News and Information for Ohio State Faculty
FACULTY AFFAIRS
April 2025
Distinguished University Professors announced
Five faculty members have been designated as Distinguished University Professors. The Office of Academic Affairs awards the permanent, honorific title on a competitive basis to full tenure-track professors who have truly exceptional records in teaching, research, scholarly or creative work and service.
Three faculty members honored for university service
Three faculty members are recipients of the 2025 President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service. L. Camille Hébert, professor of law; Mitchell B. Lerner, professor of history; and Sara Watson, associate professor of political science, received surprise visits from university leadership announcing the awards.
Learn More About the Recipients
Faculty Affairs Leadership Podcast: Gaëtane Verna
Step behind the canvas and into the world of creativity with our latest episode! Join us as we sit down with Gaëtane Verna, executive director of the Wexner Center for the Arts. Delve into the depths of artistic innovation and cultural impact as we explore the intersection of art, education and community.
Provost’s Midcareer Scholars 2025 cohort announced
Six associate professors were recently chosen to participate in the next cohort of Provost’s Midcareer Scholars: Scarlet and Gray Associate Professors. The program supports tenure-track faculty who have recently been appointed to the rank of associate professor with tenure and who have demonstrated exceptional excellence in scholarship, teaching and service.
Learn More About the Midcareer Scholars
Provost Bellamkonda: University is ‘the school for the whole state’
Provost Ravi Bellamkonda has received a warm reception at Ohio State, including from President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. The pair hit it off immediately, Bellamkonda said, in part because of their commitment to higher education. “What united us in our first conversations was a passionate feeling that higher ed is important to this country,” he said. “Institutions like Ohio State, in their mission to transform the lives of students of all socioeconomic backgrounds, they also transform those families’ lives. There’s a generational impact.”
Learn More about Provost Bellamkonda
Community Engaged Scholar Awards
The Community Engaged Scholar Award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated co-created engaged scholarship that has positively impacted communities. Community Engaged Scholars have made significant contribution to Ohio State's culture of engagement, further establishing, and strengthening the institution's commitment to communities. Six faculty members were honored this year.
Learn More About the Engaged Scholars
10 faculty members honored for teaching excellence
The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, established during the 1959-60 academic year, is one of the university’s most prestigious teaching awards. Ten faculty members were recently honored with the award.
Six honored by provost for distinguished teaching
Six faculty members were recently announced as 2025 Provost’s Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer recipients. The award recognizes a maximum of six lecturers or other associated faculty for their teaching excellence. Honorees are inducted into Ohio State’s Academy of Teaching and recognized with an honorarium made possible by the Office of Academic Affairs.
Innovators of the Year named at 2025 Research and Innovation Showcase
At the Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge's annual Research and Innovation Showcase held on April 16, Sanjay Krishna was named as Ohio State’s 2025 Innovator of the Year. In a video overview of Krishna’s work, he said “It’s really humbling to be named Ohio State Innovator of the year.” Two additional innovators were recognized: Eduardo Reátegui, was named Early Career Innovator of the Year and Ian Harris was named Next Generation Innovator of the Year.
Learn More About the Innovators of the Year
Opportunities
Academy of Teaching Conference
The Drake Institute looks forward to partnering with the Academy of Teaching to host the Academy of Teaching 2025 Spring Conference on May 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Blackwell Inn. This year’s theme is "Teaching Transformations." From the integration of cutting-edge educational technologies and the growing presence of generative AI to the evolving support structures within and beyond Ohio State, teaching is undergoing profound transformations that can be both encouraging and challenging. These changes are reshaping how courses are designed, content is delivered, and student progress is assessed.
Limited Submission Opportunities
The Office of Foundation Relations manages the limited submission process for private foundation opportunities, which are listed on the Research Funding and Awards site.
Update to Scarlet & Grant log-in process: There has been a recent update to the log-in process for the Scarlet & Grants private funding opportunity database. Users will now access the grant database by clicking on "Sign in with name.#" and entering their university credentials.
