Beckley, W.Va. (WVDN) – Three West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech) faculty members have won teaching, scholarship and research, and service awards, as nominated and voted on by their peers. This year’s winners are Mark Vecellio, Nathan Galinsky, and Mindy Harris.
The annual faculty awards honor outstanding faculty members who have demonstrated significantly to their respective areas and the student body at WVU Tech.
The Teaching Award recipient is Mark Vecellio, MPA, MFS, Associate Professor of Forensic Investigation. This award recognizes exceptional innovation in teaching methods. Vecellio has been teaching since 2020 and in higher education for 13 years. Prior to entering higher education, he served 23 years in the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 and Special Agent. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from City University of Seattle and a master’s degree in forensic science from George Washington University. Vecellio received the Club Advisor of the Year award in 2025 and has authored two editions of the Pocket Guide to Crime Scene Photography. He is also a published scholar, publishing empirical research on gunshot residue visualization and forensic imaging, and actively co-authors and presents research with students at national forensics conferences.
“Being recognized with this award is humbling. I am grateful for those students who have nominated me and for the committee in selecting me,” says Vecellio. “What I love most about teaching and research is seeing students transition from theoretical learning to true applied competency, whether that’s mastering a complex investigative technique in our mock crime scenes, or co-presenting original research at a national conference. I find it deeply satisfying to observe, and be part of, students gaining confidence and maturity as they progress through our program. Tech provides an environment where we can give students hands-on, practical experience and direct mentorship that truly prepares them for real-world careers.”
The Scholarship Award recognizes distinction in research, scholarship, or creative activity. This year’s recipient is Nathan Galinsky, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering. Galinsky received his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at WVU Tech in 2011 and went on to earn his master’s and doctoral degree in chemical engineering at North Carolina State University in 2013 and 2016, respectively. He began his career at WVU Tech in 2019. Since then, he’s won several awards, including the WVU Tech Faculty Service Award in 2024, WVU Impact Award in 2025, the WVU Faculty Research Award in 2026, and the WVU Nicholas Evans Faculty Advising Meritorious Award in 2026. Galinsky has also secured significant grant funding to provide summer STEM outreach and undergraduate research opportunities.
“I am honored to receive the WVU Tech Faculty Research Award. As a faculty member in engineering, it is vital to find ways to engage with students of all ages and diverse backgrounds and bring the impact of STEM to them, and ultimately make them believe that they have opportunities and potential to pursue their dreams in these fields,” says Galinsky. “From working in elementary schools about water education, to providing students research experiences to further develop their skill sets before they begin their careers, is a huge passion, and being part of efforts in southern West Virginia to provide those opportunities is something I am very passionate about.”
The Service Award recognizes a faculty member who has served the university over committee work, departmental service, and service to one’s discipline or profession. This year’s recipient is Mindy Harris, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor in Nursing on the WVU School of Nursing – Beckley campus.
Harris has worked at WVU Tech for 29 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Troy University and her master’s degree in nursing administration from Marshall University. Her academic career has emphasized adult health, community health, and critical care nursing. She serves on multiple committees and is the academic counselor for the Bachelor of Science students, as well as a retention specialist. She is co-advisor for the WVU Tech Student Nurses Association and provides community service opportunities to students. Her dog, Sully, is a certified therapy dog for the WVU School of Nursing and brings him to campus frequently. In addition to her work at WVU Tech, she remains active in her clinical practice as an RN in the Emergency Department at CAMC – Plateau Medical Center. She received the WVU School of Nursing Spirit of Nursing Award in 2018.
“Winning this award is a tremendous honor and a meaningful recognition of my commitment to service,” says Harris. “I believe service is an essential component of higher education, strengthening the campus community, supporting student success, and fostering meaningful connections with the broader community. As a nursing educator, I believe it is particularly important to model service for our nursing students. Nursing is a profession grounded in compassion, advocacy, and a commitment to others, and these values are best taught through instruction and example. My hope is that by demonstrating a commitment to service, I will inspire future nurses to become not only skilled clinicians, but also compassionate leaders and engaged members of their communities.”
“Great universities like WVU Tech are built by faculty who inspire students in the classroom, create and share knowledge, and give their expertise in service to others,” says Tamara Floyd Smith, Ph.D., Vice President for Academic Affairs at WVU Tech. “Our teaching, scholarship, and service award recipients demonstrate those qualities in exceptional ways. I am delighted to celebrate their accomplishments and to thank them for the lasting impact they have on our students, colleagues, university, and community.”
To learn more about WVU Tech’s faculty or programs of study, visit admissions.wvutech.edu.
