DALLAS – Conference USA announced its CUSA Faculty Achievement Award winners, highlighting outstanding faculty members and their dedication to teaching, commitment to their respective fields of study through research and devotion to making a difference through service in their campus communities. The awards program was established by the league's presidents and chancellors to recognize exceptional contributions in teaching, research and service. Each of the 10 recipients will automatically become the institutional nominee for the CUSA Professor of the Year, which will be voted on by the institution's provosts.
"Today, we celebrate these outstanding faculty members whose extraordinary contributions inspire excellence in the classroom, advance the boundaries of knowledge through groundbreaking research, and foster meaningful change through dedicated service," said
Dr. Alisa White, the President of Sam Houston State University and the Chair of the CUSA Board of Directors. "The Faculty Achievement Awards are a recognition of their profound impact on higher education and in the success of their respective institutions."
The 2025 award recipients represent distinct fields of study including biology, communication, data science, ecology and epidemiology. They have published prominent academic articles, received numerous scholarly awards and presented as subject matter experts throughout the country.
2025 CUSA Faculty Achievement Award Honoree
Dr. May H. Gao, Professor of Communication at Kennesaw State University, has made significant contributions through her research in intercultural business communication and Asian studies. As the founder and chair of the Symposium on ASIA-USA Partnership Opportunities (SAUPO), the largest Asia business conference in the Southeastern United States, she has facilitated meaningful dialogues between academia, business leaders, and policymakers. Dr. Gao has worked relentlessly to secure over $2 million in funding to support SAUPO conferences, Asian Studies, and various research and creative activities. Under her leadership, SAUPO has expanded into an international platform, attracting renowned speakers and fostering economic collaboration. Dr. Gao has published extensively on intercultural communication and globalization, including a single-authored book "
Win Business with Relationships: Communication Strategies Informed by Entrepreneurs & Taoism." She actively mentors students interested in global careers, helping them navigate cultural dynamics in the professional world.
