ESAC
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The Engineering Staff Advisory Committee (ESAC)

Our Mission
The Engineering Staff Advisory Committee (ESAC) is a staff-led organization whose mission is to identify, address and advocate for staff interests, needs and concerns through direct, cooperative and bi-directional engagement with the Dean, Executive Committee and other university organizations; to strengthen the connection between the staff and the core mission and strategic plan of the college; and to promote and support transparency in college operations. ESAC recognizes the importance of staff to the success of the College and strives to promote the overall wellness and work-life of College of Engineering employees.
As part of his commitment to improve the work environment for staff here at the College, in 2011 Dean Emeritus David Williams called for the creation of the Engineering Staff Advisory Committee (ESAC).
Developed and implemented as a college response to the 2011 Staff Culture Survey and aligned with the College Strategic Plan, ESAC strives to represent all staff members and their interests in the College.
The committee meets monthly and its agenda is member-driven.
Governance
MISSION STATEMENT
The College of Engineering Staff Advisory Committee is a staff led organization. Our mission is to:
- Identify, address and advocate for staff interests, needs and concerns through direct, cooperative and bi-directional engagement with the Dean, Executive Committee and other university organizations;
- Strengthen the connection between the staff and the core mission and strategic plan of the college; and
- Promote and support transparency in college operations.
GROUND RULES
ESAC is a forum for the open exchange of ideas, collaborative engagement and a team-based approach to accomplishing our mission. It is understood and acknowledged that each member will bring a unique perspective and style of participation. With this in mind, we will apply the following basic Ground Rules to all of our activities:
- Have fun!
- Be respectful
- Leave titles at the door
- Work toward consensus
- Listen when others are speaking; wait your turn
- Be professional
- Be self-aware
- Be engaging and participatory
- Recognize the differences in values and viewpoints of others
- Be present
MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the ESAC shall be limited to not more than fifteen members.
ESAC members are chartered to represent the full breadth of the College of Engineering staff. Members should endeavor to attend every meeting of the ESAC. If attendance is not possible, the ESAC Chair should be provided 48 hours’ notice. Representatives have the responsibility to actively participate at all times as an Officer or on at least one Subcommittee.
ESAC shall make every effort to maintain a diverse membership.
If the Committee determines it is prudent to extend the length of membership terms, current members affected by the change will need to either: A) request supervisor permission to fill the remainder of the extended term, or B) agree to end their term on the Committee based on the original length when they accepted membership.
TERM OF SERVICE
Terms of membership shall commence on July 1st for the designated term until the member’s successor takes office. A full term is three years. In no event shall any member serve longer than three consecutive years, exclusive of the balance of any unexpired term initially assumed by an alternate or by special appointment. There shall be a minimum twelve‐month waiting period before any member who has served a full term can be eligible for reappointment to the ESAC.
The sole exception to the above terms of service shall apply when the ESAC is established. At the time of establishment, five members of the ESAC shall be appointed to one year terms commencing on July 1st of the year of ESAC establishment. The remaining five members will serve two year terms commencing on July 1st of the year of ESAC establishment.
In cases where the Committee determines it prudent to expand its membership, membership will be balanced such that a third of members will end their term each year.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility for membership on the ESAC is defined as all regular, full or part-time, exempt and non-exempt, non-faculty employees of the College with at least six months of service with the University.
The Human Resources Director shall be a non-voting, defacto member of the ESAC.
RESIGNATIONS
A member wishing to resign from the ESAC shall submit his/her resignation in writing or by email to the Chair. Defacto resignations may also occur per the provisions of the Section on Removals.
REMOVALS
Each member of the ESAC shall express a willingness to serve in terms of time and commitment. A member of the ESAC may be removed from membership for any of the following:
- Three unexcused absences from ESAC meetings between July 1 and June 30 of the following year (one year period) shall constitute resignation from the ESAC.
