Office of Student Life
Disability Services

Annual Awards

In partnership with the Office of Student Life Leadership and Community Engagement, Disability Services honors outstanding faculty, staff, and students through our four Annual Awards. These awards recognize members of the Ohio State community who help create an accessible environment on campus. Recipients are celebrated each spring at the Leadership Awards ceremony, which honors leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. 

2026 Individual Award winner photos and profiles are posted on the Student Life Leadership Awards website. Congratulations to all nominees and awardees! 

Check back here for Annual Awards 2027 nomination deadlines and Leadership Ceremony information!

Outstanding Student Advocate Award

Established in 2017, the Outstanding Student Advocate Award is presented to an Ohio State student (undergraduate & graduate or professional) who has been an exemplary advocate for disability access and inclusion. Nominations may come from any student, faculty or staff member. 

Previous Award Recipients: 

  • 2026 - Sophia Nagy (undergraduate) and Code Bechler (graduate) 

  • 2025 - Josh Marino (undergraduate) and Samantha Chrin (graduate) 

  • 2024 - Not awarded 

  • 2023 - Lily Furgeson (undergraduate) and Sarah Beam (graduate) 

  • 2022 - Shea Daley 

  • 2021 - Kayden Gill (undergraduate) and Antonio (Joey) Ferraro (graduate) 

  • 2020 - Meredith Kromalic (undergraduate) and Shannon Thacker Cregg (graduate) 

  • 2019 - Jen Schlegel 

  • 2018 - Lauren Sabo 

  • 2017 - Amanda Hostetter 

Celena Irby Award

The Celena Irby Award honors a student employee of Student Life Disability Services (SLDS) who shows a positive attitude, provides excellent support, and is dedicated to serving students with disabilities. The award is named in memory of Celena Irby, an SLDS student employee whose commitment to these values continues to inspire this recognition. Nominations may be submitted by students served by Disability Services, SLDS student employees, or Disability Services staff. Each person may submit only one nomination. 

Previous Award Recipients: 

  • 2026 - Lauren Schmitt 

  • 2025 - Salem Gore 

  • 2024 - Not awarded 

  • 2023 - McKenzy Connelly, Amanda Douzos, Grace Frey, Ashley Knight, Leah Moore, Julia Narhi-Martinez 

  • 2022 - Fakhtah Abdulla, Bridget O'Boyle, Marry Harris, Raina Rindani, Prarthana Singh, Abby Shuster, Nautica Vance 

  • 2021 - Elizabeth Bergmann, Alyssa Douzos, Sarah Chopko, Lauryn Wolverton, Caroline Fitzpatrick, Ben Golik  

  • 2020 - Not awarded 

  • 2019 - Kylee Snoke, Leia Miller, Kassie Kudler, Kelly Struhar 

  • 2018 - Kyla Sharp, Agustina de Leon, Samantha Buck, and Darryl Wright 

  • 2017 - Amanda Brown, Brenna Farrar, Jessica Fenton, Alden Gardiner, Melissa Millward, Aine Mooney, Emily Panzero, Anna Shaw, Annie Song, Heather Wallingford 

  • 2016 - Jessica Beers, Carly Gurka, Dominique Harbaugh, Katherine Knapke, Paul Kraemer, Samantha Stehlik 

  • 2015 – Aniello R. Miele, Madeline Schloss, Taylor D. Stevens 

  • 2014 – Austin Drenski, Rachael Kincaid, Dominique Holzer, Akshay Paropkari, Rebecca Yoc 

  • 2013 - Nicole D’Aliberti, Maggie Reading, Lucas Rodriguez 

  • 2012 – Katie Ballinger, Joe Huddle, Jason Khavaran, Akshay Paropkari, Katie Novak 

  • 2011 – Emily Grace, Allison Pistolessi, Danielle Barnett & Sarah Novak 

  • 2010 – Ross Antonacci, Julie Babyak, Molly Besancon, Lisa Khavaran, Ali Jiraki, Hariny Kuttuva, and Julianne Wolf 

Dick Maxwell Award 

Dick Maxwell, an Ohio State alumnus who was paralyzed from the neck down after a spinal cord injury during an intramural fraternity football game, became Assistant Director of the Office for Disability Services at Ohio State in 1972. He played a key role in improving disability access across campus. 

This award honors a faculty or staff member who has made an important contribution to a student with a disability or to Disability Services. All full‑time and part‑time Ohio State faculty and staff are eligible. Any student, faculty, or staff member may submit a nomination for an individual or department. 

Nominations must include a completed nomination form and a nomination statement (up to two pages). Statements may also be submitted as an audio recording. The nomination should give clear examples of how the nominee has made a positive impact. 

Award recipients are selected based on contributions such as: 

  • Improving the college experience for students with disabilities in meaningful ways

  • Strengthening Disability Services or improving accessibility within a department 

Previous Award Recipients: 

  • 2026 - Anna Yocom 

  • 2025 - Marie Franco 

  • 2024 - Not awarded 

  • 2023 - Holly Wheaton 

  • 2022 - Mollie Workman 

  • 2021 - Julie Prince 

  • 2020 - Sarah Steenrod 

  • 2019 - Michelle McGregor 

  • 2018 - Arthur Burghes 

  • 2017 - Toni Greenslade-Smith 

  • 2016 - Mark Foster 

  • 2015 – Lisa Cravens-Brown 

  • 2014 – Sarah Terry 

  • 2013 – Connie S. Zang 

  • 2012 – Dr. Cynthia Bronson

  • 2011 – Dr. Christopher Anderson 

  • 2010 – John Cronin 

Patricia M. Carlton Award

The Patricia M. Carlton Award honors a non‑traditional student who has shown academic success while balancing work, family, or a return to school after time away. The award is named in honor of Patricia “Patty” Carlton, who served as Director of the Office for Disability Services in the early 2000s. It recognizes the unique challenges faced by adult learners with disabilities. 

Previous Award Recipients: 

  • 2026 - Krista Lowden 

  • 2025 - Daniela Duddleston 

  • 2024 - Not awarded 

  • 2023 - Not awarded 

  • 2022 - Not awarded 

  • 2021 - Ryann Patrus 

  • 2020 – Not awarded 

  • 2019 – Not awarded 

  • 2018 - Mark Capehart 

  • 2017 - Joe Rice 

  • 2016 - D'Shahn Coleman 

  • 2015 – James McCoy 

  • 2014 – Taras (Orlando) Williams 

  • 2013 – Kimberly Clarke 

  • 2012 – Jane Broud, Jeff Kohler 

  • 2011 – Terry Ellis, Maria Lee, & Christine Szostak 

  • 2010 – Chongmin Lee & Alicia Atkins