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George �鶹��Ƶ researchers honored with SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Awards

Katarina Benson — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:46:48 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ researchers honored with SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Awards Katarina Benson Fri, 01/16/2026 - 13:46

�鶹��Ƶ’s Xuesu Xiao, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science within the College of Engineering and Computing, and Michael S. Bloom, a professor in the Department of Global and Community Health within the College of Public Health, were among the 12 recipients honored by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) with 2026 Outstanding Faculty Awards.

Chosen from a pool of 81 nominees and 21 finalists representing the commonwealth’s public and private colleges and universities, the recipients are recognized for their superior accomplishments in teaching, research, and public service. Each will receive a $7,500 award at a March 3 ceremony in Richmond.

“I am thrilled that two George �鶹��Ƶ faculty members have been selected to receive the SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award this year,” said George �鶹��Ƶ Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Ajay Vinzé. “As the highest honor for faculty in the Commonwealth, this award recognizes the exceptional contributions that George �鶹��Ƶ faculty make through research that addresses society’s most pressing challenges, as well as through engaging students in impactful teaching and mentoring experiences that foster student success. In addition, these two award recipients are deeply committed to service, innovation, and leadership in their fields. This honor is richly deserved; together, they showcase the best of George �鶹��Ƶ.”

Xiao directs the RobotiXX Lab and is an assistant professor in the department of Computer Science. Photo by Office of University Branding

Xiao was recognized as a “Rising Star” for his early-career accomplishments. He directs the RobotiXX Lab and works at the intersection of motion planning and machine learning, with a focus on developing highly capable mobile robots that can operate in real-world environments with minimal human supervision. His work has supported search-and-rescue efforts following the Mexico City earthquake, the Greece refugee crisis, and decommissioning efforts at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. In 2025, Xiao received the George �鶹��Ƶ Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence in Research.

“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects Virginia’s commitment to scholarship that serves the public good,” Xiao said. “It strengthens the commonwealth’s research profile, prepares students to address complex, real-world challenges, and recognizes not only my research contributions, but also the broader vision behind them—advancing robotics research with real impact while educating and mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

Gurdip Singh, the divisional dean of the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing within the College of Engineering and Computing, said George �鶹��Ƶ was fortunate to have such a talented young researcher as Xiao.

“His breakthroughs in robotics are making an impact at conferences around the world and establishing our prominence in this rapidly growing field,” he said. “The test bed at the RobotiXX Lab is the only one of its kind in the region, if not the country.”

Bloom teaches graduate-level epidemiology and mentors graduate students, while conducting research on the health effects and sources of exposure to environmental pollutants, with a focus on human reproduction and fetal development. His work is driven by a commitment to addressing health disparities and supporting vulnerable populations.

Bloom, a professor in the Department of Global and Community Health. Photo by Office of University Branding

A reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist, Bloom was recently elected to a five-year leadership role within the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, where he will serve on the Leadership Committee of the Environment and Reproduction Special Interest Group in a series of roles culminating as chair.

Bloom has co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, with research funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Fulbright Program.

“Receiving this award is an incredible honor,” Bloom said. “It reflects not only my efforts, but also the support and collaboration of colleagues, students, and mentors who have shaped my journey. This recognition reinforces our shared mission as George �鶹��Ƶ faculty—advancing education, research, and service that make a meaningful difference.”

Melissa J. Perry, dean of the College of Public Health, called Bloom’s recognition “a testament to his exceptional scholarship and unwavering commitment to public health.”

“His expertise in environmental health and his pioneering research on the impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals have advanced our understanding of critical health challenges,” she said. “We are proud to have Dr. Bloom as a leader in our college, shaping the future of public health through his research, mentorship, and dedication to improving health for all.”

Bloom said it was humbling to join a long line of accomplished faculty scholars at George �鶹��Ƶ and across Virginia, noting that the award reflects a broader tradition of excellence in teaching, mentoring, research, and public service that continues to shape the future of higher education.

Xiao and Bloom become the 30th and 31st George �鶹��Ƶ faculty to receive SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Awards since the program’s inception in 1987. Recipients of this award are selected by their institutions, reviewed by a panel of peers, and chosen by a committee of leaders from the public and private sectors.

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Xuesu Xiao

Michael S. Bloom, PhD, MS, FACE

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Health administration and policy trailblazing leader P.J. Maddox retires after 30 years at George �鶹��Ƶ

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 13:32:38 +0000

Health administration and policy trailblazing leader P.J. Maddox retires after 30 years at George �鶹��Ƶ Mary Cunningham Fri, 04/04/2025 - 09:32

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After 30 years of outstanding service to �鶹��Ƶ’s health administration and policy programs, distinguished leader and cherished member of the College of Public Health P.J. Maddox will retire at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Maddox, who has served for 20 years as chair of the Department of Health Administration and Policy and is co-director of the Virginia Center for Health Workforce, leaves behind a legacy of unparalleled dedication, innovation, and impact.

P.J. Maddox, PhD, professor and chair, Health Administration and Policy

Maddox's illustrious career at George �鶹��Ƶ has been nothing short of transformative. Starting as an assistant professor in 1995, Maddox oversaw creation and growth, establishing the Office of Health Services Research in the Center for Health Policy and a few years later, the Department of Health Administration and Policy and its many award-winning programs. Under her visionary leadership, the department flourished. P.J. launched innovative programs where she and the faculty have received prestigious accolades.

