The following message was sent to all Ohio State students on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
Notes from a Fellow Buckeye
Dear Colleagues,
Fall is a time for tradition, reflection and gratitude. As we move deeper into the autumn semester, I am thrilled by the continuous success and excellence reflected in all of you!
We are keenly focused on creating a welcoming, supporting environment. Being an inclusive community is a core value and goal of our institution.
This week, The Ohio State University and the Wexner Medical Center were honored with the Ohio Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award for our commitment to individuals with disabilities in the workplace and being leaders of diversity and inclusion best practices in Ohio. It was a great privilege Monday to be recognized for our inclusive workplace – from our recruitment and hiring practices, to supporting our faculty and staff with workplace accommodations and accessibility. I appreciate all of our faculty and staff members who work every day to make our university inclusive and welcoming for all.
INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine, the country’s oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, awarded its 2022 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award to five of our health sciences graduate programs. The colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Public Health and Veterinary Medicine were recognized for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. We are the only academic institution in the nation to have five colleges honored with this award.
University Staff Advisory Committee
Earlier this month, I greatly enjoyed time spent with the University Staff Advisory Committee (USAC). I appreciate all the committee does to represent staff and bring forward the needs of employees to help university leaders.
Feedback from USAC is extremely valuable as we create a work environment where everyone can thrive.
Celebrating success
Three of our university leaders were honored recently during the King Arts Complex’s 15th Annual Legends & Legacies Award Ceremony. Please join me in congratulating Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Melissa Gilliam, Senior Vice President for the Office of Student Life Dr. Melissa Shivers, and Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director Gene Smith. The annual award pays tribute to individuals who have shown a commitment to freedom through social justice, human rights, cultural democracy, artistic excellence and service.
Kudos to Dr. Ignacio Corona, associate professor of literatures and cultures of Latin America in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, who was awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad Fellowship by the U.S. Department of Education, International and Foreign Language Education office.
Dr. Tim Berra, an Academy Professor and Professor Emeritus of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, was honored recently with the 2022 friend of Darwin Award by the nonprofit National Center for Science Education (NCSE). The award recognizes his efforts to support NCSE and the teaching of evolution across the country.
Flexibility and accommodations
Our university’s Shared Values guide us to put people at the center of all that we do through care and compassion. As the middle of the semester approaches, events around the country and world — from natural disasters to senseless violence — have impacted many Buckeyes as well as their families and loved ones. Please remember to be flexible when you are able, especially when our students request accommodations due to unforeseen circumstances.
As always, any employee who needs assistance or emotional support is encouraged to reach out to the Employee Assistance Program. Faculty and staff can also find resources for helping students through the Counseling and Consultation Service office.
Go Buckeyes!
Sincerely yours,
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD
President
Dear Buckeyes,
Fall is a time for tradition, reflection and gratitude. As we move deeper into the autumn semester, I am thrilled by the continuous success and excellence reflected in all of you! I hope you had a restful fall break and feel rejuvenated as we approach the winter months.
Ohio State is keenly focused on creating a welcoming, supporting environment. Being an inclusive community is a core value and goal of our institution. This week, The Ohio State University and the Wexner Medical Center were recognized with the Ohio Governor’s Inclusive Employer Award for our commitment to individuals with disabilities in the workplace and being leaders of diversity and inclusion best practices in Ohio.
INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine, the country’s oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, awarded its 2022 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award to five of our health sciences graduate programs. The colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Public Health and Veterinary Medicine were recognized for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. We are the only academic institution in the nation to have five colleges honored with this award.
Celebrating success
Congratulations to Steven Prohira, a physicist and a former postdoctoral researcher at Ohio State, who was named a recipient of the 2022 MacArthur Fellowship, a prize often called the “genius grant.” It is awarded to people who show outstanding talent and exceptional creativity in their chosen field.
Julian Baldemira, a Department of Spanish and Portuguese doctoral student, was awarded the prestigious Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad fellowship by the U.S. Department of Education, International and Foreign Language Education office. He will conduct research for his dissertation in Brazil for six months examining the topic “Breaking Imperial Showcases: Indigenous Resistance in the Human Exhibitions of Nineteenth Century Brazil.”
Kudos to José Pérez, a doctoral student in the Department of Political Science, who was also awarded the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad. He will conduct research for his dissertation in Brazil for nine months examining the topic of “Refugee Resettlements and Social Integration: Security, Migration, and the State in Contemporary Brazil.”
Nationwide, across all disciplines, approximately 90 Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowships were awarded.
Flexibility and accommodations
Our university’s Shared Values guide us to put people at the center of all that we do through care and compassion. As the middle of the semester approaches, events around the country and world — from natural disasters to senseless violence — have impacted many Buckeyes and their loved ones. This is a good time to remember to please ask for help if unforeseen circumstances arise.
As always, any student who needs assistance or emotional support is encouraged to reach out to the Office of Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service. Students can also access the support and resources provided by the Student Wellness Center, the Student Advocacy Center, the Center for Belonging and Social Change and the Office of International Affairs.
Go Buckeyes!
Sincerely yours,
Kristina M. Johnson, PhD
President
- Safe and Healthy Buckeyes: Mental Health and Wellness
- The Ohio State: Wellness app is available for Android and iOS devices
- Human Resources Keep Well website
- Chief Wellness Officer Health and Wellness page
- Your Plan For Health
- Ways for faculty and staff to support students