Student Life Disability Services' Annual Award Winners Recognized
April 30, 2025
Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2025 SLDS Annual Awards:
Josh Marino – Outstanding Undergraduate Student Advocate Award
Josh Marino has been an exemplary advocate for disability access and inclusion here at Ohio State. He returned to campus full-time for Spring ‘25 semester after sustaining a spinal cord injury in the summer of 2023. Upon his return, he co-founded Embolden, the university’s first club for physically disabled students, which provides a space for students to connect, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships. He organized a Disability in Employment Awareness Month panel, and he is collaborating with several programs to pioneer an eight-day intensive pilot internship program to engage students in designing and prototyping adaptive devices that enhance accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Josh’s efforts to prioritize disability access and inclusion has strengthened the community for students with disabilities and influenced broader campus culture.
Samantha Chrin – Outstanding Graduate Student Advocate Award
Samantha Chrin has used her research position to be an exemplary advocate for disability access and inclusion within the chemistry department and across the University. She is an active member of the Council of Graduate Student’s (CGS) Health, Wellness, & Safety Committee and was the primary author of CGS’s “Resolution on the Inclusion of (Not Just) Graduate Students with Disabilities at The Ohio State University.” One paper she currently has in press addresses the accessibility, or inaccessibility, of chemistry courses for students with disabilities, focusing on visually impaired or blind individuals. Samantha has used her research to make recommendations for how chemistry could be more accessible and offers any support she can to students navigating their disabilities within the chemistry department.
Salem Gore – Celena Irby Award
Salem Gore, a student employee of Student Life Disability Services (SLDS), has demonstrated a positive attitude, given exemplary assistance, and provided dedicated service to students with disabilities. She is patient, kind, and always understanding without judgement. In her personal mission to make sure everyone is treated equally and fairly, Salem works hard to ensure all students she interacts with have the support they need.
Marie Franco – Dick Maxwell Award
Dr. Marie Franco has contributed significantly to enhancing the quality of the higher education experience for a student with a disability. Dr. Franco was an instrumental figure in this student’s academic and personal growth during their freshman and sophomore years at The Ohio State University. Her unwavering support and guidance contributed to their success by being a steadfast advocate providing unwavering support and encouragement. The student shared this message about Dr. Franco:
“Dr. Franco's friendly and empathetic personality, combined with her dedication to student success, make her an outstanding candidate for the 2025 Dick Maxwell Award. Her commitment to supporting all students, regardless of their disabilities, is truly commendable.”
Daniela Duddleston – Patricia M. Carlton Award
Daniela Duddleston has shown immense achievement academically while balancing a career and family life. She provides exemplary service to SLDS as an Access Specialist Assistant (ASA) and previous Lead Office Assistant (OA). Due to her unbridled and unmatched commitment to the office as a Lead OA, Daniela was offered the role as ASA a semester before entering the Master's of Social Work program at Ohio State. Her ASA position makes her an invaluable member of the Access Specialist team. As a student, she utilizes her passion for disability rights and education to connect with the students of the office, extend kindness, empathy, and education, all while maintaining utmost professionalism within her role. Her previous supervisor shared this message:
“Daniela's trailblazing attitude and unsurpassed accomplishments mark a legacy as a dedicated, intelligent, helpful, kind, and hardworking student employee, highly deserving of the Patricia M. Carlton Award.”