Three University of Michigan School of Information faculty members have received the school’s 2024-25 awards for excellence in community-engaged research, outstanding service and instruction. 

“UMSI faculty are exceptional teachers who are dedicated in their service and do a remarkable amount of community-engaged work,” says Andrea Forte, dean of UMSI. “Recipients of these awards are truly being singled out for excellence among champions!”

UMSI professor Sarita Schoenebeck was honored with this year’s Excellence in Instruction Award. Schoenebeck was recognized for her “contributions to the school’s teaching mission by launching and continuously improving the SI302 Introduction to Information Ethics course and ensuring its lasting positive impact on the undergraduate curriculum.” 

UMSI associate professor Florian Schaub received the Michael D. Cohen Outstanding Service Award. This award honors the memory of Professor Emeritus Michael D. Cohen and recognizes commitment to the UMSI community and mission. 

Schaub earned the award for his “contributions to the university community through participation in key university-wide advisory committees, diversity recruitment, and mentorship, and for demonstrating a commitment to the success of his scholarly community both locally and globally.”

UMSI associate professor Joyojeet Pal earned the Joan Durrance Community Engagement Award. The award recognizes excellence in building partnerships with communities to develop information-related projects that can lead to social change. It is named for Professor Emerita Joan Durrance, who was devoted to conducting research that helped underserved populations. 

Pal was honored for his contributions to public discourse on political partisanship and media influence through community engagement, research and leadership in organizing an international conference. 

See the full list of previous honorees:

UMSI Excellence in Instruction Award

Michael D. Cohen Outstanding Service Award

Joan Durrance Community Engagement Award