[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/01\/BOG-Finalists.png” alt=”Meet the 2026 UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award: Brian Byrd, Kim Hall, and Yang Zhang” title_text=”BOG Finalists” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Established in 1994, the UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award highlights the significance of teaching and aims to encourage,\u00a0identify, recognize, reward, and support outstanding teaching within the university. Each year, a faculty member from each constituent institution is honored with this prestigious award.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the winner of the UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award at WCU will be announced at the Faculty and Staff Excellence Award Ceremony this spring, we want to highlight the accomplishments of all three of our 2026 award finalists: Brian Byrd, Kim Hall, and Yang Zhang (in alphabetical order). <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n All three finalists\u00a0<\/span><\/span>went<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>through an extensive review process<\/span>, including\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a teaching observation and an interview with the award committee,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>assembling\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their\u00a0<\/span><\/span>portfolio consisting of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their teaching philosophy, teaching artifacts, as well as letters of support from<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>colleagues and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>former students<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>In the spotlights that follow, <\/span>we<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>highlight\u00a0<\/span><\/span>words of endorsement from their final submission packages<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>including\u00a0<\/span><\/span>excerpts from their teaching philosophies as well as excerpts from\u00a0<\/span><\/span>former\u00a0<\/span><\/span>students’<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>letters to the award committee\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that speak for themselves<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Please congratulate these three colleagues on the tremendous achievement of having been named a finalist!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Brian Byrd\u00a0(PhD,\u00a0MSPH)\u00a0is a Professor in the Environmental Health Sciences program, College of\u00a0Health\u00a0and Human Sciences, and has been\u00a0at WCU\u00a0<\/span>since\u00a02008<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Byrd teaches courses such as Epidemiologic Methods, Vector-borne Disease Control, First Year Seminar, and Global Health. His research focuses on domestic mosquito\u2010borne diseases, specifically La Crosse encephalitis, the ecology of invasive mosquitoes and ticks, and the molecular identification of arthropod vectors. He also maintains an active undergraduate research program where his students have been nationally recognized.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/01\/Byrd_Brian_Image-683×1024.jpeg” alt=”Photo of Brian Byrd, standing outside and smiling.” title_text=”Byrd_Brian_Image” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Describing his own educational journey in a personal narrative, Dr. Byrd\u00a0summarizes: \u201cMy\u00a0<\/span>overriding goal (i.e., \u201cmy calling\u201d) is to\u00a0provide\u00a0students\u00a0opportunities to help them succeed. For some, it may just be getting them successfully through a First Year Seminar course while they are struggling during their first semester at college. For others, it may\u00a0be sparking\u00a0an interest in public health or a public service career. For\u00a0some\u00a0it may be making room for them to apply what they are learning in a way that is meaningful to them. For\u00a0many\u00a0it means sharing my professional networks or resources. For some it means pointing them in a direction and getting out of their way (but being available if there are hiccups). For others, it goes far deeper. For these students, it is best to hear (read) their words.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One of his former students, Marissa Taylor, MPH, now works for the CDC and shares\u00a0the following about\u00a0Dr.\u00a0Byrd:\u00a0\u201c<\/span>He understands how to motivate students, which I think is due to his personal nature as a lifelong learner. Though Brian\u2019s courses are academically challenging, they were always well regarded, as he added boots on the\u00a0ground\u00a0fieldwork to normally dreaded group projects. Training beyond the classroom was integral to my success as a scientist; his classes were where the rubber met the road\u00a0– had we gathered adequate data about our specimens?\u00a0Had\u00a0we\u00a0packed\u00a0enough forceps? Heightening our engagement, we were pursuing contemporary research questions with tangible impacts. My group field collected\u00a0<\/span>Ixodes scapularis<\/span><\/i>\u00a0ticks, which\u00a0transmit\u00a0Lyme disease, and needed to be tracked on their southward expansion into western North Carolina. Students were empowered through these experiences, which bestowed more responsibility than\u00a0typical for\u00a0undergraduate students.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Similarly, another of his former students, Lieutenant Corey Day, MS, PhD, who now works for the United States Navy, illustrates Dr. Byrd\u2019s approach to (most literal) hands-on teaching with this recollection about a class: \u201cThe \u201cskeeter\u201d man showed up to our classroom with a cage filled with hundreds of mosquitoes, into which he promptly inserted his entire arm. While the mosquitoes fed on his blood, Brian explained his scientific role as a medical entomologist, including his mission to reduce the hidden burden of a little-known mosquito-borne disease that affected families in western North Carolina. […] His classes taught you how to think broadly and critically, organize projects, and work together as a team.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/01\/Hall_Kim_Image-682×1024.jpg” alt=”Professional headshot of Kim Hall, smiling into the camera.” title_text=”Hall_Kim_Image” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Kim<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Hall (PhD) is an<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>As<\/span>sociate Professor in the Environmental Health Program\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the School of Health Sciences.