Open and Upcoming Opportunities:
- Brain Research Foundation - 2026 Scientific Innovations Awards
Internal due date: April 22; LOI due date: June 3; Proposal due date: Sept. 23 - William T. Grant Foundation – Scholars Program
Internal due date: April 28; Mentor and reference letter due date: June 11; Proposal due date: July 1 - Public Interest Technology University Network – PIT-UN Challenge Grant
Anticipated posting date: April TBD; Anticipated internal due date: May TBD; Anticipated proposal due date: May TBD
2025-26 Academic Leadership Series for Faculty with Dr. Stefan Niewiesk
Enhance your leadership skills and gain valuable insights into academic leadership through this engaging series designed for faculty. Registration is required.
- Autumn (in-person): Thursdays, Sept. 4 - Oct. 9, 2025, 4-5 p.m.
- Spring (online): Thursdays, Feb. 12 - March 19, 2026, 4-5 p.m.
International travel and registration guidance
The Office of Legal Affairs and the Office of International Affairs receive frequent questions from international students, faculty and staff concerning travel abroad and registration requirements as well as potential interactions with representatives of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Ohio State’s campuses. The Office of International Affairs provides international students and scholars with advising and assistance on immigration regulations and paperwork. International students and scholars should consider that federal travel regulations or policies may evolve and have the potential to affect reentry for some students and scholars.
Judges sought for Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
Judges are needed on May 14 for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which is being held in Columbus. Regeneron ISEF is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition. More than 1,600 students representing 60-plus countries, regions and territories will be competing for nearly $9 million in awards, scholarships, internships and prizes. Ohio State is the key academic partner for ISEF 2025. The application deadline is April 29. For more information, contact Assistant Vice Provost Nicole Nieto at nieto.12@osu.edu.
Learn More About Being a Judge
Postdoc opportunities board for resources and open positions
A coalition of postdoc offices from 18 institutions, including Ohio State, has created the Postdoc Opportunities Board to promote postdoc recruitment. Use this free resource to recruit exceptional candidates for your open postdoc position. Also share the resources with your current students and advisees who may be seeking postdoc opportunities.
Visit the Postdoc Opportunities Board
AI-Infused Course Design Institute
How can generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) help you design courses that align with your learning goals and meet your students' needs? Join us for an AI-Infused Course Design Institute, where you will learn how to prompt GenAI to support course design tasks such as creating expected learning outcomes, designing assignments and developing rubrics. There will also be opportunities to reflect upon and critique GenAI responses. Apply by May 6.
Drake Institute immersive active learning workshop
Are you an Ohio State instructor who is looking to expand your knowledge of teaching strategies, more effectively engage your students or create a more dynamic classroom environment? Consider registering for the Drake Institute’s two-day, in-person active learning workshop, which returns to the Columbus campus in May.
The Faculty Network: End-of-Year Celebration
Let's celebrate our collective achievements and put a bow on the 2024-25 academic year by coming together for afternoon hors d'oeuvres, desserts and delightful camaraderie. The Faculty Network's second annual End-of-Year Celebration is set for May 6 from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Faculty Club. Registration required as there is a limited capacity of 150 attendees.
Nominations open for Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program
The nomination process for the 2025-26 cohort of the Big Ten Academic Alliance Academic Leadership Program has begun. This intensive experience develops leadership and managerial skills for faculty who have demonstrated exceptional ability and academic promise. Nominations are due April 25.
Learn More and Submit a Nomination
Developing hands-on STEM activities
This workshop will explore effective interactive activities that demonstrate science concepts for a general audience. Researchers will 1) brainstorm ideas for STEM outreach activities, 2) use basic materials to build an activity prototype, and 3) demonstrate and receive feedback on their activity prototype and communication strategies. The workshop takes place May 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..
Faculty Affairs events calendar
Faculty Affairs has a wide range of engaging events throughout the year. Check out the events calendar for the latest. The calendar is updated on a regular basis.
In the News
- Nine Ohio State scientists selected as AAAS Fellows
- Professor Janet Box-Steffensmeier selected for a Barry Prize
- Hoffmann receives prestigious French recognition at Ohio State celebration
- Two named National Academy of Inventors Senior Members
- Ohio State sets R&D expenditures record
- Helping Community Animal Health Workers enhance skills with dedicated training guidelines
- New approach makes one type of clean fuel production 66% more efficient
- Father involvement is positively linked with children’s school engagement
- Coaching youth athletes on the playing field – and on life
- Keeping Ohio’s experts in their fields
- Crowell awarded Fulbright Specialist Award to Ecuador