Ohio University Regional Higher Education faculty honored for outstanding achievements

Ohio University proudly announces the recognition of four outstanding faculty members from its regional campuses for their exceptional contributions to teaching, scholarly activity and service. These awards celebrate the dedication and impact of these educators on their students and the university community.

The Regional Higher Education Outstanding Tenure Track Faculty and Outstanding Instructional Faculty Awards honor regional campus faculty who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship and service.  

“We are proud to recognize outstanding regional campus faculty who go above and beyond to serve their students, their campuses, and their communities,” Vice Provost for Regional Higher Education Lewatis McNeal said. “This year’s awardees have consistently demonstrated their deep commitment to teaching, scholarly activity, and service. We are honored to work with such dedicated and talented faculty.”

The 2025 award recipients

Greg Obi, associate professor of management at OHIO Chillicothe

Dr. Obi has had nearly 20 years of experience teaching in higher education at various levels. His research interests are in the areas of organizational management/leadership as it relates to how variables like culture, gender, socioeconomic power, and other diversity issues impact organizational management practices. His published works include book chapters, business case studies, and research articles. He is an avid workshop conference presenter. Obi’s colleagues nominated him for the award because of his dedication to student success, innovative teaching methods, interdisciplinary contributions, and leadership in academic and civic engagement.

“I was deeply surprised and filled with joy to receive the 2025 RHE Outstanding Tenure Track Faculty Award,” Obi said. “This award is a testament to the incredible community at the Ohio University Chillicothe campus, and I dedicate it to all my colleagues, faculty, staff, and students. Their inspiration, encouragement, and challenges over the past 10 years have been instrumental in my growth, and I am profoundly grateful for their unwavering support.”

Jennifer Steele, associate professor of sociology and criminal justice at OHIO Lancaster

Dr. Steele teaches courses in sociology, criminal justice, criminology, deviant behavior, social problems, and drugs, crime and society. Her areas of research and expertise include substance use and abuse, social inequality, and interpersonal violence. She has several peer-reviewed publications that have appeared in Addiction Research and Theory, Journal of Drug Issues, Substance Use & Misuse, Violence Against Women, Feminist Criminology, Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, and Gender Issues.

Steele’s colleagues nominated her for the Outstanding Faculty Award in recognition of her effective and engaging teaching style, outstanding record of scholarly activity and service to her campus, university, and community through numerous leadership and volunteer activities.

“I’m deeply honored to receive the 2025 RHE Outstanding Tenure Track Professor Award,” Steele said. “This recognition means a great deal to me and reflects the value of sustained commitment to teaching, scholarship, and service. I’m especially grateful to the students who inspire my work every day and to my colleagues whose collaboration and support have made it possible to grow as a teacher and scholar. I’m proud to be part of a vibrant academic community that values curiosity, learning, and meaningful engagement.”

Kim Ciroli, associate professor of instruction in early childhood and elementary education at OHIO Eastern

Ciroli was trained in and inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to Early Childhood education. She specializes in Elementary Reading, Special Education, and developmentally appropriate practice. Her work focuses on integrating best practice into the public-school setting and putting theory into practice. Her research interests include relationship building with remote classrooms and well as how co-teaching improves outcomes for teacher candidates and P-12 learners. In 2018, the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators named Ciroli the Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher Educator. Her colleagues noted that her commitment to teaching is evident through her innovative course development and dynamic teaching strategies, such as cooperative learning teams, literacy labs, and book clubs.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Regional Campus Outstanding Instructional Faculty Award,” Ciroli said. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the collaborative spirit of my students, colleagues, and the broader university regional community. I absolutely love what I do and strive to create engaging learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. I am grateful for the opportunities at OHIO to grow as an educator and mentor."

Michael Koop, associate professor of instruction in astronomy and physics at OHIO Chillicothe

Dr. Koop has been an integral part of Ohio University for nearly a decade, teaching courses in physics, physical science, and astronomy. His excellence in teaching effectiveness is reflected in consistently high student evaluations. He fosters discovery and scientific exploration for learners of all ages as an instructor in OHIO Chillicothe’s Kids in College program, as a frequent featured speaker at local schools and libraries, and through producing the “Expansive Ideas” program, which encourages and engages students of all kinds in scientific inquiry. His astronomy events, including eclipse viewings, have drawn hundreds of community members to the Ohio University Chillicothe campus, fostering public interest in science and higher education.

“I am truly honored to be recognized and appreciated by my colleagues through this award but I’m even more honored to have the opportunity to work every day alongside such excellent and admirable faculty, staff, and students,” Koop said. “Education gives us the tools we need to both understand the world we live in and help make it a better place, from our personal lives, to our local communities, to our nation, to our planet. I am proud to be part of a community that extends from my home campus to all the people working at all the other institutions around the world devoted to the mission of improving lives through learning opportunities.”

Ohio University is immensely proud of these faculty members and their commitment to excellence in education and service. Their achievements reflect the high standards of Ohio University's regional campuses and their significant role in the academic community.