From left: Jessica Debats Garrison, Jenny Rinehart, Brandon Golob, Carolina Valdivia, Jon Gould, Charis Kubrin, Elizabeth Cauffman and Jason Schiffman
Inaugural awards ceremony honors seven extraordinary faculty whose research, teaching, service and impact transform lives and advance justice
By Matt Coker
A new tradition was launched on Oct. 26, when Dean Jon Gould hosted a faculty awards ceremony in a packed room of colleagues, students, staff, and friends, declaring, “This school is full of stars.”
The Dean’s words echoed a nominator’s sentiment, setting the tone for an evening celebrating faculty who don’t just teach or publish—they change minds, laws, and lives. What follows is a breakdown of the seven inaugural honorees.
Faculty Award for Research: Charis Kubrin
The evening began with the Faculty Award for Research, presented to Chancellor’s Professor Charis Kubrin. Dean Gould noted that the internationally renowned criminologist’s research “has taken on some of the most consequential and contested questions of our time.”
Kubrin has published six books, 59 peer-reviewed articles, and amassed more than 12,000 citations. Her myth-busting research on immigration and crime—demonstrating that immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than native-born Americans—has shaped national debates and policy. Kubrin’s legal advocacy, including a 100-page guide for attorneys facing prosecution involving rap lyrics, highlights her commitment to fairness and justice.
A nominator summed up Kubrin’s impact: “The fact that Dr. Kubrin is the foremost scholar nationally on multiple topics is quite telling in terms of her accomplishments and stature.” Kubrin herself once said she values UCI’s mission: “Science should serve society.” Dean Gould affirmed, “You have lived that mission well.”
Faculty Award for Research: Jason Schiffman
Because of the school’s overabundance of “really talented researchers,” Gould explained a second Faculty Award for Research was warranted, and it went to Professor Jason Schiffman, who does double duty as the school’s associate dean for research & faculty welfare and the Department of Psychology’s director of clinical training.
Schiffman’s work focuses on identifying young people at risk for psychosis. In just five years at UCI, he has published more than 100 journal articles, brought in nearly $20 million in funding, and become “a central architect” of multi-site science nationally. Schiffman’s role as lead diagnostician in major studies is foundational, and he pushes his field to ask tough questions about health disparities. As the scholar has himself noted, “Social ecology is rooted in the belief that knowledge should translate into tangible benefits for others.”
“Your research does exactly that—lifting up young people who might otherwise fall through the cracks,” Gould said in praising Schiffman.
Early-Career Faculty Award for Research: Carolina Valdivia
Associate Professor Carolina Valdivia received the Early-Career Faculty Award for Research. Her book, Sanctuary Making: Immigrant Families Reshaping Geographies of Deportability, based on 103 interviews, introduces concepts already reshaping immigration scholarship. The criminology, law & society scholar’s high-risk fieldwork and her blog, “My Undocumented Life,” have provided practical resources to vulnerable communities.
“It is one thing to recognize a distinguished career,” Gould said. “It is something else entirely to stand before someone near the beginning of their journey and say, ‘What you have done already is extraordinary, and we cannot wait to see what comes next.”
Indeed, Valdivia’s nominator called her “an academic star.” The scholar described her award as a collective effort, recognizing her colleagues, students, and community supporters. Dean Gould noted, “That generosity of spirit is itself a mark of the kind of scholar and person you are.”
Faculty Award for Teaching: Brandon Golob
Associate Professor of teaching in criminology, law & society Brandon Golob was honored for his transformative classroom instruction. Voted the School of Social Ecology’s Professor of the Year four years running, Golob’s influence extends beyond his lecture halls. He has launched programs for underrepresented STEM students, mentored hundreds, and pioneered creative coursework—students produce podcasts, edit Wikipedia entries, and develop “know your rights” materials.
“This award matters because my colleagues intimately understand the critical mission of what happens in the classroom,” said Golob, prompting Gould to respond, “We are so grateful you are here.”
Early-Career Faculty Award for Teaching: Jessica Debats Garrison
Jessica Debats Garrison, associate professor of teaching in urban planning & public policy, received the Early-Career Faculty Award for Teaching. She achieved remarkable student effectiveness scores across 14 courses, redesigned UCI’s GIS specialization, and embedded basic needs resources into her syllabi. Her partnerships have turned student projects into real-world impact, with students winning awards and internships.
Her nominator described her scores as “the highest sustained average I can recall in our department.” Garrison said, “My students give me hope for a more sustainable and equitable future.” Gould assured her, “They say the same thing about you.”
Faculty Award for Service: Jenny Rinehart
Associate Professor of Teaching Jenny Rinehart was recognized for her extraordinary service. Her roles have included vice chair and chair of Social Ecology, director of the undergraduate major and core Ph.D. programs, and more.
Her nominator wrote, “Many people when they leave service roles are happy to sit out. But Dr. Rinehart is regularly looking for the next way she can contribute.” Rinehart sees service as “an extension of being in the classroom—another way of showing up.”
“We see you showing up, every single time,” Gould remarked. “And we are so grateful.”
School of Social Ecology Better World Award: Elizabeth Cauffman
Distinguished Professor Elizabeth Cauffman received the biggest honor of the evening: The Better World Award, which recognizes work that makes real-world impact. Cauffman’s research informed landmark Supreme Court decisions and led to the creation of the Young Adult Court, giving young people with a first felony conviction a second chance. One nominator wrote, “These young men’s lives were literally transformed.”
“This recognition belongs to the many students, colleagues, and community partners who helped turn ideas and evidence into action,” Cauffman said, prompting Gould to conclude, “Tonight, we want to make sure the world also knows that it belongs to you.”
The dean closed the ceremony with a reflection.
“When these seven honorees accepted this recognition, they turned around and pointed to someone else—their students, their colleagues, their community partners. That tells you everything you need to know about the character of the people in this school.”
Related
Event photos are available on Flickr