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College and Community Engagement

Featured Program – Wallace Grant Institute June 9-11 

The Leading for Student Success Summer Institute will take place at the Ohio Union on June 9 –11, 2025.  We will welcome over 200 Columbus City Schools administrators and operations staff to take part in this exciting professional development opportunity.  We will also welcome other ECPI districts to participate in the summer institute from across the country.  Nationally recognized speakers from across the country will speak and offer various keynotes and breakout sessions for attendees to choose from.   

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Professional Development for Education Leaders  

Fifteen education leaders representing seven Central Ohio school districts came together throughout the academic year to enhance their strategic leadership capabilities. Workshops on leadership, data analysis, education law, literacy and engagement, and wellness were well received by participants. The training series culminated with a networking dinner at a local restaurant.

Participant Feedback 

I found the information to be helpful- can use today and take back to others. 

I really appreciate the strategy of using neuroscience research and strategies as the basis for creating safe and inclusive learning environments. 

Schooled on Poetry Showcase 

The EDGE team attended the Schooled on Poetry Showcase, hosted by Peter Kahn and featuring student poets from area middle and high schools. Nationally renowned writers Hanif Abdurraqib and Kwame Alexander were also featured at the event. Drs. Noelle Arnold and Carlotta Penn were recently awarded a grant to continue working with Peter Kahn’s poetry program and Central Ohio schools.

EHE Legacies Series

An EHE Legacy is a current or former OSU/EHE community member whose contributions to the university and society are worthy of recognition. Since 1895, the College of Education and Human Ecology has played an important role in education at all levels and human development across the lifespan at The Ohio State University, the United States, and around the world. The EHE Legacies project started in Fall 2019 and was created to explore the rich legacies of people, experiences, and accomplishments that have helped shape the College of Education and Human Ecology. We believe that a legacy starts with the knowledge and appreciation of the contributions of those who came before, which establishes a strong foundation upon which to build and progress. 

In February 2025, as part of the EHE Legacy Project—honoring the rich legacy and ongoing impact of Black Buckeyes whose contributions continue to shape the College of Education and Human Ecology and beyond—the EDGE Office highlighted distinguished scholars whose work exemplifies leadership, excellence, and service in education: 

• Dr. Yolanda Stewart – A faculty member and alumna of The Ohio State University, Dr. Stewart serves as Equity Strategist for Columbus City Schools, where she champions equity-focused initiatives that transform educational systems. 

• Dr. Rhonda Childs – An alumna of the College of Education and Human Ecology and Principal at Linden Park Early Childhood Education Center (Columbus City Schools), Dr. Childs is a dedicated leader in early childhood education and community engagement. 

• Dr. Christopher Travers – Honored with the 2025 ACPA Coalition on Men and Masculinities Outstanding Research Award, Dr. Travers has also received several distinctions, including the 2019 Graduate Student Mentorship Award (North Carolina State University), the 2018 Graduate Student Impact Award, and the 2018 Larry K. Williamson, Jr. Service Award (Ohio State University). 

• Dr. Rosemary Phelps – A nationally respected scholar, Dr. Phelps is Professor of Counseling Psychology in the Department of Counseling and Human Development Services at the University of Georgia. Her work continues to influence the field of psychology, mentorship, and student development. 

We celebrate these remarkable leaders for their enduring commitment to excellence, education, and empowerment. Their stories inspire us to reflect on our collective legacy and continue the work of transformation. 

EDGE Bookshelf Recap

(The EDGE Bookshelf showcases the literary contributions of EHE faculty and staff whose work centers diversity, equity, anti-racism, and justice and includes recommended readings from featured faculty members. It is our hope that the Bookshelf serves as one resource through which we can learn from one another as we continue to grow as an anti-racist, inclusive, and equity-centered college community. 

