Oakland University Board of Trustees appoints three faculty to rank of Distinguished Professor

On February 13, the Oakland University Board of Trustees approved the appointment of three faculty members — Sergey Golovashchenko, Ph.D., James T. Hansen, Ph.D., and Jennifer Vonk, Ph.D. — to the rank of Distinguished Professor, the university’s highest faculty honor. The designation is effective August 15, 2026 and will remain in place throughout their active service at OU.

Established in 1988, the Distinguished Professor designation recognizes sustained excellence in teaching, scholarship and creative activity, and service. Conferred upon recommendation of the President and Provost, the honor reflects Oakland University’s commitment to academic distinction, student mentorship and community engagement.

Sergey Golovashchenko

Dr. Golovashchenko, a professor of mechanical engineering in the School of Engineering and Computer Science, is an internationally recognized leader in industry sheet metal forming and advanced manufacturing. Since joining Oakland University in 2014, he has built a remarkable record of research productivity and innovation.

He has authored one book chapter, 89 journal articles and 69 conference papers, and holds 51 U.S. patents. He has delivered more than 100 invited presentations and keynote addresses worldwide and is listed among Stanford University’s top 2% of scientists based on citation impact.

Golovashchenko has secured 68 external grants and contracts totaling more than $3.3 million as principal investigator at OU, in addition to more than $5.3 million in funding prior to his arrival. His research has been supported by federal agencies and industry partners, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USCAR, the Auto/Steel Partnership, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis.

His leadership in developing the NSF IUCRC Center for Sheet Metal Forming — in collaboration with Ohio State University and the University of New Hampshire — has strengthened industry partnerships while advancing manufacturing innovation. Among his many honors are the 2025 Auto/Steel Partnership Award of Excellence – Key Collaborator and the 2020 OU SECS Outstanding Research Award.

“This appointment is a great honor, for which I am deeply thankful,” Golovashchenko said. “I would like to give special thanks to my colleagues at the School of Engineering and Computer Science and the Oakland University Research Office for their extensive support throughout my career at Oakland. It is a great pleasure to be part of the Oakland University family.”

James T. Hansen

Dr. Hansen, a professor of counseling in the School of Education and Human Services, is widely recognized for scholarship that has shaped contemporary understanding of philosophical issues in counseling and mental health culture.

Over his career, Dr. Hansen has published more than 50 single-author peer-reviewed articles, authored or edited four books, and contributed numerous chapters to foundational texts in the field. His interdisciplinary work bridges counseling, philosophy, history and cultural anthropology, and his scholarship has been cited more than 2,000 times.

A special issue of the Journal of Humanistic Counseling was devoted to his work, including his influential article, “Extending the humanistic vision: Toward a humanities foundation for the counseling profession.” He received the Psyche Award for “Most Valuable Paper of General Interest to the Field of Mental Health Care” from the Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, and one of his articles was later recognized among ten exemplary works from a century of the Journal of Counseling & Development.

Hansen is also a dedicated mentor. He has chaired and served on numerous doctoral committees, guiding students who now serve as faculty members and leaders across the country — extending his impact well beyond campus.

“I am deeply honored by this appointment and grateful for the recognition of my work and mentorship over the years,” Hansen said.

Jennifer Vonk

Dr. Vonk, a professor of psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences, is an internationally known comparative-cognitive psychologist whose research spans nearly three decades.

She has authored almost 200 publications, including book chapters, edited volumes, reviews, commentaries, and encyclopedia entries. Her research explores the evolutionary foundations of cognition across species and has led to collaborative partnerships with institutions such as the Detroit Zoo, the Saginaw Children’s Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, and the Creature Conservancy in Ann Arbor — creating meaningful research opportunities for Oakland students.

Vonk serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of Behavioural Processes and Section Editor for PeerJ, reflecting her leadership and influence in the field. She was elected a Fellow of the Society for Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology of the American Psychological Association, reflecting her international standing in the discipline.

Her commitment to mentorship is equally notable. She provides thoughtful guidance on graduate students’ master’s and doctoral proposals, helping them refine their research and achieve their academic goals. Several of her former students have gone on to secure tenured faculty positions, a testament to her sustained dedication to student success and scholarly excellence.

“It is an honor just to be considered amongst some of the colleagues that I have the deepest respect for,” Vonk said. “It is always rewarding to be recognized for hard work and dedication.”

Together, the appointments of Drs. Golovashchenko, Hansen and Vonk highlight the depth of scholarly excellence across Oakland University’s schools and colleges. Their achievements reflect the university’s mission and its enduring commitment to research, teaching and service at the highest level.