Dr. Sheeran’s commitment extends well beyond the confines of teaching and research. As the principal investigator of a $230,000 grant from the National Institutes of Health, she championed the cause of 12 minority students transitioning from Yakima Valley College to Central. This transformative initiative ensured that these aspiring scholars received tuition waivers and travel support, granting them equitable access to quality education. Dr. Sheeran’s unwavering dedication exemplifies the spirit of inclusion and opportunity. In summary, Dr. Sheeran has guided students toward success in academia and beyond. This Distinguished Teaching Award celebrates her holistic approach to student success—a blend of expertise, motivation, encouragement, and compassion. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes endeavors that contribute to the welfare of individuals, professional organizations, university groups, the community at large, or the university. Following is this year’s nominee. Tanjian Liang, Distinguished Faculty, Service, Department of Sport & Movement Studies. Dr. Liang is a Professor of Physical Education and School Health (PESH). After earning his PhD at the University of Northern Colorado in 2015, he arrived at CWU in 2017. Since then, Dr. Liang has continually engaged in broad and significant forms of service for the university, the community, and his field. His on-campus service has been extraordinary, ranging from departmental efforts as a West-E Content Specialist to college-level endeavors on numerous search committees to an impressive number and range of university level contributions. These include serving as coordinator of two education delegations to China, chairing the CWU edTPA Executive Committee , serving on the CWU West-B Test Policy Committee and service on numerous committees in the School of Education including the Program Curriculum Committee (co-chair), the Disposition and Professionalism Policy Committee and the Executive Committee . Professor Liang’s contribution has been especially strong in the areas of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); with service on the Equity Scorecard Steering Committee , the Antiracism Faculty and Staff Development Leadership Group , and the Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism Committee . In recognition of his contributions in these areas, in 2021 he was honored as a CWU University Fellow for Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity. In addition to his many on campus efforts in support of DEI, Professor Liang has also been working in the Ellensburg community, including service on the Ellensburg School District Capital/Bond Projects Committee, and coordinating activities on BIPOC and Equity and Belonging issues. Professor Liang’s professional service to his field is also impressively strong. He is a member of the Standards, Approval, and Review Committee of the WA Professional Education Standards Board, which determines accreditation standards for Washington schools, and serves as a reviewer for both the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and Professional Preparation Council of the Society of Health and Physical Educators. He is also extremely active as a journal and conference reviewer for the Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and the SHAPE America: Teaching and Learning Section . He also has been an editorial board member of the Journal of International Education and Practice and since 2022 has served as Associate Editor.
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