In celebration of World Poetry Day on March 21, 2025, the EDGE Office spotlighted Peter Kahn, a distinguished poet and educator whose work is grounded in over thirty years of experience supporting youth in Chicago and London. To mark the occasion, the EDGE Office recommended: 

• Respect the Mic: Celebrating 20 Years of Poetry from a Chicagoland High School 
  Edited by Peter Kahn, Hanif Abdurraqib, Dan “Sully” Sullivan, and Franny Choi, this dynamic anthology showcases two decades of powerful youth poetry, reflecting the transformative power of creative expression in schools. 

Additionally, Peter Kahn personally recommended the following collections: 

• The Golden Shovel Anthology: New Poems Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks 
  (Edited by Peter Kahn, Ravi Shankar, and Patricia Smith) — A tribute to Gwendolyn Brooks through innovative poems that extend her legacy. 

• Lighthead by Terrance Hayes — The 2010 National Book Award winner for Poetry, this collection blends music, identity, and imagination in Hayes’s signature voice. 

Together, these works remind us of poetry’s enduring power to inspire, uplift, and transform lives. 

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EHE Legacies Recap

An EHE Legacy is a current or former OSU/EHE community member whose contributions to the university and society are worthy of recognition. Since 1895, the College of Education and Human Ecology has played an important role in education at all levels and human development across the lifespan at The Ohio State University, the United States, and around the world. The EHE Legacies project started in Fall 2019 and was created to explore the rich legacies of people, experiences, and accomplishments that have helped shape the College of Education and Human Ecology. We believe that a legacy starts with the knowledge and appreciation of the contributions of those who came before, which establishes a strong foundation upon which to build and progress.

Monthly Awareness Initiatives

In recognition of the International Day of Education, January 24, the EDGE Office was pleased to highlight graduate student perspectives on the role of education in peacebuilding. As part of this initiative, Filiz Oskay interviewed PhD candidates Jamie Herman (Educational Studies – Philosophy and History of Education) and Onur Ozkaynak (Teaching and Learning – Bilingual and Multilingual Education) to explore how education can serve as a catalyst for peace and social transformation. 

We thank both contributors for sharing their thoughtful reflections and for advancing the conversation on education’s role in building a more just and peaceful world. 

Celebrating National Compliment Day 2025 

In February, in celebration of National Compliment Day, the Office of Engagement, Discovery, and Global Education (EDGE) invited the EHE community to share kind words to brighten someone’s day. Faculty, staff, and students were encouraged to leave messages of appreciation to recognize the everyday contributions of those around them. 

To support this initiative, EDGE set up free standing display boards in the main EHE buildings where community members could post their messages. These boards quickly filled with uplifting notes, offering expressions of gratitude, encouragement, and joy. They served as daily reminders of the importance of kindness and connection within our academic community.

World Poetry Day

To honor World Poetry Day (March, 2025) and International Book Giving Day (February,2025), the EDGE Office invited our community to share poems or lines that resonate with them through a short survey. In celebration of both reflection and giving, we selected five participants to receive a copy of Respect the Mic: Celebrating 20 Years of Poetry from a Chicagoland High School, edited by Peter Kahn Hanif Abdurraqib, Dan “Sully” Sullivan, and Franny Choi. 

Your responses were moving and thoughtful. Here are a few of the reflections that inspired us: 

“In the spoken word version, you feel for a few moments what it is like to suffer from OCD and agonize alongside him.” — Alison Workman on OCD by Neil Hilborn 

“It is a deeply spiritual poem about our connection to the Earth, and in this case, a particular stone.” — Darlene Velez on Tergvinder’s Stone by W. S. Merwin 

“The imagery is so vivid that I can feel the ferocity of her love.” — Kate Nelson on Emily as a Smile Would Have Ruined the Picture by Darren Demaree 

“Cullen’s poem captivates us with its deep exploration of divine justice… while Silverman’s poem engages us through the profound emotional depth in student voices.” — Sophia Jeong on Yet Do I Marvel by Countee Cullen and Still, I Witness by Dr. Elena Silverman 

“It pays homage to dignity and self-possession.” — Susan Lee on Still I Rise by Maya Angelou 

“When reading these words, I am reminded of why I do the work that I do each day and the fight I have within me to make the world a better place.” — Tiffany Wild on Don’t Quit by Edgar Albert Guest 

“A choice we must all make at some point in life.” — Ebony Caldwell on The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost 

“Connection to past experiences.” — Sherry Kinzel on I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou 

Congratulations to the five selected participants, and thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the power of poetry. 

