Recognized for Excellence

SPRINGFIELD, OH. - The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) recently announced 52 Excellence Awards recipients from across 21 member institutions for the 2025-2026 school year.

Each school selected one Faculty Excellence Award winner based on their institution's criteria, with special consideration of demonstrated excellence in teaching, service, and/or scholarship. Each school then selected a Staff Excellence Award winner with special consideration of demonstrated excellence in student success, service, and/or assessment, and one Campus Impact Award recipient, which is based on special consideration for performance that made a positive impact on the school or campus as a whole. This category is open to faculty, staff, or administrators.

Wittenberg award winners include Richard Phillips, associate professor of biological and environmental sciences, for the Faculty Excellence Award, Carol Nickoson, director of human resources, for the Staff Excellence Award, and Grace Sever, senior director of academic services, for the Campus Impact Award.

SOCHE will honor the award winners each month from June 2026 through April 2027. Faculty and staff winners will be highlighted via SOCHE social media channels and on the SOCHE Excellence Awards webpage.

About Wittenberg's Recipients:
Associate Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences Richard Phillips is the 2026 Faculty Excellence Award winner for Wittenberg University. A wildlife ecologist with a particular interest in the dispersal of organisms across landscapes, Phillips holds a B.A. in biology from Emory University and a M.S. and Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in wildlife science. He has conducted research on wild turkeys, Mexican wolves, and montane rattlesnakes. Since his arrival at Wittenberg, he and his students have studied birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. One of his former students noted that "One of the most remarkable aspects of Dr. Phillips' teaching is his commitment to experiential learning. Each year, he leads students on a winter weekend field study in Michigan and a spring weekend field study in Mississippi. Students gain practical experience in the field while also forming lasting memories and friendships. It is clear these experiences leave a lasting impression and deepen students' understanding of and love for wildlife and ecology." Phillips was also named the 2026 recipient of the Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Teaching, the highest honor bestowed upon a Wittenberg faculty member and given by the University's Alumni Association Board.

Director of Human Resources Carol Nickoson earned the 2026 Staff Excellence Award for Wittenberg University. Her work in Student Involvement and Human Resources focuses on working with people. From their first moments interacting with Wittenberg through orientation and now employment interviews, Nickoson has been called a "beacon of the strength and joy that is the Wittenberg community." Through these experiences, Nickoson's service reflects the quality of people that build Wittenberg's community, from students and alumni to employees, Nickoson's dedication to the success of Wittenberg is also apparent. "Her time is valuable, yet she will always prioritize an opportunity to check in with someone," noted one nominator. Nickoson, who served as the Staff Advisory Council president in past years, recently received the Wittenberg Torch Bearer Award, the highest honor given to a Wittenberg University staff member.

Named the Wittenberg University 2026 Campus Impact Award winner, Grace Sever is senior director of academic services at the institution. Committed to all students' personal and professional success, Sever has supported countless students in her 10-plus years at Wittenberg. As a first point-of-contact in the University's COMPASS: Sweet Success Center, she oversees all of Wittenberg's Success Advisers and serves as a key partner in helping students navigate their respective college journeys. From exploring their academic interests and the University's curricular and co-curricular offerings, to assisting them in understanding Wittenberg processes, ensuring they have what they need for a successful transition to college, and building academic skills while enrolled, Sever works tirelessly to keep students at the forefront of her work.

Formed in 1967, Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education is a consortium of colleges and universities located throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. SOCHE is the regional leader for higher collaboration, engaging with colleges, universities, and industry to transform the economy through the education and employment of nearly 200,000 students in the Midwest. See more at www.soche.org.