Casey Davenport and Colleen Hammelman win university awards
On Thursday, May 1, at the Spring Faculty Awards ceremony in the Popp Martin Student Union Drs. Davenport and Hammelman were honored for their work on campus in teaching and civic engagement. During this event, Casey Davenport was named the recipient of the Bonnie E. Cone Early-Career Professorship in Teaching, and Colleen Hammelman received the Bonnie E. Cone Professorship for Civic Engagement.
Below are the details of each award winner and a full link to the story can be found at this link.
Bonnie E. Cone Early-Career Professorship in Teaching
Casey Davenport, associate professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences in the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences, is the 2025 recipient of the Bonnie E. Cone Early-Career Professorship in Teaching. This honor recognizes exceptional teaching by a faculty member early in their career.
Since joining the faculty in 2014, Davenport has created and taught a range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including Meteorology First-Year Seminar, Dynamic Meteorology and Teaching and Learning in the Geosciences. Her courses are marked by engaging, active-learning techniques such as collaborative assessments, flipped classrooms and reflections that encourage students to critically assess their learning experiences.
“Dr. Davenport has distinguished herself in the department and beyond as an excellent instructor and student mentor,” said Sara A. Gagné, associate professor and chair of earth, environmental and geographical sciences. “These achievements are a direct result of Dr. Davenport’s innovative teaching techniques, curriculum contributions, assessment of student learning and effective advising and mentoring.”
Bonnie E. Cone Professorship for Civic Engagement
Colleen Hammelman, associate professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Geographical Sciences, was recognized for her outstanding leadership in community-engaged research, advocacy and teaching with the awarding of the Bonnie E. Cone Professorship for Civic Engagement.
Since joining UNC Charlotte in 2017, Hammelman has made significant contributions to the University’s community-engagement mission, particularly through her leadership of the Charlotte Action Research Project.
Under her direction, CHARP has expanded its impact, developing key partnerships with over 15 community organizations and fostering collaborative research that addresses local needs, particularly in the areas of food systems and urban agriculture. Her community-engaged scholarship focuses on the intersection of food security and public health in Charlotte, with projects such as the State of the Plate food system assessment and the Community Innovation Incubator, which aims to improve food access in West Charlotte.
“Dr. Hammelman exemplifies the University’s commitment to civic engagement and community-driven, community-responsive research,” said Katherine Idziorek, assistant professor in geography and community planning.
Congratulations to Casey and Colleen!