- Attendance at Subcommittee meetings is also important. Three non-University recognized absences from assigned Subcommittee meetings during the same period noted above shall constitute resignation from the ESAC.
- Other causes as determined by the full ESAC whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the College would be served by removal.
Time away on approved University leave is not considered to be an unexcused absence.
FILLING OF VACANCIES
In the event that the Chair vacates his/her position, their designee will assume the duties of the Chair.
The Chair will activate one of the following procedures to fill any vacant positions:
- Recommend a runners-up candidate from the most recent membership selection cycle.
- Recommend a former member who has served a full term and been off the ESAC for at least twelve months. Such a recommendation must be approved by the ESAC.
Those filling vacant positions will have the following term options:
- Complete a full term (two years) starting from July 1 of the year they join ESAC.
- Complete the term of the member whose position they have taken over.
MEMBERSHIP SELECTION
The membership of the ESAC shall be selected by a Membership Selection Board.
- The Membership Selection Board will consist of the ESAC Chair and no less than three current members.
- The annual application process will begin in March of each year. A written application must be filed with the Membership Selection Board by April 30th.
- The Membership Selection Board will screen and review all applications and will submit to the ESAC by the second Friday of May one nominee for each ESAC position to be vacated on June 30th of that year. Five (5) alternates will also be submitted to constitute a runners-up list to remain in place until the next selection process occurs.
- All nominees and alternates must be approved by the full ESAC. The approval process should be completed by the third Friday of May and new members notified by June 1st.
- The new member’s terms will commence on July 1st.
CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR
The Officers of the ESAC shall be a Chair and Vice Chair. No ESAC member may hold both positions simultaneously.
Chair and Vice Chair Selection
ESAC members may volunteer or be nominated (by any other ESAC member) for the position of Chair. Officers shall be approved by the ESAC during the regular meeting immediately preceding the expiration date of the current Offices term. The position of Vice Chair will be appointed by the newly elected Chair.
Officers' Terms
Officers shall serve the following: The Chair and Vice Chair will serve up to a maximum of two-6 month terms.
Duties of the Chair
- The Chair or Vice Chair shall preside at all meetings of the ESAC.
- The Chair shall be a voting member of the ESAC.
- The Chair will be the spokesperson for the ESAC in any official matters.
- The Chair will be the official link with any other University committees or will make an appointment to represent the ESAC on that committee or at the meeting.
- The Chair and Vice Chair will provide leadership to the ESAC.
- The Chair of the ESAC shall be an ex‐officio member of all subcommittees and will act as a liaison among the subcommittees.
- The Chair shall appoint a designee in the event that they cannot serve.
Duties of the Secretary
A Secretary will be appointed at the beginning of each meeting. The Secretary will be responsible for recording the minutes of all regular and special ESAC meetings, providing them to the Chair for circulation, submitting them for approval at the next full ESAC meeting and posting in BuckeyeBox and/or u.osu.edu as appropriate.
MEETINGS
Frequency
The ESAC will meet once monthly based on all members availability. Each meeting will be a maximum of two hours in length. Supervisors will arrange for employee representatives to be away from their work in order to attend these meetings and to participate in ESAC activities.
Subcommittees will meet as necessary, apart from the general ESAC meetings.
Agenda
The agenda for any meeting shall include the announcements, Subcommittee reports, unfinished business, new business, discussion with the Dean and next meeting items. Following selection of a new Chair, the next regular ESAC meeting will also include agenda items for transfer of chairmanship and approval of the ESAC meeting schedule.
Any member may request that an item be placed on the agenda under new business by contacting the Chair prior to the meeting. The Chair will determine the appropriateness of the item for the scope of the ESAC and provide response to the representative submitting the item.
ESAC will strive to be a consensus driven organization. Members are asked to recognize that silence is tacit agreement. ESAC will endeavor to discuss issues until at least a minimum 70:30 distribution of opinion has been achieved.
