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The highlight of our annual celebration is recognizing our outstanding faculty for excellence in teaching. Our faculty, whether they are in a tenured, tenure track or non-tenure track position, make a lasting impact on the students they teach. This spring, members of the National Alumni Board and the Distinguished Teaching Award Committee worked closely with the University Teaching Council, the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the Provost’s office to unify university processes around teaching awards. 

Beginning this year, 2025, the Distinguished Teaching Award and the Outstanding Teaching Award will be combined into a single honor called the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award. This newly envisioned award is supported by a single committee comprised of past DTA and OTA recipients, alumni, faculty, and students. The new award streamlines the nomination and selection processes and provides an opportunity to equally honor teaching by all faculty, regardless of their faculty appointment. 

The 2025 Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award Recipients are: 

Tracy M. Dodson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CEN

Tracy M. Dodson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CEN, is an associate professor in the College of Nursing on the Kent Campus, where she coordinates “Professional Issues and Evidence-based Practice” and “Nursing of Adults Across the Lifespan.” A Certified Emergency Nurse with more than a decade of clinical and teaching experience, Dodson blends innovation, empathy and evidence-based practice to prepare compassionate, competent nurses. She designs creative tools, including simulation rubrics and AI-generated case studies, to bridge theory and practice. Her award-winning teaching - honored with multiple Platinum Teaching Awards and the Daisy Faculty Award - emphasizes active learning, technological innovation and mentorship.

Jessica Leveto, Ph.D.

Jessica A. Leveto, Ph.D. is an associate professor of sociology at ����Vlog�ƽ�� at Ashtabula. A scholar of social psychology, identity and emotions, her teaching centers on relational trust, belonging and transformative learning. Leveto has been recognized with multiple awards for innovation and equity in education and serves on the editorial board of Teaching Sociology. Her research and public scholarship focus on supporting parenting students, fostering inclusive learning environments and advancing pedagogies of care. Through her teaching, mentorship and community leadership, she empowers students to transform challenge into purpose and connection into lasting impact.

Tina Patel, MA, MFA

Tina Patel, MA, MFA, is an associate professor of interior design in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design on the Kent Campus. Her teaching, research and scholarship focus on empathetic, participatory and socially engaged design that advances equity, inclusion and well-being. With professional experience in global design firms and extensive community-based collaborations, Patel bridges research, practice and pedagogy. Her studios address issues such as neurodiversity, social justice and sensory well-being, empowering students to use design as a catalyst for change. A certified NCIDQ and LEED Green Associate, she integrates empathy, critical inquiry and activism into design education and professional practice.

James Redfearn, Ph.D.

James Redfearn, Ph.D., is an associate professor of biological sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences on the Kent Campus, where he teaches anatomy, physiology, microbiology and cell biology. With a Ph.D. in physiology, his teaching emphasizes active learning, metacognition and belonging to improve student engagement and performance. Drawing from his research in cellular physiology and experience in biosafety and public health, Redfearn designs evidence-based, technology-integrated learning environments. His approach blends concept mapping and formative assessment to help students build confidence, think critically and connect biological concepts to clinical applications. He is committed to fostering inclusive, student-centered learning in the life sciences.

Congratulation to the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award Finalists

Hayley Arnold, Ph.D.

Samantha Bonaduce, DNP, RN, CNE

Jean Engohang-Ndong, Ph.D.

Matthew Holm, DMA

Susan Kunkle, Ph.D.

James Winter, MFA