
• Michael Broda, Ph.D., Department of Foundations of Education
• Luciana de Oliveira, Ph.D., Department of Teaching and Learning
• Daniel Gutierrez, Ph.D., LPC, CSAC, Department of Counseling and Special Education
• Christine Spence, Ph.D., Department of Counseling and Special Education

The NIRA recognizes faculty who have achieved national or international acclaim in their academic disciplines during the most recent evaluation period. Recipients are recommended by their deans as top performers in their academic units. The award includes a financial incentive separate from the university’s standard performance review process.

“These colleagues represent the best of the best, personifying the uncommon excellence across VCU,” wrote Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, in a blog post. 

“This year’s NIRA scholars exemplify the transformative impact of scholarship,  research, and teaching. Their contributions elevate the reputation of the School of Education and VCU as a whole. We are immensely proud of the leadership and innovation they bring to their fields,” said Kathleen Rudasill, Ph.D., interim dean of the VCU School of Education.

The NIRA program is not just an award but a strategic initiative that aligns with VCU’sQuest 2028 plan, supporting a culture of belonging, career growth, and academic excellence. By honoring faculty who excel at the national or international level, the award underscores VCU’s commitment to fostering a world-class academic community.

The full list of the 2024 NIRA awardees across VCU can be found on the provost’s website.

About the School of Education

The VCU School of Education, with over 1,000 enrolled students and 18,074 living alums, ranks 16th among (public) schools of education in U.S. News & World Report’s (USNWR) 2024-2025 rankings. The school has $152 million in active cumulative research funding and $44.7 million in new funding in 2024, alongside a top 10 national USNWR ranking for research spending per faculty. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2024, students, faculty, staff, and alums are not just celebrating a milestone but also actively addressing challenges in education.  From tackling educator and counselor shortages to advocating for disability rights and contributing to leadership and workforce development, VCU is a critical resource for educational innovation.