Attendance
In the event that a member is unable to attend any regular meeting, he/she shall notify the Chair 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Members may be removed from ESAC in the event of three unexcused absences from full ESAC meetings or Subcommittee meetings.
SUBCOMMITTEES
Formation
Subcommittees shall be formed by approval of the ESAC. A motion may be brought forward at any meeting to form a Subcommittee.
Disbandment
Subcommittees may be disbanded by approval of the ESAC. A member shall bring forth a motion for a Subcommittee to disband.
Membership
Subcommittees shall be composed of at least three (3) members of ESAC. Participation on Subcommittees may be open to all staff at the discretion of the Subcommittee.
Officers
The basic officer of the Subcommittee shall be the Chair. The Chair may appoint other Subcommittee officers at his/her discretion.
Attendance
In the event a member is unable to attend any regular or special Subcommittee meeting, they shall notify the Chair of that Subcommittee.
Role of Subcommittee Chair
- Submit reports to full ESAC on any and all progress.
- Monitor attendance/participation of members ‐ report to Chair, if necessary.
- Plan and conduct Subcommittee meetings.
- Provide a debriefing to incoming Chair in order to assure continuity for the Subcommittee.
AMENDMENT OF THE STANDING RULES
These Standing Rules may be amended at any regular meeting of the ESAC. Proposed amendments must be distributed to full the ESAC in draft form no later than three working days prior to the meeting at which the proposal will first be discussed.
VERSION
July 8, 2015
Events
ESAC Staff Appreciation Luncheon
Details to come.
Family Lunch and Learn: Winter Holidays
Details to come.
Families are invited to tune in for stories and hands on activities/crafts to learn about some winter holidays including Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice and Christmas Around the World.
You are invited to participate in a few crafts during the event. If you wish to participate, please have the following items on hand:
- Hershey kiss, small pretzel stick, marshmallow, small amount of frosting (used for glue)
- Square sheet(s) of paper, scissors
- A piece of construction paper, crayons (red, black, green, brown, yellow)
Workday and HR Service Delivery Forum
Details to come.
ESAC invites you to attend this information session led by College of Engineering leadership to learn more about Workday and HR Service Delivery. Have your questions answered about how these initiatives impact you
Submit your questions beforehand through this survey
Coping with Change in the Workplace
Details to come.
We invite you to spend your morning with Jodie Leister LPCC-S, CEAP from the Ohio State Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Join the EAP for a 60 minute presentation on Coping with Change in the Workplace. Learn the difference between change and transition. Increase your opportunities to thrive during change. Learn coping skills to assist you in managing your response to change. We will focus on learning ways to cope with change in the work place by transforming our thinking in how we approach transitions and identifying exceptions and strategies for accepting and managing our experience
Fostering Inclusive Organizations Workshop
Details to come.
Through videos, activities and group discussions, the OSU Multicultural Center (MCC) will explore the ways in which organizations and members can work to be more inclusive. It will cover social identity, safe space vs. brave space and tips for becoming a more inclusive organization.
This training counts towards the Inclusive Excellence Certificate. Please click here to learn more about the certificate program and how to log your points.
Professional Development Grants
ESAC, in partnership with College of Engineering (CoE) leadership, are offering Professional Development Grants to provide staff with an opportunity to further their growth and development. Individuals can apply for up to $1,000 in funding for professional development activities. Examples of eligible grant support include (but are not limited to) expenses for participation in seminars, workshops, conferences, training programs/meetings (including travel expenses and registration fees), online workshops/webinars, tuition costs for certifications, courses related to the area of professional development and equipment that broadens skills or advances career aspirations.
In order to receive a Professional Development Grant, eligible staff will need to submit a completed application by the deadline in accordance with the application guidelines. ESAC accepts Professional Development Grant Applications twice a year in January and July. Decisions will be sent out one month after the deadline has passed. Please review the information below prior to applying to make sure your proposed activity/material/equipment meets the criteria.
Eligibility
-
All regular or term (.50-1.00 FTE) staff members in the College of Engineering who have been employed within the College for at least one year are eligible to apply. Those with temporary appointments are not eligible for this opportunity.