Mental Health Awareness Month 2025

In May, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month 2025, the Office of Engagement, Discovery, and Global Education (EDGE) invited the academic community to reflect on the importance of mental well-being. Recognizing that the demands of academic, professional, and personal life can be overwhelming at times, EDGE emphasized that mental health is not a secondary concern, but a vital foundation for thriving in both learning and life. 

To support this message, EDGE shared a curated collection of campus and national mental health resources designed to assist students, faculty, staff, and graduate associates. These included counseling services, peer support networks, recovery communities, culturally responsive programming, and emergency and crisis support. Community members were encouraged to explore and share these resources with others, reinforcing a culture of care, connection, and collective well-being. For a full list of recommended mental health and wellness resources, please visit: https://edge.ehe.osu.edu/2025/05/19/mental-health-awareness-month-2025/ 

Global Hub

The Inclusive Smart Society Initiative with University of Tsukuba 

The Inclusive Smart Society program is a grant-funded initiative that emerged from OSU’s partnership with University of Tsukuba. It includes virtual courses, cross-institutional student projects, and faculty and student exchange. This initiative demonstrates the potential for student, faculty, and staff engagement and enrichment in the context of thriving international partnerships. We look forward to continued success in the coming year. Emily Thongsavanh, International Partnerships Coordinator in the Office of International Affairs, traveled with 4 students—including two EHE grad students– to Japan in March. The visit was fully funded by University of Tsukuba’s MEXT grant (Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology). Thongsavanh’s post-trip report is shared below.

Spring Break Student Experience at University of Tsukuba  

 by Emily Thongsavanh 

Four student winners of the ISS Summer Festival 2024 were awarded the opportunity to visit the University of Tsukuba in March 2025. The group was there for 10 days and was provided with an itinerary that aligned with their research interests. 

From sitting in on joint lectures given by both UT and visiting OSU faculty on themes such as accessibility, teaching and mentorship in the STEM fields, and a roundtable discussion on graduate studies from perspectives of both advisors and students, to engaging with other UT students to plan the next ISS Summer Festival program to be held in June 2025, the students were able to devote themselves to learning more about UT’s campus facilities, research, and Japanese culture in general. They learned about UT graduate students’ research, the facilities, such as the Empowerment Studio, on campus, and take part in student club activities, such as karate practice and a Japanese tea ceremony. 

At the end of the trip, students were asked to provide a report of their experience: 

My time in Japan with the University of Tsukuba as part of the Inclusive Smart Society program was phenomenal. For the short ten days that I was there, I had so much fun every single day. We explored the campus of the University of Tsukuba, where we learned about the research of the students in the labs there. They demonstrated their research and explained the practical application of their works to us and I was mind blown at how amazing they were. From propellerless flying drones to finger prosthetics to a rat physical therapy machine, I learned about the wide range of research and got a glimpse into each of the hard work put into each project. Not only did I learn a lot academically, I also learned about traditional Japanese culture while I visited. My group and I participated in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, where we learned about the different steps to a tea ceremony and learned how to make our own matcha with a matcha whisk. We visited shrines, sculptures, and monuments, each with their own unique history. We were able to try a variety of Japanese dishes, each better than the last! But best of all were the people I was able to meet on this trip. I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many lovely, amazing, and talented people and to be able to learn and try so many new things. My only complaint about my trip was that I wish it had been longer! 

