Each year, the College of Education and Human Ecology recognizes the exceptional contributions of faculty and staff whose work advances the college’s mission and strengthens our community. Through teaching, research, service, leadership and advocacy, these individuals exemplify EHE’s commitment to education, health and well-being.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 EHE Distinguished Faculty and Staff Awards, recognized during the college’s annual Faculty and Staff Convocation.
EHE Distinguished Teaching Award
Steven Stone-Sabali, assistant professor of school psychology
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.
Stone-Sabali has earned a reputation for creating learning environments where students feel supported, challenged and valued. Students consistently praise his strong communication skills and thoughtful use of feedback as a tool for growth rather than judgment.
His teaching has received exceptional evaluations, including perfect scores for demonstrating genuine interest in teaching, welcoming student perspectives and valuing diverse experiences.
EHE Distinguished Faculty Service Award
Aina Appova, associate professor of mathematics education
This award honors individuals who make extensive contributions to furthering the mission of the college. 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.
Appova, who is faculty at the Marion Regional Campus, has demonstrated outstanding service through curriculum innovation, institutional collaboration and community engagement. She developed multiple new mathematics content courses designed specifically for prospective Pre-K-8 educators, strengthening teacher preparation through the integration of pedagogical content knowledge.
Her collaborations with school districts across Ohio have supported both preservice and practicing educators, while her international partnerships have expanded opportunities for engagement and professional growth.
EHE Distinguished Research Award
Carly Gilson, associate professor of special education
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.
Gilson’s research focuses on employment-related interventions and social skills development for individuals with disabilities. She has led innovative projects, including EMPOWER, which elevates the perspectives of self-advocates regarding their workplace experiences.
In addition to maintaining a strong record of scholarship, she is deeply committed to mentoring future researchers. In total, she has co-authored 22 peer-reviewed papers with her students, and she has presented with students 31 times at national conferences.
Gilson strives to ensure that all young people, including those with significant disabilities, can experience meaningful employment, personal independence and opportunities to continue learning and growing beyond high school.
Rudine S. Bishop Enhancement Award
Moetiz Samad, clinical assistant professor of kinesiology
Named for EHE Professor Emerita Rudine Sims Bishop, this award honors faculty or staff who have demonstrated a commitment to creating opportunities for all members of the college community to belong and thrive. The individual chosen for this award will have clearly demonstrated their belief in the value of breaking down barriers in the college.
As both an EHE alumnus and faculty member, Samad enriches the student experience through experiential and applied learning opportunities. He regularly connects classroom learning to real-world practice through local learning experiences and study-away programs that expose students to professionals, organizations and contemporary issues in the sport industry.
Through courses such as Leadership and Programming in the Sport Industry, Legal Aspects of Sport, and Research in Sport Industry, he encourages students to critically examine contemporary issues while preparing them to become thoughtful and ethical leaders in the sport industry.
EHE Distinguished Staff Leadership Award
Jackie Von Spiegel, manager, Education Program, Dennis Learning Center
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 the college's mission, vision and goals.
Von Spiegel has demonstrated extraordinary leadership while navigating increased responsibilities and limited resources. She has maintained high-quality programming for students while fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for both learners and instructors.
She played a key role in launching the Ohio State Academic Support Services Inspiring Students to Thrive (ASSIST) Group, helping expand awareness of resources that support student success. Her dedication, positivity and commitment to the university community embody the spirit of this award.
EHE Distinguished Staff Award
Shane Whitacre, program manager, Science and Mathematics Education Program
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 the college's mission, vision and goals.
Whitacre has played an essential role in strengthening partnerships between Ohio State and local school districts. Through close collaboration with teacher education leadership, he has helped advance district initiatives while supporting educator preparation and recruitment efforts. His work has contributed to stronger community relationships, increased enrollment opportunities and a more sustainable pipeline of future teachers across the region.
EHE Outstanding Staff Team Award
A. Sophie Rogers School for Early Learning Practitioners
- Anneliese Johnson, principal
- Samantha Peterson, assistant principal
- Sarah Simpson, family engagement and literacy specialist
- Nikki Moore, early childhood senior educator
- Kim Davis, early childhood senior educator
- Luanda Cunningham, early childhood senior educator
- Ayan Ahmed, early childhood senior educator
- Maureen Moore, early childhood senior educator
- Amber Fridley, early childhood senior educator
- Dilshad Tolliver, early childhood senior educator
- Faith Glaze, early childhood senior educator
- Claudia Ellerbrock, early childhood senior educator
- Lucia Castaneda Yupanqui, early childhood senior educator
- Cindy Egelhoff, early childhood senior educator
- Madison Page, early childhood senior educator
- Meredith Schilling, early childhood senior educator
- Ashley Keener, early childhood senior educator
- Daphne Wood, school aide
- Makenna Stumpf, school aide
- Skye McAndrew, school aide
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.
The practitioners team at the A. Sophie Rogers School for Early Learning has been recognized for its commitment to supporting children and families from a wide range of cultural, racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
By reducing barriers to access and addressing broader family needs, the team creates an environment where young children can thrive academically and socially. Their work reflects the school’s mission of fostering long-term success while advancing EHE’s commitment to educational opportunity, well-being and justice.
EHE Brian Focht Faculty Impact Award
Tonya Orchard, professor of human nutrition
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 careers, including teaching, research, leadership and service.
Orchard has built an internationally recognized research program focused on nutritional approaches to reducing chronic inflammation and improving health outcomes, particularly for women and older adults.
Beyond her scholarly achievements, she is known for exceptional mentorship, thoughtful leadership and a commitment to student success. Her work in curriculum development and accreditation has strengthened academic programs and enhanced educational quality across the college.
Distinguished Advocate Award
Sara McMaken, facilities senior project manager
This award honors individuals whose advocacy and leadership have made a lasting impact on the college and its mission.
McMaken has demonstrated exemplary servant leadership through strategic planning, proactive communication and collaborative problem solving. She played a central role in the Campbell Hall renovation, advocating for student-centered teaching, research and service spaces while serving as the college’s primary liaison with university partners and construction teams.
During the relocation of faculty and staff, she balanced operational complexity with exceptional care for the people affected by the transition.