By Joy Vann
“Accolades” features the achievements of 91Ƭ’s faculty and staff, highlighting the honors and awards they have received and displaying their dedication, expertise and contributions in their respective fields. You can find the on the University Communications web page.
Milton Brown, MD, Ph.D., senior associate vice president for research, has been elected to membership in the Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine (VASEM), a nonprofit, nonpartisan network of leaders in their field who provide rigorous analytical, technical and scientific support to inform policy on issues of critical importance to the state. He is the second individual honored by the academy from Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at 91Ƭ. Dr. Brown’s career path blends synthetic chemistry, medicine, oncology, neuroscience and pharmacology. His election comes after a career of national and international significance, defined by groundbreaking innovations in experimental therapeutics and the development of theranostic agents that integrate treatment and diagnostics within a single compound.
Julaine Clunis, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of STEM Education and Professional Studies in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, published a paper entitled “The Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Ontologies: Transformations in Knowledge Representation and Application.” It explores the reciprocal relationship between AI and ontologies and was published by the North American Symposium on Knowledge Organization. She holds a doctorate in Communication and Information with a focus on Knowledge Organization, a Master of Library and Information Science, and a Master of Science in Health Informatics from Kent State University.
Hong Kim Duong, Ph.D., an associate professor of accounting in the School of Accountancy in the Strome College of Business, was elected Vice President Academic – President Elect (2025–2026) of the International Accounting Section of the American Accounting Association. She will serve as president of the section in 2026–2027, a leadership position that underscores her international reputation and scholarly impact. The International Accounting Section serves as a global forum for advancing thought leadership, education and research in international accounting, bringing together scholars, practitioners and standard setters from around the world. A certified management accountant, she teaches financial accounting, financial statement analysis and international and advanced accounting. Her research focuses on corporate disclosure and governance. Her work has been published in the Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, and Journal of International Accounting Research.
Eileen Douglas, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Counseling & Art Therapy program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences EVMS School of Health Professions at 91Ƭ, was elected to the American Counseling Association Foundation's (ACAF) Board of Trustees and will serve as treasurer-elect for the 2025-2026 term, followed by treasurer for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 terms. She teaches cultural humility, counseling skills, family counseling and psychotherapy, and ethics and professionalism courses, while mentoring capstone projects of excellence. She also provides individual and group supervision to students completing practicum and internship. She holds a clinical appointment within the Department of Psychiatry, providing outpatient counseling services with EVMS Medial Group.
Dennis E. Gregory, Ed.D., an associate professor of higher education in the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, was designated by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Foundation Board of Directors as a 2026 Pillar of the Profession. The awards recognize distinguished individuals who have served as leaders, teachers and scholars in student affairs and higher education. The recipients have created a lasting impact on the institutions where they have worked, leaving a legacy of service recognized by a cross-section of institutional stakeholders and have demonstrated sustained, lifetime professional distinction in the field of student affairs and/or higher education. Born, raised and educated in Virginia, Dr. Gregory worked for 20 years in student affairs before becoming a faculty member. This is his 26th year at 91Ƭ.
Gulsah Kemer, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Counseling & Human Services, received the Outstanding Tenured Faculty Award from the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision for exemplary work in all areas of academic responsibilities including research, service and teaching. She holds a doctorate in counseling and counselor education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Janice Hawkins, Ph.D., vice provost for academic affairs, is a finalist for the American Climate Leadership Awards. A nurse educator for more than 30 years, she has held multiple leadership roles within the Macon & Joan Brock Ellmer School of Nursing at 91Ƭ. She is a board-certified Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Certified Global Nurse Consultant. She is an Institute for Coastal Adaptation & Resilience affiliate faculty member and has been recognized by ecoAmerica for her work preparing nurses with “replicable strategies, knowledge, skills and resources to mitigate climate change as it relates to population health.” As a nursing instructor, she co-created a climate and health educational module that has inspired many students to become climate-for-health ambassadors. Dr. Hawkins has traveled extensively as a retired U.S. Army nurse, deepening her understanding of the social determinants of health and the global need for equitable access to life-saving vaccines.
Bruce McDonald III, Ph.D., a professor of public budgeting and finance and director of the School of Public Service in the Strome College of Business, is a recipient of the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management’s Best Book Award for “Understanding Municipal Fiscal Health: A Model for Local Governments in the USA.” He cowrote the book with fellow award recipients Drs. Craig Maher, Sungho Park and Steven Deller. Dr. McDonald also directs the Municipal Research Lab, serves as the editor-in-chief of Public Administration, co-editor-in-chief of Public Finance Journal, and as the general editor for the Routledge Public Affairs Education Book Series and the Routledge Public Budgeting and Finance Book Series. He teaches master's and doctoral-level courses in public budgeting, financial management and research design. As a researcher on public and nonprofit management, he investigates issues related to government performance and how to improve government efficiency.