In recognition of their important and outstanding diversity and inclusion work, five honorees have received the Ohio State Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award.
Faculty, staff, students and alumni who further diversity with cutting-edge curriculum, mentorship, programs or policies can be nominated for the annual Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award. The award celebrates diversity efforts in areas such as race, religion, sexual orientation and economic status. Recipients are honored for exemplifying Ohio State’s core values and making diversity and inclusion part of the university’s best practices.
On April 27, President Drake presented the 2018 recipients a plaque and $1,200 cash award to recognize their extraordinary work. This year’s winners will also be honored on the field at Ohio Stadium during the September 22 Ohio State football game.
Congratulations to the 2018 Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award recipients:
Shannon McLoughlin Morrison, PhDCurriculum and Assessment Manager, Center for Aviation Studies, College of Engineering
In the Center for Aviation Studies (CAS) and the College of Engineering, Dr. Shannon Morrison has demonstrated a tireless commitment to introduce students to women and minorities in the aviation industry. In addition to serving as an advisor to the Women in Aviation student organization, she has authored a Diversity in Action Plan for CAS, led diversity initiatives as the CAS diversity and inclusion coordinator and taught a Diversity in Aviation course. Her efforts have significantly enhanced student understanding on the importance diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry.
Radhika PanditUndergraduate Student, Microbiology Major and Global Public Health Minor
As an undergraduate student, researcher and student leader, Radhika is recognized as a trailblazer for inclusion and human rights within healthcare and the Ohio State community. She is co-president of the Global Health Initiative and is an advocate for reproductive healthcare access for the local Somali community through her involvement with the Somali Women’s Health Research Project. She also tutors underrepresented student populations to help them succeed in chemistry. Radhika is known for her passion in advancing comprehensive and inclusive access to healthcare as well as fostering environments of acceptance and respect.
Paul Reitter, PhDProfessor, Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, College of Arts and Sciences
Known for his commitment to diversity and inclusion, Dr. Paul Reitter increases access and affordability to humanities education through his commitment to underrepresented populations. By creating the course Our Journeys, Our Selves (OJOS), he has provided parents of students in the Young Scholars Program the opportunity to take their very first college course free of charge. OJOS also provides access to higher education for women involved with human trafficking and solicitation. Dr. Reitter is also recognized for advancing diversity programming by collaborating with countless departments and organizations across Ohio State to further inclusion and exposure to diverse populations.
Student Pharmacist Association for Diversity & Equity (SPADE)College of Pharmacy
Through a commitment to an inclusive culture, the Student Pharmacist Association for Diversity & Equity (SPADE) has furthered diversity within the Ohio State College of Pharmacy and throughout central Ohio. With a continuous emphasis on inclusion, academic enrichment and enhancing patient care, SPADE has spearheaded Diversity Week, integrated diversity into the PharmD curriculum and furthered student diversity recruitment initiatives. SPADE is also heavily involved with service projects such as free clinics and health screenings, dedicated to helping underrepresented populations in the local community.
Cynthia Turner, PhDSenior Lecturer, Department of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Fisher College of Business
Dr. Cynthia Turner has inspired and mentored students from underrepresented populations to pursue their career goals in accounting and business. In the past year, the number of minority students admitted to the accounting program has tripled, thanks to her involvement with the Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP), an initiative that introduces minority high school students to accounting careers. Dr. Turner also spearheaded Project THRIVE to help underrepresented students succeed in business and accounting. Additionally, she has collaborated with Fisher College of Business faculty leadership to develop inclusive curriculum and programs to support inclusion throughout the college and increase minority student success.