- Eligible staff members can receive the grant once per academic year; priority is given to first-time applicants.
- Grant applications for less than $300 will not require cost share from the home department. For grant applications in excess of $300, a minimum of $100 of support from the home unit (department or college) is required to be eligible for a grant. Excess cost share will be considered favorably during the grant application review.
- Proposals for professional/career activities that have taken place prior to the application deadline, equipment required by your current position and/or professional development to address skills required in your current position will not be considered.
Application Process/Deadlines
- Access the application PDF (this link opens in a new window).
- Completed applications must include:
- A proposal (maximum of 1 page) that describes how the proposed activity/materials/equipment will benefit your career, your unit and the College.
- An itemized list of expenses relating to this proposal, including supporting documentation of budget items. If additional funding will come from university-level staff grants, outside granting opportunities and/or from personal funds, please indicate that as part of the total budget
- A letter of support from the applicants chair/director/dean that includes:
- A statement of support for the proposal
- An indication that the allotted time to complete the activity/program will be considered university time if the activity proposed takes place during university time [Note: the amount of university time will be up to the discretion of the chair/director/dean]
- A commitment of a minimum $100 in unit funds (for grant applications in excess of $300).
- Submit your application during our January application season if your professional development opportunity occurs between March and October.
- Submit your application during our July application season if your professional development opportunity occurs between September and April.
Review Process
- Each application will be reviewed by a minimum of three ESAC members with final approval from the larger ESAC committee at the monthly ESAC meeting using this rubric (this link opens in a new window). Decisions will be sent out a month after each deadline has passed.
- Should ESAC be unable to have a general meeting during that month, the Director of Human Resources for the College of Engineering will award final approval.
- Current ESAC members are not eligible to apply for grants during their term.
- ESAC members who have a direct relationship with an applicant will recuse themselves form reviewing that applicant’s submission.
Award Reimbursement
- If you are awarded a Professional Development Grant, you will be notified the amount awarded by email. Keep in mind, this grant is only for the opportunity listed in your application.
- This amount is reimbursed after your opportunity is completed. After your opportunity has been purchased or trip completed, send all documentation to eng-esac@osu.edu.
- Documentation needed includes:
- Approved eTravel and/or eRequest documentation
- Receipt(s) showing proof of payment
- Department chartfield to be reimbursed
- 91 report showing the charge has been processed on your dept. chartfield
- Please work with your area fiscal contact or Business Manager to obtain these items.
Resources
ESAC Resources
- Dec 16th ESAC Forum
Community
- Anti Racism Resources
- Kirwan Institute For The Study Of Race And Ethnicity
- Office of Student Life Multicultural Center
- COE Diversity, Outreach & Inclusion
- ASFW (Association of Staff and Faculty Women)
- The Women's Place at The Ohio State University
- Diversity Calendar
Human Resources
Professional Development
- COE Inclusive Excellence Certificate
- BuckeyeLearn - university-wide online tool that provides greater access to professional learning and training.
- Scarlet Canvas
- Gateway To Learning
- Safari O’Reilly – thousands of books and courses available online
- MAPS Program
- Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement (DICE) Certificate
- REACH Training
Wellness
- Your Plan For Health (YP4H)
- Ohio State Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA)
- Wellness Programming
- Health Coaching
- Wellness Room- 18th Avenue Library
- Ohio State Integrative Medicine
- Strategies to Stay Strong & Active
Staff COVID-19 Resources
- Stay up to date through the COE Intranet
Wellness Resources:
Working From Home:
Returning to Work
Staff Awards
Congratulations to the 2021 Above and Beyond Award winners!
Outstanding Service Award - Bryce Steel, Engineering Technology Services Infrastructure
"Bryce is an integral part of the Engineering Technology Services Infrastructure team. During COVID, the entire Infrastructure team has had to pivot to enable shifting remote work demands and make specialty allowances for scenarios that just didn't exist outside of a pandemic. Bryce was instrumental in helping to set up necessary policies and groups to make the work from home transition as smooth as possible for the College of Engineering."
