NORFOLK, Va. — The Darden College of Education and Professional Studies at 51鱨վ proudly recognized five distinguished alumni with the 2024 Darden Fellows Alumni Awards. These awards underscore the remarkable professional achievements and contributions of its graduates across various fields, highlighting their dedication, innovation, and impact within their communities and beyond. These individuals have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also made profound contributions that set them apart in their professional landscapes. Chosen by faculty across our five departments, these alumni are the embodiment of dedication and excellence in their communities. It's a significant accolade, considering they emerge from a distinguished group of over 42,000 Darden College alumni over the past six decades.
The Darden Fellows awards stand as a beacon of our College's tradition, recognizing and honoring the resilience, commitment, and exceptional efforts our alumni have invested in reaching remarkable heights. Let us also acknowledge the vital role of support from their families, friends, educators, mentors, and the wider community in our journey.
Dean Tammi Dice shared, “I look forward to seeing more of your accomplishments, and I hope that you know that you are an inspiration to current and future students to follow their passions, make meaningful differences, and ultimately better the world.”
Department of Counseling & Human Services
Dr. Traci Richards
Ph.D. Counseling, 2017
Senior Manager, Chesapeake Regional Hospital
Dr. Traci Richards is an alumna of the 51鱨վ Counselor Education master’s and doctoral programs, and a member of the 51鱨վ Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society, an international and professional academic honor society for counseling students, counselor educators, and professional counselors. She holds LPC and NCC certifications.
Dr. Richards is a leader in mental health care who, over her professional lifetime, has dedicated herself to the needs of the Hampton Roads region through cutting-edge community-based behavioral health services.
She works as a senior manager for Chesapeake Regional Hospital, where she is responsible for developing and supervising mental health programs for vulnerable patient populations, and for designing and overseeing an Integrated Behavioral Health training site for the area’s future practitioners.
Traci also is the owner of Iliad Counseling Services LLC, which allows her to further address mental health and substance use in the region. She is a valued adjunct instructor and clinical supervisor in 51鱨վ’s training programs, serves on the Board of Directors of the Tidewater Emergency Medical Services Council, and is a specialist in trauma and crisis intervention for the Western Tidewater Medical Reserve Corps. She is also a past recipient of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare’s Beacon Award and Luminary Award.
Department of Educational Foundations & Leadership
Dr. Kyle Williams
Master of Science, Educational Leadership, 2009
Special Advisor to the AVP for Belonging, Engagement and Community / Dean of Students at Emory University
Dr. Kyle Williams is an alumnus of the 51鱨վ Higher Education master’s program and holds a Doctor of Education degree from Texas A&M University – Commerce. While attending 51鱨վ, he worked within the Office of International and Intercultural Programs at Virginia Wesleyan College in Virginia Beach, and Residence Life at 51鱨վ.
Dr. WIlliams currently holds the position of Special Advisor to the Associate Vice President for Belonging, Engagement, and Community, as well as Dean of Students at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. His professional journey has always been driven by a consistent theme - the profound impact of mattering on the support and success of historically marginalized and vulnerable students in higher education. They have extensive expertise in crisis management; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); student conduct; and various other areas. Prior to joining Emory University in spring 2022, he served as dean of students at Oglethorpe University, where he helped to expand the Campus Life Team as well as infusing equitable and inclusive practices into the newly formed Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Earlier, he served as Assistant Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at Washington University in St. Louis, Co-Director of the Minority Males Matter Initiative and Area Coordinator at Texas A&M University-Commerce, and Residence Hall Director for the Sophomore Year Experience at The College of New Jersey.
Human Movement Studies & Special Education
Gregg Mottinger
Bachelor of Science in Physcial Education, 2007
Assistant Principal, Norview High School
Gregg Mottinger began his career as a Health and Physical Education teacher in Norfolk Schools, teaching at both middle and high school levels and coaching soccer. Early in his career, he developed a curriculum for Lifetime Health and Wellness, provided professional development training in the “Response to Intervention Model”, directed the “Sharp Mentoring Program” to empower students, and implemented the “Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS)” program to shape a positive school culture with support from the community.
