MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Dr. Nikole Patson, a professor in The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences Department of Psychology and a faculty member at The Ohio State University at Marion, has been honored with The Ohio State University’s 2025 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, one of the university’s most prestigious teaching awards.
University leadership surprised Patson with the announcement during her 11 a.m. class on Monday, March 31. Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Patrick Louchouarn and Vice Provost for Academic Policy and Faculty Resources Helen Malone presented the award. Assistant Vice President for Advancement-Alumni Association Andrea Bowlin also presented Patson with a lucky Buckeye and an Ohio State block O pin on behalf of the alumni association.
An emotional Patson told the crowd of students, university administrators, and faculty colleagues that she was overwhelmed by the honor. “I think if you’ve read my materials, you know how much my students matter to me,” Patson said. “Being honored in this way means a great deal.”
Ohio State Marion Dean & Director Jennifer Schlueter lauded Patson’s dedication. “Dr. Nikole Patson’s recognition as a recipient of the 2025 Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching is a profound honor—not only for her, but for the entire psychology department and the Ohio State Marion community,” Schlueter said. She highlighted Patson’s dedication to students, innovative teaching methods, and leadership in the classroom.
Tracy Tylka, a professor of psychology at Ohio State Marion, emphasized Patson’s focus on training students to think like scientists and applying scientific information to their daily lives. Tylka noted Patson’s real-world assignments, such as comparing popular press and journal articles.
Gregory S. Rose, former Ohio State Marion Dean and Director and Associate Professor Emeritus of Geography, who nominated Patson, praised her teaching excellence, engagement with students, and impact on undergraduate research. He also noted her commitment to teaching effectiveness, inclusion, and community-connected projects.
Students described Patson’s classroom environment as welcoming, calm, and conducive to learning, noting her acceptance and open-mindedness.
Beyond the classroom, Patson advises students, provides career counseling, and mentors undergraduate researchers, including those completing honors theses. She also coordinates the student survey research pool in Marion and is the principal investigator for Ohio State’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates Grant at COSI in Columbus.
Patson is involved in mentoring first-generation college students and the campus’s Pride and Life Skills Mentoring program. She also represents the psychology major at university events and coordinates course scheduling.
In the Marion community, Patson serves on the board of “Let’s Read 20,” a literacy initiative. She also engages students in community-focused projects, such as a bilingual book walk along the Marion Tallgrass Trail and a “Reading in Marion” research project in collaboration with local organizations.
Patson is also involved with the Drake Institute, developing new pedagogical approaches to enhance classroom discussion.
The Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching recognizes a maximum of 10 faculty members annually for teaching excellence. Recipients receive a $5,000 honorarium and a base salary increase. They are also inducted into Ohio State’s Academy of Teaching.