Nominations open for awards for outstanding community partners, community-engaged faculty, administrators

Ohio University’s Center for Community Impact is now accepting nominations for two institutional awards that celebrate exemplary community engagement and the meaningful partnerships that advance learning, research and public impact across the region and beyond.

“Our community partners and campus colleagues make Ohio University’s public mission come alive through their daily work with students and communities. These awards are a chance to celebrate those relationships and the impact they create together. I warmly encourage everyone to consider submitting a nomination for an individual or organization whose work deserves to be recognized,” said Interim Associate Vice President for Community Impact Nukhet Sandal.

OHIO Community-Engaged Faculty and Administrator Awards

The OHIO Community-Engaged Faculty and Administrator Awards honor one faculty member and one staff member each year for their commitment to impactful community engagement through programs, teaching, research and service. Recipients will have demonstrated significant positive outcomes in their work, characterized by strong community partnerships that advance student learning, support institutional goals and address pressing community priorities.

The deadline to submit nominations for the Community-Engaged Faculty and Administrator Awards is Feb. 28.

• Nominate an administrator.
• Nominate a faculty member. 

OHIO Outstanding Community Partner Awards

The OHIO Outstanding Community Partner Awards recognize external organizations that play an essential role in advancing experiential learning and other institutional priorities through sustained, reciprocal collaboration with Ohio University faculty, staff, and students. These partners contribute directly to student learning, applied research, and community impact by sharing expertise, space, and lived experience in ways that extend learning beyond the classroom.

Together, these partnerships strengthen communities, enrich student learning, and advance Ohio University’s mission as a public institution committed to civic responsibility and the public good. Nominations are accepted from each of Ohio University’s campus communities.

The deadline to submit nominations for the Outstanding Community Partner Awards is June 6.

• Nominate a community partner.

During the most recent award cycle, Ohio University recognized outstanding individuals and organizations whose work exemplifies the power of collaboration:

2025 Community-Engaged Faculty and Administrator Awardees

• Community-Engaged Administrator Award: Rebecca Robison-Miller, College of Health Sciences and Professions
• Community-Engaged Faculty Award: Dr. Lynn Harter, Scripps College of Communication

2025 Outstanding Community Partner Awardees

• Ohio University Eastern: St. Clairsville Chamber of Commerce
• Ohio University Chillicothe: Education Advisory Leadership Committee
• Ohio University Lancaster: Fairfield County Auditor’s Office
• Ohio University Southern: Third & Center
• Ohio University Zanesville: Christ’s Table
• Ohio University Partner of the Year: Athens County Public Libraries

Additional nomination criteria, eligibility details, and submission forms can be found on the Center for Community Impact’s Awards Page.

Awards will be presented at the Faculty Recognition and Awards Ceremony hosted by the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in April as well as the Community Engagement Symposium in the Fall.

For more information about the awards or nomination process, please contact Courtney Lefebvre, associate director of the Center for Community Impact.