Tulane SoPA honors 13 faculty members at 2026 Wave Weekend Reception
The Tulane School of Professional Advancement (SoPA) recognized 13 faculty members for excellence in teaching and service during its 2026 Wave Weekend Reception on Thursday, Nov. 5, at Audubon Clubhouse.
The honorees were recognized across three award categories, with student remarks shared throughout the ceremony to highlight the influence of SoPA faculty in and outside the classroom.
Ilianna Kwaske , who currently serves as associate dean for the master of science and professional education programs at the Tulane School of Science and Engineering, received the Emily H. Vokes Faculty Service Award. The award is the highest honor of the evening and recognizes sustained service to the school through teaching, advising, administration, advocacy and leadership.
Kwaske served nearly a decade at SoPA as senior professor of practice and associate dean for academic affairs as well as in the capacity of interim dean. She spoke during her acceptance speech about her long connection to New Orleans and her dream of one day making the city her home. She reflected on how SoPA gave her that opportunity and a place to belong, much like the sense of welcome the school offers its students.
“Tulane SoPA gave us something to come to, and it was only after [relocating] that I actually realized that’s what SoPA does for its students,” said Kwaske. “They can’t just pick up and leave their jobs or families. Tulane SoPA gives them a place to come to and continue their goals.”
The John Percy Dyer Awards went to Anthony Partinici for undergraduate teaching and Monica L'Esperance for graduate student teaching. Named for the founding dean of University College, the predecessor to SoPA, the awards recognize outstanding teaching and is the school's highest teaching honor.
Ten faculty members received Distinguished Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching: Andres Calderon, AJ Durand, Brian Horowitz, Robyn Ice, Michelle Jackson, Lauren Lukkarila, Will Monson, Javier Pineda, Cornell Sneed and Cooper Wakefield.
Student remarks shared during the ceremony highlighted the personal connections faculty build with their students. One student praised AJ Durand for creating a welcoming classroom and offering support during a difficult semester.
“AJ explained complex UX research steps with ease, patience and whimsy that made a challenging class easier to understand and all the more rewarding,” the student said.
The annual awards recognize the faculty members whose work shapes the SoPA experience. Their contributions reflect the school's ongoing focus on teaching, mentorship and service to its students.
The full list of honorees for the 2026 faculty award recipients includes:
Emily Vokes Award
IIlianna Kwaske, Associate Dean for Master of Science and Professional Education, Tulane School of Science and Engineering
John Percy Dyer Award
Anthony Particini, Information Technology
Monica L'Esperance, Education
Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching
AJ Durand, Media + Design
Brian Horowitz, Humanities and Social Sciences
Robyn Ice, Paralegal Studies
Michelle Jackson, Public Administration
Lauren Lukkarila, Education Program
Will Monson, Media + Design
Javier Pineda, Business and Leadership Studies
Cornell Sneed, Kinesiology
Cooper Wakefield, Emergency and Security Studies
Andres Caldero, Information Technology
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