After completing his Master’s Degree from 51鱨վ in Educational Leadership, where he was named Outstanding Leadership Student of the Year, he was selected and completed the Aspiring Principals Academy. He transitioned to high school administration as assistant principal at Norview High School. He has served as a summer school principal, supervised various content areas, directed special education services, worked with “Project Graduation” targeting at-risk seniors, collaborated to maintain excellence in the Leadership Center for Education in Science and Education (LCSE), and integrated a robust Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports program.
He has been instrumental in helping Norview become fully accredited with the Virginia Department of Education, achieve Cognia Accreditation, and be named one of US Weekly Schools' best high schools in the country. Gregg has maintained his relationship with colleagues at 51鱨վ serving as a regular lecturer at the Summer Leadership Conference, serving on the conference planning committee, and mentoring multiple 51鱨վ student teachers. He is also active in the community, serving on the Norfolk Parks and Recreation Commission, directing the Beach FC Jr. Academy Soccer Club, and serving as a coaching instructor for US Youth Soccer.
Department of STEM Education & Professional Studies
Dr. Jennifer Scott Brown
Ph.D. with a Concentration in Instructional Design and Technology, 2017
Director, Augusta County Library
Before becoming Library Director, Brown was the Community Learning Manager for Suffolk Public Library and began her library career in Youth Services at Virginia Beach Public Library.
Brown weaves the disciplines of Library Science and Instructional Design by advocating for the systematic design and development of informal learning opportunities, staff training through coaching and apprenticeship, and utilizing a design model for identifying community needs by designing community and user-focused library services, programs, and collections.
Brown has been an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Library and Information Studies at 51鱨վ since 2018 and has served on the program's advisory board since 2019, assisting the program with their journey to being the only American Library Association accredited program in Virginia. Brown is currently serving as the Chair of the Virginia Library Leadership Academy (VALLA) aimed at developing library leadership across the state at all organizational levels, and is also the current president-elect for the Virginia Public Library Directors Association. She received her MSLIS from Syracuse University in 2010, her BA in History, and BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from 51鱨վ in 2008, and was the Donna G. Cote Librarian of the Year for 2019.
Department of Teaching & Learning
Thomas “Tommy“ Smigiel
Bachelor of Science in Education, Interdisciplinary Studies (4th – 8th Grade Science & Social Studies), 2000
City Councilman and Principal of Granby High School
Thomas “Tommy“ Smigiel is the principal of Granby High School. He previously served as the principal of the Academy for Discovery at Lakewood. He was recognized as Norfolk Teacher of the Year in 2007 and was notably selected as the 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year, and one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year. He taught Earth Science and Leadership at Norview High School and served as Assistant Principal at Lake Taylor High School. Mr. Smigiel was elected to City Council in 2010. He co-chairs the East Little Creek Road Task Force and the Mayor’s Ocean View Task Force. On October 8, 2019, Mr. Smigiel was elected as the 100th President of the Virginia Municipal League (VML) and served on the 2020-2021 Executive Board as the Immediate Past President. He has served as a member of the 51鱨վ Darden College of Education Advisory Committee and served on the YMCA’s Youth Advisory Committee. A life-long Norfolk resident, he attended St. Pius X Catholic School, graduated from Norview High School, and received a bachelor’s degree in Education from 51鱨վ, where he served as Student Body President. He later earned a master’s degree in administration from Cambridge College. Mr. Smigiel was honored for his work in education with the 2009 51鱨վ Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2015, he was recognized by Inside Business as a Top 40 Under 40 Leader in Hampton Roads. As an administrator, Mr. Smigiel has worked in all aspects of school leadership and management. He particularly enjoys working with teachers on increasing their pedagogical content knowledge, helping students realize their potential, building a strong and inclusive school culture, and increasing parental/community involvement at the school. Mr. Smigiel was an Assistant Principal for six years, serving at both Granby and Lake Taylor High Schools. In July 2014, he was selected as a planning principal to develop a new citywide lottery specialty program at the former Lafayette-Winona Middle School. In 2015, Academy for Discovery at Lakewood (known as ADL) opened its doors to over 600 third through eighth-graders from across the city. The school eventually grew to 750 students, specializing in Project-Based Learning and becoming a fully authorized International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program. In 2019, ADL was recognized by the Virginia Department of Education as an Exemplar School for Continuous Improvement and a Purple Star School Award.