Dean Melissa Perry expressed her profound gratitude for Maddox's contributions, stating, "Dr. P.J. Maddox has been a beacon of excellence and innovation at �鶹��Ƶ. Her visionary leadership, tireless dedication, and unwavering commitment to advancing health education have left an indelible mark on our institution. Maddox's impact on the College of Public Health and the broader community is immeasurable. She has inspired countless students, faculty, and professionals, and her legacy will continue to guide us for generations to come. P.J., we are deeply grateful for your years of service and wish you all the best in your well-deserved retirement."

Maddox's achievements have been recognized widely. Awards and recognition include being named the 2021 George �鶹��Ƶ Faculty of the Year and the 2025 George �鶹��Ƶ Legacy Award winner, as testament to her legacy through her contributions to the university's mission, values, and growth, shaping the institution in meaningful ways.

Throughout her acclaimed career, Maddox, who holds and Doctor of Education; Master of Science, Nursing; and a Master of Science in Nursing, has made significant contributions to academia. Maddox’s academic career has included numerous peer-reviewed academic papers and book chapters and has been awarded prestigious research grants from organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control, Health Resources and Services Administration, Claude Moore Foundation, Northern Virginia Area Health Education Council, Virginia Joint Commission on Healthcare, U.S. Office of Domestic Preparedness, and National Institutes of Health. Her research has advanced the field of health administration and policy, earning her recognition as one of the Top Health Administration Faculty in the U.S. by Modern Healthcare.

“Where to I begin on my adoration for Dr. P.J. Maddox? P.J. has been a mentor, friend, coach and advisor since I started my master’s program in the late 1990s and is to this very day. Her perspective, passion for education, advancement of our field, community service, and mentorship puts P.J. on a pedestal all by herself. I cannot imagine the �鶹��Ƶ Nation without P.J. in the faculty! Wishing P.J. well on her retirement, thanks for her years of service to our field, the thousands of students she has helped educate, advance and support. Happy retirement my dear friend and know you are in our hearts always!” said David Goldberg, College Advisory Board member; president and CEO, Mon Health System, Davis Health System-Vandalia Northern Region; and MHA alum.

Under Maddox's guidance, the Department of Health Administration and Policy has flourished. A vanguard for online education, she was instrumental in launching the university’s first online program partnership, resulting in the enrollment of over 300 students in the online master's in health administration and MS in Health Informatics programs since 2018. The department has been an early adopter of George �鶹��Ƶ’s efforts to expand access to academic programs, participating in �鶹��Ƶ Advance and Advance Online undergraduate programs, as well as expedited matriculation pathways such as bachelor-to-accelerated masters and articulation pathways with Northern Virginia Community College.

Maddox's vision and leadership established the Department of Health Administration and Policy as a separate entity from the School of Nursing in 2005. Since then, the department has grown from five full-time faculty to 21 faculty and three administrative support staff, with student enrollment increasing by more than 180 percent since 2010. Under her stewardship, the department has developed and implemented six new degree programs, earning accolades such as the Sustainability in Healthcare Management Education award from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) in 2022 and CAHME Herzlinger innovation in education award in 2025.

Her efforts have also led to the launch of the first stand-alone Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics degree in Virginia in 2021 and the reaccreditation of the Bachelor of Science in Health Administration (BSHA) by the Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) with Full Certified Undergraduate Program Status in 2020 for an additional six years.

Maddox, along with Caroline Sutter, established the �鶹��Ƶ Center for the Health Workforce in 2022. In April 2024, the Center received $921,000 in federal funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and has been featured in several news outlets for addressing the health care worker shortage.

“After decades of visionary leadership, unwavering dedication, and transformative impact, my esteemed co-director of the Center for Health Workforce at �鶹��Ƶ, Dr. PJ Maddox, is retiring from �鶹��Ƶ. With deep admiration and a touch of bittersweet pride, I celebrate her extraordinary contributions not only to the CPH programs she helped to shape, but to the health workforce across Virginia. P.J.’s brilliance, compassion, and pioneering spirit elevated our Center, inspired countless students, and strengthened our mission to advance healthcare talent and innovation. As my partner and mentor, she leaves a legacy woven into the fabric of our community—one that will guide us for years to come. As she embarks on this well-earned next chapter, I wish her joy, discovery, and the same passion she brought to our work every day. Thank you, P.J., for everything,” said Caroline Sutter, co-director of the Center for Health Workforce with Maddox.

Within the College and University, Maddox has held pivotal roles, including professor, assistant and acting dean, program coordinator, director for the Office of Research Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics, coordinator for the Health Systems Management graduate program and director for the Office of Research Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics, assistant dean then acting director of Graduate Health Science Programs, and most recently, and co-acting director of the School of Nursing. Her legacy of excellence and unwavering commitment to the field will continue to guide and inspire future generations.

Maddox's retirement marks the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to inspire and guide us. Her contributions to �鶹��Ƶ and the field of health administration and policy are immeasurable, and her impact will be felt for generations to come. We extend our deepest gratitude for her years of service, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence. As she embarks on this new chapter, we wish her all the best in her retirement and future endeavors.

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George �鶹��Ƶ researchers honored with SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Awards

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Health administration and policy trailblazing leader P.J. Maddox retires after 30 years at George �鶹��Ƶ

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