Exemplary Support or Advancement of Research Award - Peggy Grgich, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
"Peggy plays a significant role in the smooth operation of MAE research activities given that she is the primary contact for purchasing needs, procurement policy and research expenditure through personnel appointments. Her experience has allowed her to establish valuable relationships with MAE faculty, staff and students and colleagues at the COE and University level. From a MAE faculty member “Peggy has been tremendous support to my lab's research and consistently a pleasure to work with. She always goes the extra mile to help solve problems. Peggy has definitely made a strong positive impact on our research efforts and the working environment for my group.”
Outstanding Service to Students Award - Nick Breckenridge, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
"Nick is totally committed to serving the graduate students of this department and he invests considerable creative genius to constantly invent ways to serve them better and improve their experience in MAE. Nick is responsible for over 300 graduate students in 3 degree programs – the majority of which are international students. Nick is keenly aware of his responsibility to serve them – and has a free-flowing open-door policy that means he is always available to answer questions, provide guidance and hear concerns or complaints. Because of his genuine interest in their well-being, students naturally gravitate to him to consult about concerns or issues in their program. Many a potentially catastrophic advising situation has been defused by his early detection of issues before they reach the critical stage."
Superior Safety Award - Ken Kushner, Materials Science and Engineering
"Ken's over thirty years of service encompass COE's facilities. His mentorship, guidance and extensive knowledge of current and potential risk are invaluable from everything ranging from construction to office PPE. His quality of service is inspiring. It is a bar other staff aspire to reach. If anything, Ken is the blueprint for the safety mission. His superlative service, the way he advises other staff on potential risk and ensures the safety of everyone is beyond is a personification of the safety mission."
Inclusive Excellence Award - Courtney Ross, Advancement
"Courtney provides significant leadership across our organization, focused on excellence in advancing the College of Engineering's mission regarding climate and culture. In addition to her formal development responsibilities with the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering (CEGE), Courtney supports Lisa Barclay and the office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). This work has resulted in increased philanthropic funding for DEI initiatives, including an Engineering Diversity Scholarship with Honda. Courtney is always one of the first to volunteer for additional committee work and leadership opportunities, both formal and informal."
Exemplary Team Performance Award - MAE Machine Shop Chad Bivens, Kevin Wolf, Aaron Orsborn
"The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Machine Shop Staff have gone above and beyond during the last year to tackle the challenges faced by the MAE Department, the College of Engineering and even the entire University during the COVID-19 pandemic. These staff members played an instrumental role in supporting the effort to fabricate PPE when there was a shortage. The overall effort ended up producing several thousand face shields that went directly to frontline healthcare staff at OSU. In addition, OSU COE was able to provide around one thousand face shields to Columbus Public Health.
The Machine Shop Staff also made a tremendous effort to allow the hands on design course ME 2900 to run safely and effectively in person while satisfying COVID-related guidelines and restrictions."
There were many excellent nominations this year that showcase the talent throughout the College of Engineering
- Outstanding Service Award Nominations: Katy Arenschield, Megan Doolin, Dale Gelter, Caitlin Mashhadian, Alex McSurley, Shannon Morrison, Thuy Nguyen, Kristina Renner, Ann Sanders
- Outstanding Service to Students Award Nominations: Megan Doolin
- Inclusive Excellence Award nominations: Lisa Barclay
- Exemplary Team Performance Award Nominations: Engineering Research Administration Finance/HR, Engineering Technology Services Infrastructure Team
Congratulations to the 2020 Above and Beyond Award winners!
