Impact Update Spring 2025 Honors and Awards
As the warmth of spring arrives in the Buckeye state, our faculty are reaping a new crop of awards and honors. These experts put their all into honoring our mission of achieving excellence. They are always striving to contribute, to be the difference that improves lives.
Articles by Beard, president of UCEA, to frame May lecture
Two recent journal articles by Karen Stansberry Beard, associate professor of Educational Administration, and president of the University Council for Educational Administration, will ground the panel discussion at the May 8 UCEA Presidential Lecture.
The first article appeared in the journal Educational Management Administration and Leadership in January. Most studies of educator sensemaking focus on teachers. This article provides a framework to guide problem-solving, policy implementation, planning and more for school leaders. The second article is due to appear soon in the Journal of Educational Psychology.
Ford honored by national organization; named co-editor of book series
Donna Y. Ford, professor of Special Education, with specialization in gifted and talented, received the Special Education Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council for Exceptional Children in March. A story highlighting her expertise is now online.
Ford has also been appointed as co-editor of the British Psychological Society new scholarly book series, Foundations and Futures of Psychology: Global Perspectives.
The series, published by Routledge, is aimed at researchers, advanced undergraduate and post-graduate students, as well as professionals with a keen interest in the latest thinking on issues that inform their practice.
Ford may be contacted to discuss proposals for the new series.
Liu, hospitality faculty, wins Best Paper Award
Stephanie Liu, associate professor of Hospitality Management, along with her former students Huiling Huang, ’19 MS, ’22 PhD, and Xi Yu, ’21 PhD, received the Best Paper Award at the October 2024 Frontier in Hospitality and Tourism Annual Research Symposium in Shanghai, China.
Their research paper, “The Power of Typeface Curvature in Marketing Nostalgic Tourism Products," is currently being reviewed by editors of a prestigious journal.
Huiling Huang is currently an assistant professor of Integrated Resort and Tourism Management at the University of Macau. Xi Yu is currently an assistant professor of International Tourism and Management at the City University of Macau.
Piasta and team organize Society for Scientific Study of Reading pre-conference
Shayne Piasta, professor of Elementary Education, is a member of the planning team for the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading's Pre-Conference on Wednesday, July 16.
She recommends the morning session/lunch, “Choose Your Own Adventure: Career Pathways in the Academy or Beyond,” which is specifically for PhD students and early career researchers.
During the session, she will offer panelists who will talk about post-PhD academic careers, including transition to postdoctoral fellowships and various types of faculty positions. Also learn about career pathways outside of academia and have the opportunity to interact with panelists working in industry, policy, schools, foundations and other educational contexts.
The afternoon session, open to all society delegates, is about “Plan Your Own Adventure: Time Management, Productivity and Work-Life Harmony." Presenters will share evidence-based and personal strategies, as well as specific tools to boost productivity and improve work-life balance. Small group discussions will focus on developing actionable techniques and sharing insights.
Faculty member honored by National Council on Family Relations
Ashley L. Landers, associate professor of Human Development and Family Science, was awarded the First Place Cognella Innovation in Teaching Award for Family Science by Cognella and the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) in December.
The judging panel was particularly impressed with Landers’ innovative teaching approaches to assist her students in developing a better understanding of the complex nature of diagnosis in couple and family therapy.
Cognella is an academic publisher with 30-plus years in the industry.
Mayhew inducted as AERA Fellow
Matthew Mayhew, professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs and the college’s Flesher Endowed Professor of Educational Administration, was inducted as a Fellow by the American Educational Research Association at the annual conference in Denver during April.
Mayhew is known for his research on several topics, including his INSPIRES research, the Interfaith, Spiritual, Religious and Secular Campus Climate Index. He studies how institutions can establish a welcoming climate for students of multiple worldviews.
Of the latest class of 2025 AERA Fellows being inducted, “Their significant contributions to the education research field demonstrate the highest standards of academic excellence and scholarship,” said AERA Executive Director Felice J. Levine.
Ward receives prestigious Gulick Medal at 2025 SHAPE America
Phillip Ward, professor of Kinesiology, received the Luther Halsey Gulick Medal at the 2025 SHAPE America National Convention and Expo in Baltimore earlier this April. The medal is the highest honor SHAPE America bestows in recognition of long and distinguished service to one or more of the professions represented in the association.
He also presented the SHAPE America C.H. McCloy Research Lecture at the event, an opportunity that recognized his research accomplishments in the field.
Ward spoke on the topic of “Chasing Bloom’s Two Sigma Problem: What a Difference an Effective Teacher Can Make.” He discussed the value of research that examines student learning as a product of the professional development of their teachers.
Zyromski keynotes National School Counseling Leadership Conference
Brett Zyromski, associate professor of School Counseling (Counselor Education within the college), was the invited keynote speaker at the general session of the National School Counseling Leadership Conference in February.
He spoke at the general session on “Centering Community, Family and Cultural Assets to Create Hope and Belonging.” He described how research shows that hope is a stronger predictor of postsecondary achievement than ACT and SAT scores or high school GPAs. Fostering a sense of belonging can transform school culture into a powerful engine for student success.
His call to action focused on rejuvenating leadership, as well as learning how to create environments that center cultural strengths and family assets to support the success of every student.