An Evening of Excellence // Office of Global and National Fellowships

By Logan Jackson

Published on March 22, 2024

*The MU Excels event featured a handful of awards, including three for faculty mentors. Pictured is Nicole Campione-Barr (left), who earned the Robin G. Walker Award. Photo by Logan Jackson.*

University of Missouri students pursue a variety of nationally competitive grants, scholarships and fellowships. But they don’t do so alone. In addition to their faculty mentors, the MU Office of Global and National Fellowships aids Mizzou students throughout the application journey as they navigate the various requirements, all the while exploring their interests, building their skills, articulating their goals and developing lasting mentor relationships.

The advisors within the office make sure students celebrate that journey as well. That is the primary focus of the annual MU Excels event, which not only recognizes student applicants, but also shines a light on the important role mentors play throughout the process.

Alaina Dooley was honored with the inaugural PIVOT Award. PIVOT stands for Professional, Invested, Vulnerable, Optimistic Trailblazer. The award was created for students who support other students’ fellowship efforts, by offering 1-on-1 support and sharing their applicant experiences at events. Photo courtesy of Nina Wilson-Keenan.

This year’s event, which was held on Friday, March 15, honored three faculty members and one graduate student.

“MU Excels is all about honoring the process,” said Erik Potter, program manager for the MU Office of Global and National Fellowships. “Our students see so much personal growth when they engage with their applications, and no matter the award outcome, that’s something no one can take away.”

Ekincan Ufuktepe, an assistant teaching professor in the College of Engineering, and Carlos Wexler, a professor of physics and astronomy, were recognized with the Ann K. Covington Award. This prestigious award honors faculty and staff who continue Covington’s legacy of student mentorship. Covington is a retired Missouri Supreme Court judge, a retired member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators and a graduate of the MU School of Law. She also served on the Truman Scholarship campus nomination committee for many years, offering sound guidance and counsel to many student applicants.

The Robin G. Walker Award was given to Nicole Campione-Barr, a professor of psychological sciences. This specific award was established in 2022, in collaboration with the MU Graduate School, to recognize a faculty or staff member who has effectively supported an MU graduate or professional student’s efforts in applying for a globally or nationally competitive award. Walker worked at Mizzou for 20 years, serving as a curriculum writer, grant writer, and director of leadership and professional development in the MU Graduate School.

Campione-Barr also earned the Ann K. Covington Award in 2022.

“Our students can’t do what they do without mentors, and these faculty members are the epitome of what our students need; someone to encourage them, challenge them and guide them,” Potter said.

The final award of the afternoon was the inaugural PIVOT Award, given to Alaina Dooley, a graduate student. PIVOT stands for Professional, Invested, Vulnerable, Optimistic Trailblazer. The award was created for students who support other students’ fellowship efforts, by offering 1-on-1 support and sharing their applicant experiences at events.

“Alaina was the inspiration for this award,” Potter said. “She’s given so much of her own time to us over the years because she genuinely wants to help others. She’s a wonderful example of the kind of people you find in the fellowships community.”