June 11, 2025

The Westphal Research Council is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Westphal Mini-Grants. In alignment with our strategic plan, these grants reflect our strategy to provide resources for our faculty to pursue research, scholarship, and creative work that increases the impact of their work and the visibility of our college. We are also excited to share that several projects were funded through two new funding sources this year:

Grants through the Rena Cumby Curricular Innovation Fund support professional development, scholarship, and program enhancement for Westphal faculty. The Fund was established through the generosity of Rena Cumby, former department head, program director, and longtime professor of Interior Design.

Grants through the Karin Sundstedt Kuenstler Endowed Faculty Development Fund support opportunities that further the academic careers of faculty, enrich the teaching and learning opportunities of faculty, and positively impact students. The fund was established in memory of Karin Sundstedt Kuenstler, the long-serving Department Head of Design for Westphal College who, among many other important initiatives, oversaw the College’s Mini-Grant program.

Westphal Mini-Grants provide funding to full-time Westphal faculty pursuing individual or collaborative research, scholarship, and creative activities. The 2025 Mini-Grant awardees are listed below.

Rena Cumby Curricular Innovation Fund ​

• Bumjin Kim​
• Sarah Steinwachs, Joshua Weiss​

​

Karin Sundstedt Kuentsler Faculty Development Fund 

• Linda Kim​
• Jacklynn Niemiec​
• Emil Polyak, Kathi Martin, Reiko Sudo

Westphal Mini Grants

• Jeff Apruzzese​
• John Avarese​
• Daniel Coslett​
• Michael Glaser​
• Alexandra Howell Abolo, Clare Sauro​
• Linda Kim​
• Marjan Miri​
• Ryan Moys, Joe Steinhardt​
• Glen Muschio, Troy Finamore​
• Alexandra Schmidt-Ullrich​