Recognition
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” — Maya Angelou
Honors, Awards, and Recognition
Dr. Gaines is proud to have received multiple awards for her research, service, and teaching. Some of those honorable recognitions will be included here.
Faculty Member of the Game
University of Central Florida student athletes nominated Dr. Gaines for this recognition during the fall 2022 semester. As Faculty Member of the Game, Dr. Gaines was awarded a signed football, recognized on the field during the first half of the UCF vs. game, provided a guided tour the Wayne Densch Center for Student-Athlete Leadership, and took part in the pre-game sideline activities. The University of Central Florida’s football team is a Division I team.
2025 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award
Dr. Gaines is the proud recipient of UCF’s 2025 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award at the college level.
Innovative Teaching Award
During the Spring 2024 semester, the University of Central Florida’s College of Undergraduate Studies awarded Dr. Gaines with the innovative teaching award for her instruction and contributions to the department.
Service Awards, Black Faculty and Staff Association, University of Central Florida
Dr. Gaines was honored with a plaque and recognized for her dedication to the organization. She was presented with this service award in February 2023 and in February 2024.
Best Paper Presenter Award
In April 2022, Dr. Gaines was awarded with the Best Paper Presenter award at the 8th International Conference on Social Science & Humanities (ICSSH), The presentation was titled: “Turns Black Skin White”: Status, Black Women, and Early 1900s American Beauty Advertisements.
Perry Williams Postdoctoral Fellowship
Through the Consortium for Faculty Diversity, Dr. Gaines was able to serve as a Perry Williams Postdoctoral Fellow at the College of Wooster during the 2020/2021 academic year.
Assigned Time for Exceptional Levels of Service to Students Award
During the Fall 2020 semester, Dr. Gaines was awarded with a $4, 500 stipend for her service to students.
Honors Awards and Recognition
Fall 2022 Faculty Member of the Game, University of Central Florida
April 2022 Best Paper Presenter Award, International Conference on Social Science & Humanities (ICSSH), London, UK. Paper title: “Turns Black Skin White”: Status, Black Women, and Early 1900s American Beauty Advertisements
Fall 2020 – Spring 2021 Perry-Williams Post-Doctoral Fellowship
Fall 2020 San José State University Assigned Time for Exceptional Levels of Service to Students Award
Summer 2018 Michigan State University College of Arts and Letters Summer Support Fellowship
Fall 2017 Michigan State University College of Education Urban Education Retention Fellowship
Summer 2017 Michigan State University College of Arts and Letters Summer Support Fellowship
Spring and Summer 2016 Michigan State University Academic Achievement Graduate Assistantship
Inducted 2014 Phi Alpha Theta International History Honors Society