-Cindy Zhang, Undergraduate student in Data Analytics  

This program was an incredible experience from start to finish. The ISS, Tsukuba faculty, and students were all so welcoming and made our time in Japan even more special. The trip wouldn’t have been the same without the amazing community at Tsukuba. We had the chance to learn about the groundbreaking research happening there, from undergraduate projects to post-doctorate work. A big focus was on inclusive research—finding ways to help disabled and underrepresented groups in ways that benefit everyone. Some projects that stood out to me included pregnancy assistance in Mongolia, prosthetics, and esports accessibility. Experiencing the passion and dedication from the researchers firsthand was inspiring! Beyond that, the ISS planned a great schedule and accommodations, giving us plenty of time to connect with Tsukuba students and explore the city. I really appreciated the freedom to go out and experience things on our own. It allowed us to navigate Japan in our own way, and I believe that we built deeper connections with the people of Tsukuba because of that. Honestly, I can’t fully put into words how much I loved this experience, and I really hope to go back someday! 

-Andy Zhang, Undergraduate student in Finance 

My experience in Tsukuba through the Inclusive Smart Society (ISS) Program was both inspiring and transformative. I was especially excited to reconnect with friends and build new relationships while exploring how Japan integrates inclusivity and technology to support diverse populations. As a graduate student studying metabolic health and women’s health research, I was eager to learn about women’s health in Japan and Mongolia. Engaging with faculty and peers provided valuable insights into body composition research and global demographic representation, aligning closely with my work at SHE IS Lab. One of the most memorable experiences was practicing karate in Japan. It deepened my appreciation for budo and martial arts philosophy, and I’ve been immersing myself in readings on different martial arts traditions since returning home. Beyond academics, navigating Tsukuba’s efficient and accessible urban design reinforced my passion for bridging scientific innovation with real-world inclusivity. This program has strengthened my global perspective, shaping my vision for equitable health research and inclusive innovation. 

-Aydan Jordan, Graduate student in Health & Exercise Science  

First, I am extremely grateful that I was able to obtain the opportunity to spend a week in Tsukuba, thanks to the Inclusive Smart Society Summer festival, an event held to form bonds across the world with students between our two universities. I am lucky enough that this was my second time visiting UT, and this time was just as incredible as the last. We participated in discussions that covered how to bridge the gap between our two cultures, as well as lectures that covered the specialties of our universities. We also got to tour various labs and hands-on about the incredible research that is going on at UT. I was able to learn so much about the ISS initiative, and how UT and Japan are pushing every day for a better future for all its people, regardless of their abilities. We also got to experience pieces of Japanese culture, participating in a traditional tea ceremony, and being able to attend a session of the karate club. I was truly blown away by the respect and honor shown in all things. Finally, I was most impacted by the faculty and students of UT. Everyone that we interacted with was so warm and kind to us. Everyone showed genuine interest in us and looked forward to getting to know us. I was able to form long-lasting bonds, experience pieces of local history and culture, and eat so much good food thanks to everyone I met there. I hope that I can come back soon. 

-Brandon Lam, Graduate student in Health & Exercise Science 

To good practice, in all we do, 

Carlotta Penn, PhD
Director of Partnerships and Engagement

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Featured International Programs

EDGE Global Hub Reception Highlights EHE Success in International Education 

On April 3, the Office of Engagement, Discovery, and Global Education hosted its 3^rd annual Global Hub Reception, a celebratory event highlighting international engagement in the College of Education and Human Ecology. The event welcomed 25 guests from EHE, OSU, and the Columbus community.  
 
Featured speaker, EHE alum Pablo Chignolli, delivered a presentation addressing how internationalization and globalization in education can enhance students’ empathy, critical thinking, and global awareness. Chignolli is a Spanish Teacher at Westerville City Schools and author of THE ONES AMONG US: Memoirs of Culturally Diverse High School Students in America. 

ISS Summer Festival June 12-14, 2025 

OSU and University of Tsukuba announce the 2^nd annual Inclusive Smart Society Summer Festival, hosted by the University of Tsukuba https://iss-summer-festival.jimdofree.com/  

The program is designed for all students, faculty and staff at OSU, primarily encouraging student participation but all are welcome.   

