Six faculty members were recently announced as the inaugural Faculty-to-Faculty Mentorship Award recipients.
This new university‑wide award, established by the Office of Academic Affairs, recognizes faculty who go beyond traditional expectations by investing time, expertise and care into guiding peers in their professional growth, scholarly development and overall success.
The inaugural recipients were selected for their sustained contributions as faculty mentors, with demonstrated impact through their guidance and meaningful mentorship activities over time.
“Faculty-to-faculty mentorship is essential to a strong academic community,” said Senior Vice Provost for Leadership and External Engagement Patrick Louchouarn. “As we introduce this new award, we are highlighting a form of leadership that is often quiet but deeply consequential. The faculty recognized this year set a powerful example of how ongoing mentorship strengthens individual careers and builds a culture of collaboration across Ohio State.”
Sharon Amacher, Department of Molecular Genetics
Sharon Amacher
Professor
Department of Molecular Genetics
College of Arts and Sciences
Recognized for an extraordinary commitment to faculty mentorship across disciplines and career stages, Sharon Amacher is a generous collaborator and advocate who invests time, expertise and care in guiding colleagues through research development, grant writing, promotion and leadership opportunities. Her mentorship has had a measurable impact on faculty success across the university. She has also been previously recognized with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching and the Community Engaged Scholar Award.
Nicholas B. Breyfogle, Department of History
Nicholas B. Breyfogle
Professor
Department of History
College of Arts and Sciences
For nearly three decades at Ohio State, Nicholas B. Breyfogle has advanced faculty success through hands-on mentorship. He is widely sought for manuscript review, guidance on research development, teaching and promotion, and advocacy across departments. As director of the Harvey Goldberg Center for Excellence in Teaching, he has led initiatives to strengthen teaching and mentored colleagues in pedagogical development. He previously received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Andréa G. Grottoli, School of Earth Sciences
Andréa G. Grottoli
Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor
School of Earth Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Through longstanding faculty mentorship and institutional leadership, Andréa G. Grottoli has played a defining role in supporting faculty development. Colleagues regularly seek her guidance on research trajectories, promotion and tenure, and institutional processes. Her work to formalize mentoring practices, lead dossier preparation workshops, and clarify expectations has strengthened transparency and consistency for faculty at all stages. She previously received the School of Earth Sciences Faculty Mentor Award.
James E. Kinder, Department of Animal Sciences
James E. Kinder
Professor
Department of Animal Sciences
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Faculty mentorship has long been central to James E. Kinder’s work as a colleague and academic leader. He is known for careful listening, candid feedback and consistent engagement that helps faculty navigate research planning, teaching decisions, career milestones, and leadership responsibilities. Within his department, he regularly provides detailed dossier reviews and practical mentoring to individual faculty, strengthening clarity and confidence across career stages.
Laura E. Lindsey, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science
Laura E. Lindsey
Professor
Department of Horticulture and Crop Science
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Laura E. Lindsey demonstrates an exceptional commitment to faculty mentorship through extensive, hands-on involvement with early-career colleagues. She has served on nine faculty mentoring committees, including six as chair, providing guidance on promotion, tenure preparation, and the demands of integrated appointments within Ohio State University Extension. Her approach is notable for its creativity and practicality, including innovative peer exchanges that foster collaboration, expand professional networks, and produce tangible research and outreach outcomes.
Ann Scheck McAlearney, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Ann Scheck McAlearney
College of Medicine Distinguished Professor
Department of Family and Community Medicine
College of Medicine
Ann Scheck McAlearney, associate dean for Health Services Research and executive director of the Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research, has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to faculty mentorship. Over the course of her career, she has guided faculty through individualized mentorship, emphasizing collaboration, leadership development and long-term growth. Through her guidance, colleagues have advanced through promotion and tenure, assumed leadership roles and built collaborative programs that foster a culture of shared mentorship.
This year’s Faculty-to-Faculty Mentorship Award recipients and other 2026 faculty award winners will be recognized on May 6 during the annual Faculty Awards Celebration.