Faculty recognized with awards for excellence in teaching, advising, research and service

UW-River Falls faculty recognized with awards for excellence in teaching, advising, research and service 

Aug. 24, 2026 — Four University of Wisconsin-River Falls faculty members have been recognized for outstanding contributions in the areas of research, service, teaching and advising.  

Faculty Excellence Award recipients include: 

Distinguished Teaching Award  

Sierra Howry, a professor of agricultural economics, is the recipient of this year’s Distinguished Teaching Award. Students nominating Howry noted her ability to make meaningful connections. 

Sierra Howry headshot. A blonde woman with glasses wears a red dress shirt and black blazer.

“Dr. Howry has open and honest conversations in her class and cares about students’ well-being and learning outside of the content in class,” one student wrote. “She always opens her class positively and is excited to be with her students. She values her students above everything else and wants to make connections. Dr. Howry goes above and beyond.” 

"I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Distinguished Teaching Award," Howry said. "I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity each year to teach so many wonderful students. The students are what make my career fun and exciting. The energy and curiosity that students bring to the classroom inspires me to be the best professor that I can be. It is a privilege to be part of their educational journey, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity to do what I love every day." 

Michael Martin Adviser of the Year  

Sylvia Kehoe, chair of the Animal and Food Science Department, received the Michael Martin Adviser of the Year Award. Students nominating Kehoe noted her commitment to her students’ success and well-being. 

Sylvia Kehoe headshot. A woman with short brown hair wears a yellow top and long earrings.

“I truthfully can say Dr. Kehoe is the reason I made it through my degree successfully,” one student wrote. “She has been my number one support this entire time, without fail. She is the first person I share great news with but she has also always been the first person I know I can go to when I am really struggling, academically or mentally.” 

“Advising students is one of my absolute favorite things to do," Kehoe said. "I feel fortunate to be in a role where I can connect with students to support their goals and help them succeed. While I love this work, I could not do it without my incredible colleagues, who continually share their knowledge to help me. The relationships I build with students and the opportunity to make a difference in their lives are what makes this work so rewarding. Thank you so much for this amazing acknowledgment.” 

University Excellence in Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Award  

Shaheer Burney, associate professor of agricultural economics, received the University Excellence in Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Award. Faculty members nominating Burney said his research has contributed to his field and enriched the experiences of his students. 

Shaheer Burney Headshot. A man with dark hair and black facial hair wears a black suit jacket and polka dotted tie.

“Dr. Burney has guided nearly 50 undergraduate students in applied research, fostering critical thinking, data analysis and experiential learning,” wrote a nominating faculty member. “He has authored 14 peer-reviewed articles and five professional papers at UWRF, translating complex agricultural economics research into actionable insights for farmers and policymakers. He has secured more than $2 million in external funding while at UW-River Falls. Dr. Burney has exemplified excellence in research, mentorship and creative scholarly engagement.”  

"I am honored to be selected for this award,” Burney said. “This recognition reflects the contributions of so many incredibly talented collaborators who make my work possible, including the dedicated staff at the Survey Research Center, members of my research team across the country and the outstanding students at UW-River Falls. Ultimately, the most rewarding part of research is seeing its meaningful impact on our communities, farmers and the broader agriculture industry." 

University Excellence in Service Award 

Arriety Lowell, a senior lecturer of physics, received the University Excellence in Service Award. Faculty recommending Lowell noted her active role in helping to create and evaluate peer-led team learning programs. 

Arriety Lowell headshot. A woman with brunette hair in a bun wears a blue top and a decorative necklace.

“She has become one of the campus leaders for the scholarship of teaching and learning,” wrote one faculty nominator. “I am not alone in seeking out her help when I am thinking about making a change in my teaching approach.” 

“Many thanks to my colleagues for their recognition, nomination and continued support," Lowell said. "Access to quality education is a critical part to supporting our citizens, communities and country. UWRF is a special place for our students and I am happy to be a part of the work we do.”  

The awards were presented at UWRF’s Opening Meeting August 24. 

Photos: Sierra Howry, Sylvia Kehoe, Shaheer Burney, Arriety Lowell. UWRF photos.