This festival, fully virtual, offers a variety of engaging activities, including:  

• Language exchange chat rooms (English/Japanese)  
• Virtual art gallery and collective pixel art  
• Virtual campus tours in Minecraft  
• Super Mario Live Gaming event (OSU event hosted in Arps) 

Participants are invited to collaborate, creating a Minecraft virtual campus. Join the festival, collect points, and attend the daily quiz sessions about the festival during Live Event Time. Get high scores throughout the three days and win an invaluable chance to visit University of Tsukuba. Learn more about last year’s winners, who spent 8 days in Japan in March 2025.    

About the MEXT Grant Project 

The University of Tsukuba was awarded a multi-million-dollar grant from the Japanese government in 2023, with Ohio State University named as a key partner. The project is focused on the concept of the inclusive smart society (ISS), and the collaboration is bolstered by the twin designations of Tsukuba City as one of Japan’s smart cities¹ and the Smart Columbus initiative. The College of Education and Human Ecology is a key collaborator in this project, along with the Office of International Affairs, College of Engineering, and College of Arts and Sciences.  

EHE Hosts International Delegations 

University of Tsukuba Faculty and Student Delegation March 2025 

Carlotta Penn 

In February, a delegation of four students and one faculty member from University of Tsukuba visited OSU as part of the Inclusive Smart Society initiative, funded by the MEXT grant. The students were awarded the travel scholarship based on their participation in the 2024 ISS Summer Festival. As part of their visit, the delegation toured EHE centers, including the Center for Digital Learning and Innovation (CDLI).  

Brazil University Partnership Delegation Stephanie Power-Carter and Laurie Katz  

In March, scholars from three Brazilian Universities (Universidade Federal Do ABC, Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais, and Universidade De Sao Paulo) participated in several key activities aimed at enhancing the multi-institution partnership with EHE.  They toured local schools, presented at the Discourse Analysis Symposium, and engaged in partnership meetings. Once such meeting with EDGE and OIA focused on the future steps of the MoU, reinforcing our shared commitment to international collaboration in education. Dr. Luciana Martiliano Milena of UFABC also met with Drs. Sayer, Stefano, and Troyan from the Buckeye Language Education Resource (BuckLER) Center. The discussions centered around the internationalization of UFABC’s curriculum, a crucial area of focus for both institutions moving forward. In addition to formal partnership planning discussions, she visited Weinland Park Elementary School and attended the Discourse Analysis conference.  

Global Education Programs 

EHE Student Experience 

SPRING BREAK 

Multicultural Histories and Legacies of Spain, led by Julius Mayo, Natalee Blackford, and Shantrice Bradley, traveled to Madrid and Barcelona during spring break 2025. As a part of the ESHESA 3573 course, student participants examined the concept of social change in domestic and global contexts on the Columbus campus during spring semester, and traveled abroad to Spain over spring break. This program provides student participants the opportunity to understand what social change is and how it relates to how communities live, learn, and engage with each other. 

SUMMER 

Signature Experience in International Language Education (SEILE): Taiwan, led by Becky Huang and Ivan Stefano, is designed to offer students a rich and meaningful experience in language education and cross-cultural understanding. At the core of SEILE is a hands-on opportunity to engage in English language teaching/co-teaching alongside experienced local mentors to cultivate essential teaching skills. 

The European Model of Sport, led by Brian Turner, takes students on a seminar through Europe, providing a unique firsthand experience in international sports. Over the course of 11 days, the group is immersed in topics such as sport management, marketing, and sports law. Participants will attend lectures by European sport executives, engage in student workshops, and tour sport facilities in Munich, Prague, and Berlin.  

Hospitality, Gastronomy, and Tourism in Paris, led by Anne Turpin and Ashley Hicks, explores the heart of hospitality in Europe’s top tourist destination. Participants gain insight into various segments of hospitality (culinary arts, food production and service, tourist attractions) through hands-on and behind-the-scenes access to some of Paris’ most popular sites. 

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