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Dr. Hall joined\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>WCU in 20<\/span>1<\/span>5<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>and currently teaches courses including Water Quality Control, Environmental Toxicology, Solid and Hazardous Materials Management, Introduction to Environmental Health, and others. She\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ma<\/span>intains<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>n active undergraduate research program involving students in the evaluation, development, and modeling of fecal pollution and source indicators in surface water.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In Dr. Hall\u2019s own words,\u00a0her teaching philosophy is\u00a0\u201c<\/span>grounded in the belief that enthusiasm for learning is infectious. As an instructor, I bring my passion for science and public health into the classroom to inspire students to explore the environmental, social, economic, and political dimensions of global health challenges. I view education in environmental public health as both an intellectual and professional journey\u2014one that equips students with the tools and mindsets needed to become skilled practitioners who protect the health and well-being of populations.\u201d\u00a0Ultimately, she\u00a0is hoping that her approach to the classroom is \u201c[…] helping students become thoughtful, engaged, and resilient practitioners.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Clint Pinion, Jr.\u00a0(DrPH, EdD,\u00a0EHAC Council Member)\u00a0describes\u00a0Dr. Hall\u2019s instructional approach as follows:\u00a0\u201cDr. Hall consistently designs and delivers courses that foster critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and evidence-based decision-making.\u00a0Through the use of\u00a0real-world case studies, field investigations, and project-based learning, she enables students to apply theoretical knowledge to contemporary environmental health challenges such as water quality, air pollution, waste management, and occupational safety. Her approach ensures that students understand not only the science underlying environmental health but also its policy and community implications.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Hall\u2019s desire to prepare students for work that environmental health professionals will face once entering the workforce, becomes evident in\u00a0Morgan Lawson\u2019s\u00a0(MS, CIH, CSP)\u00a0description of her\u00a0experience\u00a0being a student:\u00a0\u201cOne of the most effective teaching tools Dr. Hall implemented in her courses was stepping outside of the classroom and introducing us to real-life scenarios. For example, we\u00a0participated\u00a0in mock restaurant inspections and\u00a0observed\u00a0the water\u00a0sanitation\u00a0process at the campus treatment plant.\u00a0She also engaged local environmental health professionals to share their\u00a0experiences\u00a0and provide different perspectives. Genuinely caring about the development of the next generation of Environmental health professionals is one of the many qualities that\u00a0separate\u00a0Dr. Hall from the rest. Her goal is to inspire a\u00a0passion\u00a0for environmental\u00a0health\u00a0and guide students to become\u00a0knowledgeable\u00a0and well-rounded.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Yang Zhang (PhD) is an<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>A<\/span>sso<\/span>ciate<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Professor in the School of Engineering + Technology\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and joined\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>WCU in 2017<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The courses\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Dr. Zhang teaches<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>include Engineering Graphics, 3-D Solid Modeling, Advanced 3D Computer Modeling and Rapid Prototyping, Advanced Parametric Modeling and Design, and Engineering Statics<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>among others.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>His research interests center around\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span>dvanced and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span>dditive\u00a0<\/span><\/span>m<\/span>anufacturing, including process parameters optimization, structural optimization, lattice structure design, sustainable materia<\/span>l<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>utilizati<\/span>o<\/span>n<\/span>, and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>l<\/span>if<\/span>e cycle ass<\/span>essment<\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2026\/01\/Zhang_Yang_Image.jpg” alt=”Professional headshot of Yang Zhang, smiling into the camera.” title_text=”Zhang_Yang_Image” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Dr. Zhang describes his teaching style\u00a0as follows: \u201cMy pedagogical philosophy centers around the belief that the most effective means of conveying subject matter is by kindling students’ interest. In all my courses, my foremost\u00a0objective\u00a0is to engender a deep fascination with the subject matter. Building upon this, I prioritize student involvement. This involves encouraging students to pose questions,\u00a0fostering\u00a0collaborative discussions among them before I provide answers, and inviting students to articulate their perspectives. Once a solid conceptual understanding has been\u00a0established, I employ an object-oriented approach to planning and design,\u00a0leveraging\u00a0teamwork to enhance students’ problem analysis and problem-solving capabilities. I am consistently enthusiastic about integrating diverse instructional methods into my classes to stimulate student engagement and cultivate independent and critical thinking skills.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ariel Col\u00f3n-Rodr\u00edguez, now\u00a0a PhD student\u00a0in\u00a0Nuclear Engineering\u00a0at Virginia Tech, shares what it was like to take\u00a0ENGR 132 – Engineering Graphics\u00a0with Dr. Zhang:\u00a0\u201cI am grateful to have learned from him and\u00a0benefited\u00a0from the way he taught that class. Through his instruction, I came to appreciate how foundational engineering graphics is, a skill that has gradually faded with the growing reliance on modern software. Dr. Zhang reminded us why understanding the fundamentals of drawing, visualization, and interpretation\u00a0remains\u00a0essential for every great engineer. His patience, organization, and ability to engage with students from a variety of backgrounds made the course both approachable and meaningful, leaving a strong impression that shaped how I viewed engineering as a discipline.