Exemplary Support or Advancement of Research - Amy Dudley, Engineering Sponsored Programs Services
"As one of the founding members of ESPS, Amy has been continuously providing superior support to college research endeavors for over 20 years, both as a SPO for her assigned departments and units and as the director of ESPS for the last few years. She successfully collaborates with other research departments, staying up-to-date on new research and/or process/procedural changes. She is a strong communicator and makes sure to share all research information with her staff, as well as take the time to answer any questions. She supports her staff and is willing to step in to help if something complex or unique comes up. Amy enables the team’s superior support to college research activity through her ability to encourage and empower each team member in charting their own journey of supporting their assigned constituencies."
Outstanding Service to Students - Melanie Senitko, Biomedical Engineering
"Melanie has been the Graduate Studies Coordinator at OSU Biomedical Engineering for over 20 years. She is a tremendous asset to the department and has been instrumental to the growth of our graduate program in the last decade. Melanie has an unwavering commitment to serving students and promoting their professional and personal well-being. Her knowledge and experience with graduate studies at OSU are indispensable for the success of our students and faculty alike. Melanie is resourceful in problem solving and effective in communication. She is always thoughtful and goes above and beyond to help students and faculty understand and navigate the ever-changing landscape of graduate studies."
Outstanding Service - Michelle Diefenbach, ElectroScience Lab
"Michelle is an extremely valuable asset for the ElectroScience Laboratory and the College of Engineering in general. Michelle supports all activities required of the Director and Associate Director and she facilitates day-to-day operations within ESL. She is the “hub” of ESL, the go-to person if anyone needs information about the Lab, the College, or the University. She is a highly professional, highly skilled administrator who knows everything that is going on at all levels of the lab, from operations staff, to student recruitment, to faculty research, to lab administration."
Exemplary Team Performance or Service - Exemplary Team Performance Award: The OSU Flight Education Leadership Team; Brandon Mann, Joe Schwerdtfeger, Candi Roby, Heather Backus, Kate Savard and Josh Maihle
"The Ohio State University Airport Flight Education Leadership team over the last year has demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the College of Engineering by being the glue to hold the program together. Jointly, the team's major focus is the center for development and delivery of career, technical, community, workforce and continuing education programs. Their significant contribution has been moving the flight operations (one aircraft departure or landing) from approximately 75,000 to 115,000 per year."
We want to recognize all those nominated for an award. There were many excellent nominations this year that showcase the talent throughout the College of Engineering
- Outstanding Service Nominations: Jennifer McLendon, Kirsten Gibbons, Bob Rhoads, Brook Rome, Sarah Vanadia
- Exemplary Support or Advancement of Research Nominations: Jim Ball
- Outstanding Service to Students Nominations: Ana Casado, Rachel Kaschner
- Exemplary Team Performance Nominations: EED Lab Supervisor Team, ERA Fiscal/HR Team
Congratulations to the 2019 Above and Beyond Award winners!

Outstanding Service to Students – Brian Endres, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
“Our students love Brian. He is an advisor whom students regard highly and trust. He has worked through a great many difficult and sensitive cases involving students - some involving real tragedies and even some legal issues
- and has always handled these situations with consummate skill, compassion and professionalism. Since joining the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in 2008, Brian has proven himself time and time again to be a highly knowledgeable advisor with valuable insights and guidance for the undergraduate students he advises.”
Exemplary Support or Advancement of Research – Chris Strasbaugh, Knowlton School of Architecture
“Mr. Strasbaugh demonstrates superior support of research activities through his independently-initiated programs that support and expand the Knowlton School of Architecture’s capacity to experiment with planning and design technologies. These contributions make him a highly valued staff member from the perspective of advancing research. Further, his contributions have been the result of his own enthusiasm and motivation to expand his service beyond the immediate confines of his base responsibilities and innovate new approaches to succeed in his position and contribute to the success of KSA.”

Outstanding Service – Wenda Williamson, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
“Wenda is an exemplary staff member who has taken the department to a new level of interaction with our alumni and friends, which reflects positively on the College of Engineering at large. She has powerfully strengthened our presence and level of engagement with alumni, donors and key constituents such as peer department chairs. To say that Wenda literally transformed our communications program and vastly improved our interactions with alumni is not an understatement. Her messages often yield personal responses from alumni and she keeps in touch with them. These positive interactions carry over into how people view the College and University at large.”
