Three OHIO faculty receive Regional Higher Education Outstanding Faculty Award

Three Ohio University regional higher education faculty members received awards in recognition of their outstanding performance. Gabriela Popa, associate professor of physics was selected as the 2023 Regional Higher Education Outstanding Tenure Track Faculty. Teri Peasely, assistant professor of instruction in early childhood education at OHIO Zanesville and Tracy Pritchard, professor of instruction in social work were selected as the 2023 Regional Higher Education Outstanding Instructional Faculty.

“We have recognized outstanding regional campus faculty since 2003, and this year’s awardees yet again demonstrated their commitment to teaching, scholarly activity, and service,” Vice Provost for Regional Higher Education McNeal stated, We are honored to work with such dedicated and talented faculty.”

The Regional Higher Education Outstanding Tenure Track Faculty and Outstanding Instructional Faculty Awards honors regional campus faculty who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship and service over the last three years.  

“Dr. Popa provides innovative and student-centered teaching that brings physics to life for her students and her multi-tiered approach to service demonstrates a strong commitment to her community, her profession, and to the university,” OHIO Zanesville committee members noted in their nomination. “She is an excellent campus citizen, a productive scholar, and an inspiring mentor to students.”

OHIO Eastern’s nominating committee noted that Pritchard is an active and engaged member of campus life and the social work community in the region. He works directly with different mental health agencies and continues to bring new programming opportunities to campus through his grant work that exhibits his commitment to scholarship, teaching and community engagement.

“Mr. Pritchard is well known for his teaching abilities, is committed to the social work program, as well as its students, and has been instrumental in bringing a CARE Team to campus,” committee members said.

In nominating Peasley for the award, OHIO Zanesville’s nominating committee indicated she is committed to serving the university, the students in the teacher education programs, and the community.

“Dr. Peasley continually seeks ways to support the personal and intellectual growth of our students through both teaching and service,” the nomination noted. “In each of her courses and in her supervision of field and internship experiences, she strives to serve as an effective model for her students, incorporating inquiry-based and diverse learning experiences in each of her courses. Her courses offer appropriate rigor, as well as opportunities that are meaningful and allow for them to build on their strengths and challenge them to engage in less familiar strategies.”