Ohio State Engages March 2025 Newsletter

Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce our 2025 University Outreach and Engagement award recipients. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations; they are critical in demonstrating the impactful engagement work of our faculty, staff and graduate students.

For those who are interested in STEM engagement, we have several exciting opportunities this spring. In addition to State Science Day on May 10, Columbus will host the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) from May 10-16. Given the scale of the ISEF science competition, the program is looking for volunteers to act as judges. More details are below.

In addition to our regular updates, I would like to take a moment to congratulate and acknowledge Senior Vice Provost for External Engagement Ryan Schmiesing. Ryan will be departing to join the University of Minnesota as vice president for strategic initiatives at the end of the month. In his new role, he will sit on the presidents cabinet and steward the universitys strategic plan.

Ryans vision and leadership have been critical to the Office of Outreach and Engagement. He is deeply committed to the land-grant mission and emphasized the role of our office in providing a point of access to the universitys knowledge and resources for the communities we serve. A strong supporter of engaged scholarship, Ryan was instrumental in developing the programming, resources and opportunities to support our engaged scholars and practitioners. Please join me in congratulating Ryan on this new opportunity!

Sincerely,

Jason Reece
Vice Provost for Urban Research and
Community Engagement
Office of Academic Affairs

University Outreach and Engagement Award recipients announced

Congratulations to the 2025 University Outreach and Engagement Award recipients! The awards honor faculty, staff and students for outstanding achievement in producing engaged scholarship and community impact. Awards were given in the following categories: Community Engaged Scholar, Community Engaged Practitioner and Community Engaged Graduate Student.

Apply for the Engaged Scholars Academy

The Engaged Scholars Academy has been created to develop engaged scholars at Ohio State. It is a one-year, cohort-based leadership and professional development initiative that supports faculty at the ranks of assistant and associate professor in strengthening their engaged scholarship. Applications are due March 24.

Engaged Scholars: Weaving relationships in our communities

Across the rich landscapes of the Andean region and beyond, indigenous artists like Mama Santusa Quispe are creating more than just tapestries; they are weaving stories of identity and community. Thousands of miles away, their cultural expressions have found a new home at The Ohio State University, where Michelle Wibbelsman, associate professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, leads efforts to build meaningful connections rooted in cultural preservation and collaboration.

2025 Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship

To support and promote high-impact engaged scholarship, the Office of Outreach and Engagement has instituted a process to certify programs of excellence in engaged scholarship. The certification process seeks to identify and certify projects annually that demonstrate excellence in community engaged scholarship and meet the criteria of high-impact engaged scholarship. Congratulations to the 2025 Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship!

Call for Applications open for the annual OSEP awards

In collaboration with Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP), the Office of Academic Affairs has opened a call for grant proposals that align with the university's sustainability goals; align with advancing access, engagement and student success; or promote research translation. Submissions are due March 17. Faculty, staff and students are eligible to apply. Awards range from $10,000 to $50,000.

Judges sought for Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair

Judges are needed on May 14 for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which is being held in Columbus. Regeneron ISEF is the worlds largest international pre-college science competition. More than 1,600 students representing 60-plus countries, regions and territories will be competing for nearly $9 million in awards, scholarships, internships and prizes. Ohio State is the key academic partner for ISEF 2025. The application deadline is April 29. For more information, contact Assistant Vice Provost Nicole Nieto at nieto.12@osu.edu.

More community engagement news

• Ohio State is nations top producer of Fulbright U.S. Scholars and tied for seventh for Fulbright U.S. Students
• Ohio State, Metro Schools expand Agriscience Futures Academy
• Teaching kids how to become better citizens

Opportunities

Spark Grants for arts engagement

Funded by the Mellon Foundation, Spark Grants provide seed funding for community-engaged arts projects. The competition is open to faculty, students and staff members on any Ohio State campus for projects that center the arts and that are done in partnership with community organizations. Proposals involving communities served by our regional campuses are especially welcome and will receive priority consideration. Proposals are due March 17.

2025 Federal Administration Transition

The Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge (ERIK) continues to work with the Office of Government Affairs and others to stay abreast of developments related to the federal administration transition. To help our research community track actions impacting federally funded research, ERIK has developed a webpage with information on handling proposals and awards as well as other helpful resources.

Engagement Scholarship Consortium Conference call for proposals

The call for proposals is open for the 2025 Engagement Scholarship Consortium Conference on Oct. 8-9 in Roanoke, Virginia. This year's conference theme is "Bridging Resources to Build Stronger Communities." Presentation proposals will be considered on any topic clearly connected to the advancement of community engagement. Ohio State is a member of ESC. Proposals are due March 31.

Proposals sought for SASR Grants program

The Student Success Research Lab is requesting proposals for the 2025 Student Academic Success Research (SASR) Grants program. Grants will be between $5,000-$25,000 with typical project timelines of one to two years for research projects that focus on improving, expanding and/or revising student success programs and services. The submission deadline is March 14.

Call for Proposals open for 2025 CUMU Conference

The 2025 Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities Conference (The Power of Place) explores how campuses nurture and build upon local assets to promote social and economic mobility, drive regional development and foster community well-being. The conference will take place Oct. 26-29 in Baltimore. Presentation proposals are due March 10.

Apply for the President and Provost's Leadership Institute

The President and Provost's Leadership Institute focuses on long-term faculty leadership development. The primary goals of the institute are to create a pool of potential leaders from groups that traditionally have been underrepresented in key leadership roles and to develop leaders who can create a culture that is supportive of all faculty members. Apply by April 1.

Call for proposals: Research and Implementation Grant Program

The Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning's Research and Implementation Grant Program supports faculty research on evidence-based teaching practices and innovations in Ohio State courses. Applications are due April 7.

2025 BETHA proposals due March 28

Proposals are now being accepted for the 2025 Battelle Engineering, Technology and Human Affairs (BETHA) grants until March 28. Through this annual competition, the BETHA Endowment seeks to empower scientists and engineers to address the human impacts of technology and to create a better understanding of the capabilities and limitations of science and technology.

Make connections with the Outreach and Engagement listserv

Did you know you can connect with colleagues through the Outreach and Engagement listserv? You can share your work and events, look for partnerships and much more by emailing the list at outreach@lists.osu.edu.