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Former student Catherine Johnson, who took multiple classes with Dr. Zhang, describes her learning experience for her final senior capstone project as follows:\u00a0\u201cOur team was chosen to work\u00a0with\u00a0AlonTree\u00a0company based out of Asheville, North Carolina to redesign a neurological recovery device for rehabilitation purposes for stroke survivors. Throughout the entire year, Professor Zhang relentlessly gave our team his time,\u00a0guidance\u00a0and support to encourage our creativity and production of a top-of-the-line product for our\u00a0sponsor\u2019s\u00a0company. During our weekly meetings, he prompted our team with creative ideas, problem solving methods and suggestions that challenged and inspired us to create and develop a very sleek and impressive design of a functionally sound and successful product. He also sought and successfully secured grant funding to support our whole team of four students to travel to Orlando, FL, to attend the AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) Inspire Annual Conference, which is the biggest conference in occupational therapy, to\u00a0showcase\u00a0our design.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The CFC would like to extend their sincere thanks to the dedicated work of the 2025-26 BOG committee: Alvin Malesky (chair),\u202fChanna De Silva (last year\u2019s winner and next year\u2019s committee chair),\u202fas well as committee members\u202fHannah\u202fBuala,\u202fJoy Bowers-Campbell, Ethan Cheng,\u202fIsaiah\u202fFeken, James Hogan, Luke\u202fManget, Minu Thomas,\u202fand Paul Yanik.\u202f<\/span><\/i>\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The University of North Carolina Board of Governors\u00a0will\u00a0select 17 outstanding faculty members to receive the 2026\u202fAwards for Excellence in Teaching.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Established in 1994, the UNC Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award highlights the significance of teaching and aims to encourage,\u00a0identify, recognize, reward, and support outstanding teaching within the university. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3390,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[57,490,436,728],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24321","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-cfc-insider","category-teaching-and-learning","category-teaching-award"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":22015,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2025\/01\/15\/etle-spring-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":24321,"position":0},"title":"ETLE – Spring 2025","author":"Anabel Livengood","date":"January 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "AI"","block_context":{"text":"AI","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/ai\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"QR code to registration form.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2025\/01\/ETLE-2025-reg-SV_9ohl1hG2sh0Hp2e-qrcode.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":21131,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2023\/02\/24\/summer-institute-for-teaching-learning-sitl-2023\/","url_meta":{"origin":24321,"position":1},"title":"Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning (SITL) 2023","author":"Ian Selig","date":"February 24, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2023\/02\/Bradshaw.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16341,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2020\/08\/21\/call-for-faculty-nominations-board-of-governors-excellence-in-teaching-award\/","url_meta":{"origin":24321,"position":2},"title":"Call for Faculty Nominations – Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award","author":"Terry Pollard","date":"August 21, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Calls are now open for the 2020-2021 WCU Board of Governors award for Excellence in Teaching, the university\u2019s most esteemed teaching award. The UNC system-level award was established in 1993 to recognize our finest teaching at each of our universities. Deans, faculty, and alumni may make a nomination through completion\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20638,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2022\/04\/20\/summer-institute-for-teaching-learning-sitl\/","url_meta":{"origin":24321,"position":3},"title":"Summer Institute for Teaching & Learning (SITL)","author":"Eli Collins-Brown","date":"April 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Active Learning"","block_context":{"text":"Active Learning","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/active-learning\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"QRQ code to register for SITL","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/87\/2022\/03\/SV_1FX4RGQqj1AjF54-qrcode.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23582,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2025\/08\/25\/fall-teaching-essentials\/","url_meta":{"origin":24321,"position":4},"title":"Essential Teaching Resources for a Strong Fall Semester","author":"Anabel Livengood","date":"August 25, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":24568,"url":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/2026\/03\/12\/april-2026-online-teaching-cohort\/","url_meta":{"origin":24321,"position":5},"title":"Click.Craft.Connect","author":"Anabel Livengood","date":"March 12, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Blog"","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/blog\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3390"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24321"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24321\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24395,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24321\/revisions\/24395"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/affiliate.wcu.edu\/cfc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Finalist\u00a0Spotlight: Brian Byrd<\/h2>\n
Finalist Spotlight: Kim Hall<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
Finalist Spotlight: Yang Zhang<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n