Each year, the College of Education and Human Ecology recognizes the incredible work of our dedicated faculty and staff with a variety of awards. These awards honor the outstanding contributions that help the college achieve its vision, mission and goals.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 EHE Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards! These recipients were recognized at the EHE Faculty and Staff Convocation on August 20.
See the two videos below of Dean Don Pope-Davis surprising individual recipients by informing them of their award.
EHE Distinguished Staff Award
Janet Ciccone, Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
This award honors outstanding college staff who create an environment that fosters respect, integrity, fairness and professionalism. Recipients provide exceptional customer service to enhance faculty, staff and student experiences at The Ohio State University.
Through 45 years of service at the college, Ciccone has been dedicated to upholding EHE’s values and championing the work of the students, faculty and staff. She has been recognized for her exceptional work in sharing the voices and stories of our community, her dedication to collaborating with others and her mentorship.
EHE Distinguished Staff Leadership Award
Pete Locascio, Executive Director of Undergraduate Education
This award honors exceptional staff leadership within the college. Recipients motivate others by mentoring or coaching, provide excellent service and create an environment that reflects EHE’s mission, vision and goals.
Locascio leads a large team of advisors who are dedicated to the success of the college’s students. He has been recognized for his positive leadership and solution-focused approach, as well as his work in equity focused decision making and curriculum innovations.
EHE Outstanding Staff Team Award
Advising and Student Success Team, Office of Undergraduate Education
- LaNorris Alexander, Senior Academic Advisor
- Charlize Cahill, Program Assistant
- Sam Felhaber, Academic Advising Manager
- Ahmed Hassan, Academic Advisor
- Brandon Hines, Retention Specialist
- Susan Lee, Academic Advisor
- Yeri Owens, Academic Advisor
- Maria Nicholson, Academic Advisor
- Pete Rex, Academic Advising Manager
- Shannon Romney, Senior Academic Advisor
- Casey Smith, Academic Advisor
This award honors individuals who advance the field through transforming and integrating knowledge, facilitating learning, solving compelling problems, contributing to public policy, evaluating practices and programs or interpreting knowledge for relevant audiences.
This team has been recognized for their contributions to student success. They maintain a high standard of work and an engaging attitude throughout their many duties — from collaborating with departments to introducing new students to the college and representing the college at university-wide events.
EHE Distinguished Teaching Award
Kristen Mills, Assistant Professor, Educational Studies
This award honors individuals for excellence in teaching that encourages inquiry, reflection and innovation. Recipients value multiple perspectives and infuse technology while encouraging scholarship and collaboration.
Mills has been recognized for her work in supporting students and promoting their scholarship and work. She is dedicated to including people in the conversation and designing inclusive, student-centered coursework. Students appreciate her engagement, mentorship and willingness to be available.
EHE Distinguished Faculty Service Award
Rich Bruno, Carol S. Kennedy Professor of Human Nutrition, Human Sciences
This award honors individuals who make extensive contributions to furthering the mission of EHE. Their contributions allow faculty, staff and students to focus positively on achieving excellence. Recipients offer a record of participation and contribution in departmental committees, the Graduate Studies Committee, program committees and professional committee memberships.
Bruno’s work demonstrates a great contribution to advancing the mission of the college. His research has had a significant impact on his field, both nationally and internationally. He has provided extensive service at the department, college and university levels, and he shows a consistent commitment to student success.
EHE Distinguished Research Award
Shayne Piasta, Professor, Teaching and Learning
This award honors individuals who advance the field through transforming and integrating knowledge, facilitating learning, solving compelling problems, contributing to public policy, evaluating practices and programs or interpreting knowledge for relevant audiences.
Piasta has been recognized for advancing educational knowledge in early childhood education and literacy. She is committed to mentoring others and engaging with students and faculty in the field. She is dedicated to tackling critical issues in the field by developing better practices and helping people make better educational policy decisions. Piasta has also secured substantive funding to evaluate the effectiveness of education programs.
The Rudine S. Bishop Enhancement Award
Ivory Kennedy, Program Manager, Teaching and Learning
This award, named for the college's professor emerita who has done award-winning work on African-American children’s literature, honors faculty or staff who have demonstrated commitment to enhancing the diversity of the college. The individual chosen for this award will have clearly demonstrated their belief in the value of breaking down barriers and diversifying the college.
Kennedy’s enthusiasm and contributions showcase a dedication to student academic success and forward thinking in educational practices. He has been recognized for his adaptability, putting students first and ensuring that the program provides successful mentorship strategies.
EHE Brian Focht Faculty Impact Award
Keeley Pratt, Professor, Human Sciences
This award honors outstanding college senior faculty who have made significant and sustained contributions to their fields of study and reflected excellence in all aspects of their career, including teaching, research, leadership and service.
Pratt’s work exemplifies all aspects of this award. She has demonstrated a commitment to inclusion, paying it forward and advocating for access and mutual respect. She has produced exemplary scholarship in the field and provided distinguished service at the local, national and international levels.
Distinguished Advocate Award
TK Daniel, Flesher Professor Emeritus, Educational Studies
This award honors individuals who make outstanding contributions through their advocacy for the college and its mission.
Daniel served in the university senate for four terms, representing the college, and received the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from the university in 2020.
“T. K. Daniel’s scholarship reaches far and deep into issues of student freedoms, rights for disabled students and the effects of constitutional law and legislation on students and their education,” Pope-Davis said. “He has for decades made policymakers think beyond the statutes to the implications of the laws pertaining to all aspects of education. Here at EHE we are grateful for his contribution.”
