OHIO's Sociology and Anthropology Department presents Community Partner Award to Shawn Stover

Ohio University’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology recently presented its 2026 Community Partner Award to Shawn Stover.

Stover, who earned his bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology from OHIO in 1989, serves as the coordinator for the Athens County Reentry Program.

The Reentry Program, which is a part of Athens County Job and Family Services, is designed to connect citizens returning from incarceration to needed services. The program connects each client it serves with specific services to meet their needs in order to address the barriers to self-sufficiency and to reduce the likelihood of additional criminal behavior.

In Stover’s role, he supervises one of the most comprehensive prisoner reentry programs in the country. He also co-chairs Athens HOPE (Helping Overcome substance use disorder through Prevention and Education) and has previously chaired the Athens Meigs County Reentry Coalition.

In addition, Stover is exceedingly generous with his time and expertise, as evidenced by his regular visits to sociology-criminology courses at Ohio University and the Ohio Innocence Project student group on campus.

Dr. Sam Kizer, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, said the department was proud to award Stover with Community Partner Award.

“At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, Shawn Stover offers insight on rural reentry, hosts professionalization exercises, and provides opportunities for internships, practicum and employment to our students," Kizer said.  “All of these activities are designed for students to develop empathy, communication skills and nuanced knowledge about prisoner reentry, all of which guide our students to ‘think critically, care deeply, lead boldly and ultimately depart to serve.’”

Here are a few additional comments about Stover and the outstanding work that he does for the community.

• “Shawn has welcomed our undergraduate majors to remotely join meetings... Furthermore, several of my Addiction and Recovery capstone students engaged with Shawn and members of Athens HOPE during Recovery Month events last fall. In short, Shawn has been an enduring source of support in the community for our department and students.” – Dr. Tom Vander Ven, professor of sociology at Ohio University.
• “Working with Shawn Stover for my practicum experience was truly an honor. Shawn cares so deeply about the population he serves and his coworkers that it shines through in everything he does. He taught me a lot about how to navigate the world of rural reentry, and how to meet the residents where they are to be able to help them. I can think of no one more deserving for this award.” – Katie Geyer, policy/data analyst, Office of Justice Policy and Programs in Columbus.
• “Shawn has an approach to life that is rooted in equity, empathy and humanity. He said he has worked in social work for over 36 years and grows more passionate about it every day. I think he is without a doubt making Athens a better place and he’s committed to helping others do so. He loves this place, he loves people and he’s dedicated to community building, that is clear. Our chapter really enjoyed having him this evening, and we think he is totally deserving of this award.” – Grace Good, B.A. 2026, political science pre-law and sociology-criminology major, president of the Ohio University chapter of the Ohio Innocence Project.
• “Shawn excels in all the criteria for this award. His work advances the needs of our community and region. I will highlight his work directing the reentry program for Athens County and leading two community coalitions. Going well beyond his job description, his work also bridges to Ohio University, where he helps students to gain knowledge of rural poverty and prisoner reentry and offers training opportunities. I will highlight his connections with the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, though he also works with students in the College of Health Sciences and Professions. We have seen Shawn support our students in many ways: leading internships and practicums, speaking at group events and classes, and holding informational meetings with students individually.” – Dr. Nicole Kaufman, associate professor of sociology at Ohio University.

For more information on the work that Stover does for the community, see the Athens County Reentry Program website.

For more information OHIO’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and the wide range of programs it offers students, see this Ohio University website.