The recipients of the inaugural WVU College of Creative Arts and Media faculty awards exemplify excellence in research, teaching and service. Awardees include Katie Jones, Joe Jones, Angela Uriyo, Joshua Swiger and Ross Justice.
Katie Jones, associate professor and program coordinator for the Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) program, received the Wilkinson CCAM Course Enhancement Award. Jones plans to use the $3,500 reward to restructure the FDM 220 course, titled “Fashion, the Body, and Culture: As it Stands,” shifting it to a hybrid online lecture/in-person discussion model and exploring the possibility of making it the first officially “ungraded” core course in FDM. The hybrid format will allow for smaller, more intimate discussion sections, and the ungraded approach allows students to verbalize their achievements and growth to the instructor and to critically determine whether they are meeting or exceeding the course expectations.
“I have been teaching some version of FDM 220 since my first teaching appointment in 2008 and at every institution since – it remains my absolute favorite to teach,” Jones said. “I see [this course] as a vital space in which students can practice critical thinking, creative writing and most importantly, empathy.”
Joseph Jones, assistant professor of Journalism, was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Research and Creative Activity Award. Jones’s research engages the intersection of race, gender, class and environmental consciousness. In 2024, he was part of a team awarded a $150,000 grant for the project "AI as a Tool, the Humanities as a Lens." He also solo-authored four academic articles, delivered multiple presentations at national conferences and recently published an article for The Conversation which generated more than 13,759 reads from 17 publishers around the globe.
“Dr. Jones' work sits prominently at a unique moment for our field and our country. His research focuses on work from the intersecting tensions of advances in and the ethics of AI and digital privacy to work that interrogates and challenges the practices of journalism within democracy to the ethics of care in the Black press,” said Journalism Professor Dana Coester, who nominated Jones for the award. “His work affirms trust, empathy and participatory democracy across diverse publics, and his research is truly cutting edge in each instance.”
Angela Uriyo, assistant professor of Fashion Design and Merchandising, received the Outstanding Faculty Teaching Award. Uriyo teaches courses in design concepts of dress, flat pattern design, apparel production and fit, figure and fabric drawing and fashion merchandising. She creates an engaging, inclusive environment that emphasizes skill development, collaboration and critical thinking, and she enriches learning by integrating guest speakers, workshops, and industry expertise. Her students have received local, national and international recognition, including participation in the 2024 WVU Fashion Show and selection for the International Textile and Apparel Association’s juried design exhibit.
“Dr. Uriyo’s influence extends beyond the classroom, shaping confident, skilled designers and advancing fashion education,” said Colleen Moretz, an associate professor in the FDM program. “Her ability to cultivate both technical expertise and critical thinking has earned her immense respect from students and colleagues alike.”
Joshua Swiger, teaching assistant professor in the Music Business and Industry program, won the Outstanding Faculty Service Award. In addition to his regular teaching duties, Swiger is the advisor for Mon Hills Music Group, a professional component of the WVU School of Music that houses the student-run record label. He serves as a member of the School of Music Curriculum Committee and the School’s Recruitment Committee. He often volunteers to support recruitment activities, including organizing student tours and participating in on-campus visits with prospective students. Swiger maintains relationships with several local groups, including the Ruby Summer Concert Series and the Core Arboretum Spring Flower Fest, which allow him to connect students to internship and performance opportunities.
“Professor Swiger’s service to the school, college and university has been outstanding,” said Percussion Professor George Willis, who nominated Swiger for the award.
Ross Justice, an instructor in the Music Business and Industry program, received the Adjunct Faculty Award of Excellence. Justice worked as a graduate teaching assistant while earning his master’s degree in Music Business and Industry from WVU and began teaching as an adjunct faculty member in the program upon graduation. Justice brings his experience as a production manager and monitor engineer for Charles Wesley Godwin into the classroom. Students praise his ability to bridge classroom learning with industry realities and share an appreciation for his mentorship, passion and ongoing support both academically and personally. His work with Mon Hills Music Group and dedication to student success have made a lasting impact on the Music Industry program and its students.
“The contributions of these outstanding faculty members demonstrate the vibrant student-centered community we cultivate at the College of Creative Arts and Media,” said Dean Keith Jackson. “We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the talent, passion and innovation they bring to our college every day.”
For more information about the College of Creative Arts and Media and its programs, visit https://creativeartsandmedia.wvu.edu.