This award honors employees for outstanding contributions to UNLV and its mission to be a top tier university. While everyone associated with UNLV works toward fulfilling our mission, the efforts of some individuals present an outstanding example of commitment. The Top Tier Award recognizes such dedicated members of our campus community. This award is administered by the Office of Faculty Affairs.
Additional information about the Top Tier plan, including detailed metrics and measures, can be found on the UNLV Top Tier website.
2025 Recipients
Pradip Bhowmik
Professor, Organic & Polymer Chemistry
College of Sciences
Dr. Bhowmik is a dedicated interdisciplinary collaborator who demonstrates a commitment to the UNLV Top Tier initiative through his extensive research, scholarship, and mentorship. His research has led to significant breakthroughs in industrial chemistry, renewable energy, and biomedical sciences. Many of his inventions have the potential to solve real-world problems and help diversify the economy of Nevada.
Thessa Hilgenkamp
Associate Professor, Physical Therapy
School of Integrated Health Sciences
Dr. Hilgenkamp has demonstrated commitment to the UNLV Top Tier initiative through her academic excellence and community engagement. In addition to her research on exercise and cardiovascular health in individuals with Down Syndrome, she serves in leadership roles for several advocacy organizations. During the pandemic, she started an online exercise program, which her Down Syndrome participants liked so much that they never went back to in-person classes.
Past Recipients
| Year | Recipient | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Renato (Rainier) Liboro | College of Liberal Arts |
| 2023 | Hyunhwa Lee | UNLV School of Nursing |
| 2022 | Keith Lawler | College of Sciences |
| 2022 | Rian Satterwhite | Office of Service Learning and Leadership |
| 2021 | Tricia McCrory | Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost |
| 2021 | Caitlin Saladino | Brookings Mountain West & The Lincy Institute |
| 2020 | Jennifer Heath | College of Liberal Arts |
| 2019 | Allen Gibbs | School of Life Sciences |
| 2019 | Stacey Tovino | William S. Boyd School of Law |
| 2018 | Kwang Kim | Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| 2018 | Jefferson Kinney | Department of Psychology |
| 2018 | Alisha Kerlin | Barrick Museum of Art |