Inclusive Excellence Award – Ashley Strong, Engineering Career Services
“Within ECS, Ashley is the "go to" advisor for specific populations we serve, including students with disabilities, STEP students and minority engineering students. She has also created guides and web content for DACA students. Her collaborative efforts with other units include activities such as serving as ECS’ Office of Disability Services liaison and creating and facilitating a webinar to address disclosure concerns for students with disabilities. She’s also worked with the Minority Engineering Program to create programming for women navigating a male dominated workforce and coordinated other career programming for student groups like SHPE, NSBE and SWE. Her efforts to broaden inclusivity are not limited to student programs either, last year she served on the Buckeye LGBTQ Engineering Advisory Committee. Ashley’s bridge building efforts with regards to diversity and inclusion initiatives are apparent, as she 'walks the walk' and does not just 'talk the talk.' ”
Exemplary Team Performance or Service – ETS Client Services Team: David Brown, Tammy Cimorell, Gustav Lindamood, Gerald Heskett, Geoff Hulse, Tom Knowles, Eric McKinniss, Justin Mengon and Nicholas Rosen
“ETS provides outstanding service. Whenever I have had an issue they respond quickly to resolve in person, over the phone, or remotely. When a service issue requires more than one area of expertise they work together to resolve it. The ETS team is wonderful and I enjoy all my interactions with them. They have gone above and beyond on several occasions and I cannot thank them enough! As a first point of contact, they solve many issues themselves and are the bridge to other resources and expertise when needed.”
Congratulations to the 2018 Above and Beyond Award winners!
Mary Leist and David Tomasko Outstanding Service to Students – Mary Leist, Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering

“Mary creates an atmosphere that encourages us to try new things and find new and innovative ways to support our students. She challenges us to create meaningful interactions and strives to make everything that we do intentional and in the best interests of our students. She has maintained her license as a counselor, which has been an invaluable resource for helping distressed students. There have been many times in which her entire day has been thrown off because she has given extra time to students who are in need. In every action Mary takes, she considers the student perspective and needs. She actively participates on our undergraduate studies committee and graduate students committee where she advocates for curriculum and policy improvements that will have a positive impact on our undergraduate and graduate students. Mary also holds the students accountable for their actions. In a way, she plays an active and important role in preparing them for their future careers and academic pursuits where they will be required to be far more independent.”
Exemplary Support or Advancement of Research – Mark Andrews, ElectroScience Laboratory

Mark Andrews and Scott Osborne
“Mark supports large experiments, lasting several weeks, where he must travel and manage research efforts on-site. Most recently, he spent several weeks in desolate areas of northern Canada and Greenland. This required personal commitment and he was solely in charge of making these experiments successful, which shows both professionalism and leadership. In preparation for these experiments, Mark dedicated himself and his time to making sure everything was read and he worked above and beyond normal job expectation to make this a success.”
Outstanding Service – Ryan Horns, Electrical and Computer Engineering

“Since Ryan was hired, he has increased the level of exposure of research, events, people and honors within our department by using various avenues such as videos, social media, print, its website and continues to step outside of his comfort zone to enhance his knowledge base of more ways to bring ECE into the public eye. In addition, coming to us as a journalist, Ryan has been able to engage a wide and varied audience by writing stories in a way that is both informative and entertaining. Ryan loves what he does and it is obvious. He attends numerous ECE functions, both on and off campus and is always at the ready to capture the scene or interview someone who peaks his interest. We have collaborated on numerous events together and he is an absolute pleasure to work with. Always professional, personable and fun to be around, Ryan gives 110% in everything he does and the department is infinitely better for his efforts.”
