Kim Fries Early Career Award
Professional Biography of Dr. Fries
Dr. Kim Fries (1956 – 2011) was one of those rare individuals who combined efficiency with humor and grace. She became involved in NEERO by contributing her research to the annual conference, first as a Boston College doctoral candidate in 2000 and over the next years as an assistant and associate professor of education at the University of New Hampshire. As a former teacher and then a professor, Kim possessed enormous expertise and experience with higher education and K-12 practice. This kind of perspective on theory-practice relationships was sought after by school practitioners, academic scholars, and government policymakers during her too-short career.
Kim began teaching at the elementary level but subsequently taught at all grade levels, K-12. She received both a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree from the University of South Florida, a C.A.S. from Harvard University, and a doctorate from Boston College. She joined the Department of Education faculty at the University of New Hampshire in 2002, where she taught courses in their Teacher Education Program and their Teacher Leadership Program.
As a NEERO Board member for over eight years, Kim remained a steady mentor for all of the organization with her calm, focused, and generous spirit. As president, she made a significant impact by strengthening the Board's infrastructure and the organization as a whole. This included: directing the first major review and revision of the bylaws and standing rules in decades, initiating the process that led to the re-incorporation of NEERO, and formalizing the awards committees and review process. Looking back to the past and forward to the future, she proposed expanding the board to include the positions of Historian and Webmaster. After completing her term as Past President, she continued to serve the Board in the new Parliamentarian position.
Service to NEERO
2003-2004: Membership Director
2004-2006: Vice-President
2006-2008: President
2008-2010: Past President
2010-2011: Parliamentarian
Award Criteria
Purpose and Eligibility
Established in 2012 in memory of Dr. Kim Fries, the purpose of this award is to recognize the work of NEERO members who have demonstrated distinction in the early part of their professional careers. The Board is seeking nominations of people who have been contributing members of NEERO for at least five (not necessarily consecutive) years and have demonstrated distinction within the first decade following receipt of their doctoral degree.
Nomination Procedure
Self-nominations and nominations by NEERO members are encouraged. To make a nomination for presentation at the annual conference, please submit the following information:
A letter describing the nominee’s qualifications for the Award, with emphasis given to the nominee’s contribution to NEERO and achievements in:
Research, publication, and/or other evidence of the impact of contributions to the field;
Service and teaching
Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Letter of support from their home institution(s)
Additional letters of support are encouraged.
Submit materials to neero.conference@gmail.com
Deadline
The deadline for the 2023 conference is February 1, 2023.
Award Recipients
2023-2012
2023
Amy Ryan
Boston College
2022
Katharine Covino
Fitchburg State University
2021
Jessica York
University of Hartford
2020
Emilie Reagan
University of New Hampshire
2019
Lisa D'Souza
Assumption College
2018
Carmen Veloria
Suffolk University
2017
Pat Paugh
University of Masssachussett, Boston
2016
Cinzia Pica-Smith
Assumption College
2015
Jenn Cook (Posthumous)
Rhode Island College
2014
Damian Bebell
Boston College
2014
Sarah Enterline
K12 Insight
2012
Kim Fries (Posthumous)
University of New Hampshire