Alutto Suspitsyna

HESA colleagues, students praise her instructional skills

Tatiana Suspitsyna wasn’t sure why Interim President Joseph Alutto was interrupting her class on Feb. 24. Then he announced she had been selected for a 2014 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Suspitsyna received an apple – “I’m going to bronze this,” she said of the red and yellow Gala – along with a $3,000 honorarium and a $1,300 increase in her base salary.

In their nomination, fellow faculty praised the associate professor of higher education and student services (HESA) for her courses on organizational theory, academic administration, internationalizing colleges and universities, and higher education and the public good.

Outstanding in and out of her classes

“Her instructional style is outstanding,” said a fellow professor in the Department of Educational Studies. “All 30 students in her class were completely on task and engrossed in the discussion.”

“Dr. Suspitsyna is a brilliant scholar. She assigns sometimes difficult material, but helps you metabolize it,” a HESA graduate student said. “I love conversations with her (outside class) and always walk away having learned something about the material or myself.”

Another student complimented her on making him feel welcome even though he was not majoring in the HESA program. A little shy in class, he appreciated opportunities she gave students to share opinions through online discussions.

A nominator who first met her in the master’s program and continued in the PhD program notes, “I truly believe without her help, I would not be the scholar I am today.”

“We are proud of Tatiana as a colleague and outstanding example of the high-quality professors our students meet every day in their classes,” said Cheryl Achterberg, dean of the College of Education and Human Ecology.

An alumna recalled a study abroad tour to Great Britain. Thanks to Suspitsyna, students explored all aspects of the country’s educational system, from elementary schools to Cambridge University.

Only 10 Ohio State faculty members are honored each year with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching. A committee of students, previous recipients and alumni chooses the recipients.

Dr. Suspitsyna is the 59th faculty member from the college to be honored with Ohio State’s top recognition since the award was first established in 1959.

The Higher Education and Student Affairs program in the Department of Educational Studies is one of the nation’s preeminent educational programs. HESA graduates include distinguished scholars, presidents, provosts, deans and other leaders in higher education, the government, nonprofit organizations and the private sector. The Student Personnel Assistantship Program (SPA) connects HESA students with opportunities across and beyond Ohio State’s campus.

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