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion – Dr. Shannon Morrison, Center for Aviation Studies

“This past fall she put together a proposal for and planned a College of Engineering Distinguished Lecture that hosted Captain Barrington Irving. Irving was the youngest and first African American to fly around the world. In addition to the lecture, there was a panel discussion that included a Latina Captain from JetBlue Airways, the son of a Tuskegee Airmen, and the Executive Director of the National Gay Pilots Association. Panelists answered questions from the audience about how to create and sustain a more diverse and inclusive aviation workplace climate. In addition to the lecture series, Dr. Morrison created a course for Aviation students titled ‘Building a Diverse Workforce in Aviation’, which introduces students to concepts around diversity and inclusion as it relates to the aviation industry.”
Exemplary Team Performance or Service – Knowlton Student Services: Angela Beer, Jessica Baer-Graves, Christine Meadows, and Jacquelyn Monnin
“The work of the Knowlton School Student Services Team supports the college’s mission and strategic plan and should be commended. Their efforts help move Knowlton’s programs further along the path to being some of the best, certainly within the state, but also nationally. They are tireless advocates for the student experience. Though they are a small team, they are mighty and their roles cover a wide range of responsibilities. The team has worked very hard to increased gender equity in the school’s program as well as to increase the number of underrepresented minority students. As the student services team often points out, it is not simply enough to increase numbers of females or minority students, supporting students as they navigate Ohio State and demanding majors like those in Knowlton requires another level of attention which the team does their best to provide to students on an individual basis.”
2017 Above and Beyond Award winners
Donald Hempson and David Tomasko, Outstanding Service to Students - Donald Hempson, Undergraduate Education/Student Services

Donald Hempson and David Tomasko
"His flexibility and support have allowed faculty in the Knowlton School to really innovate with their travel programs. His work supports the College of Engineering's goal of preparing students to work in a global workforce. So many times, Don has gone the extra mile, putting together documents for an international program, ensuring that the systems in place allow for funds to be targeting to travel programs, thinking strategically about program transitions and being an advocate for the College's continued financial support so that all students can have a travel abroad experience."
Exemplary Support or Advancement of Research - Mark Brenner, Electrical and Computer Engineering

"Mark Brenner is a staff member of superlative impact, superb skill and unusual level of service and dedication. He is in charge of one of Ohio State's most sophisticated facility centers, he is key for strategic faculty recruitment due to the interdisciplinary importance of his lab, he trains and supports students and researchers from multiple departments and he is an essential interface between faculty, students, external vendors and internal support units. Mark Brenner is truly an "above and beyond" member of the COE staff. Without Mark here, we would not have been successful at recruiting the quality of faculty members that we have been able to nor would those faculty members have been able to grow their programs so successfully."
Outstanding Service - Amy Thaci, Engineering Career Services

"Amy Thaci is one of the most passionate career services leaders I have had the pleasure of working with. I always appreciated her tenacity and willingness to stand up for her team when facing challenges. Amy strives to provide excellent customer service to both students and employers and is a great collaborator with other offices in an effort to ensure a streamlined career services experience."
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion - Lisa Abrams, Department of Engineering Education

"For several years, Lisa has engaged undergraduate male engineering students in the College in a course where they learn how to become allies for women engineering students. Each semester, Lisa devotes her time to students' engagement in conversations about topics such as macroaggressions and gender inequities. This novel course complements many of the efforts within the College related to diversity and inclusion and has the potential to enhance the culture of the College."
Exemplary Team Performance or Service - College of Engineering Academic Advising: Amanda Crall, Mike Knisley, Liz Rite, Rachel Tuttle and Rachel LeMaster
Mike Knisley, Amanda Crall, Rachel LeMaster, Rachel Tuttle, Liz Riter and La'Tonia Stiner-Jones
"The members of the College of Engineering Advising Office have proven to be the most reliable, invested and trusted academic partners within the college. They continuously seek out opportunities to identify and solve problems, enrich programs and create opportunity for our educational community to thrive."