2024 Dean's Recognition Awards

Nomination:  Taryn is kind and accepts new ideas from all students. She tries to take everybody’s concerns into account and tries to find a solution for them. She always makes the students feel included and tries to create fun and exciting things for the students to get involved in. Taryn tries to advocate for not just the social work students but the entire student body as a whole as well. She is a great leader and has a strong work ethic. Taryn is creating new fundraiser ideas for the SWSA and making sure that all students can get involved.

Hometown: Zanesville, Ohio

About: My major is Social work with a minor in Psychology. My favorite part of being a part of the SWSA is being able to help students understand certain topics/situations that affect them that they might not have been aware of prior to me informing them. I love advocating for our students! 

Nomination:  I am thrilled to nominate Ryan for the Positional leadership award in recognition of his exceptional leadership qualities, unwavering dedication, and outstanding contributions to the Student Nursing Association (SNA). Ryan's impactful presence as the club's president for the past two years and his three-year commitment to the organization make him a standout candidate for this esteemed award.

Nomination:  I am pleased to provide insight into why Halley is truly an unsung hero within our Student Nursing Association (SNA). Halley's exceptional contributions and qualities have not only enriched our organization but have also gone largely unrecognized, making her a true unsung hero.

Hometown:  Coral Grove, Ohio

My favorite part of being in the Student Nurses Association is being able to help make a difference in the community while also creating strong friendships and relationships throughout our campus and the community alike. Through this organization we have been able to help people from all walks of life and that is something that I am so proud of. I am also so grateful for the friendships that I have made and the ones that have grown stronger through this association. We have been able to get a feel for our community and the needs within. Our eyes have been opened to the potential issues that we may have to see when we are nurses and all in all I believe that being in this association and working within the community will help us all to be better nurses in the future. I am so grateful to be part of such an amazing student organization. 

Nomination: This organization advocates for not only the social work program students but the student body as a whole. They are making sure that students receive maximum benefits and that the students know of said benefits. Always trying to come up with ideas for students to receive needed services and help them understand that there are services that can cater to any need they have that needs met. This organization is fun and inviting. 

Nomination:  Because this program inspires future social workers to understand the community and the needs of their fellow members. 

Nomination: SWSA (OUZ) has contributed to the following; Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, Christ's Table volunteering, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Self Care bags for students to take home and make. Students have participated in the homeless count of Zanesville, Students also go to Advocacy Day in Columbus, Ohio to speak with our legislatures and advocate for change within our communities. 

Nomination: Pre-PT Club has been able to impact the Community of My Sisters Place (local domestic violence shelter) over the past few months tremendously. This club has been able to make cut and tie blankets, create self-love cards, and next plan to collect canned goods and hygiene products for the members of My Sisters Place. This shelter deserves support from the local community to help its members get back on their feet and regain their identity, and we are so overjoyed that Pre-PT Club can be a part of it.

Hometown: Murrieta, California

Future Plans: Sport Scientist specializing in Baseball performance and injury risk reduction

Nomination:  I started the same time as Emily and she has truly been a light through a very dark tunnel. She’s always got a smile on her face and never fails to brighten my day. We hold regular study sessions and she plans and organizes everything for us. She makes me feel a part of something bigger.

Hometown: Pulaski, New York

Future Plans: I hope to maybe travel a bit and nurse around the country after I graduate then settle down and get my nurse practitioner degree before opening up my own esthetics clinic! 

Nomination: Professor Johnston put in so much thoughtful effort to build this group of students into a real, bonded, successful community. In his first year teaching UC 1900, Professor Johnston took the time to ensure students felt comfortable, supported and encouraged. He allowed them space and time to form relationships, and focused on the small things that help first-year students be successful--for example, having class at a coffee shop to help students feel relaxed and disarmed. He encouraged participation and made all the students feel welcome. He also helped students learn about Social Work and get excited about the profession! Professor Johnston's learning community is a perfect example of what all learning communities should strive to achieve.

Nomination:  Dr. Vensil is an amazing professor. If a student is struggling, she will do everything to help them understand the content. If students have questions, she allows the class to delve into a discussion to comprehend the topics more easily. Dr. Vensil is also a shoulder to lean on. You can go to her with anything, and she will give you the best advice she can professionally. She truly loves and cares about each of her students and their education.

Nomination:  Dr. Vensil has taught me so many transferable skills that I will take with me into the workforce when I graduate. She not only cares about my academic performance, but she also cares about my professional and personal development as well. I will graduate with a Bachelor of social work degree in May, and I am honored to have her as part of my future professional cohort. 

Nomination:  Dr Vensil hears her students. She conducts her lectures in a way that stimulates our minds and encourages us to share our thoughts and opinions. These thoughts might contradict her own, but that doesn’t discourage her. She encourages us to teach her as much as she teaches us. I’ve had a lot of obstacles in my college career, and she has unknowingly gotten me through so much. She has taught me beyond the classroom. 

Nomination:  Dr Vensil is always greeting students and staff with a smile, with an upbeat happy personality. Dr Vensil makes a point to make herself available to her students when they need her help, offering solutions when able. Dr Vensil makes class enjoyable to be in and is very educated in her profession. Dr Vensil makes her classes easy to understand while providing excellent instruction. Dr Vensil takes pride in her work, and we know as students in the BSW program that she is our #1 cheerleader. 

Nomination:  This teacher makes sure all of her students are helped and given all the resources they need. She would go out of her way to contact students when a class is missed and reach out to see if we need any type of assistance or help to be successful in her classes. Hands down an amazing teacher and a great atmosphere to learn.

Nomination:  She made me feel more comfortable in her class. I transferred last semester, and she has been so helpful. She understood how awkward and stressful it can be being a new student. Like me, she has a love for Disney. She does what she can to help us understand the material. Dr. Vensil makes her lessons come alive in a way that intrigues us and not in a way that bores us. Many of us are excited to see what she is teaching us. She teaches in a fun manner. Also, she grades and responds to emails quickly. If something happened and we ever needed something, we knew we could go to her. She is honestly probably the best teacher I have ever had. 

Nomination:  She cares about her students and will make connections to them that will last a lifetime. She knows how to balance fun and learning in a way that makes all her students excited to learn. She is a role model of a person that I am inspired to be.