Ohio University recognizes regional faculty for excellence in teaching, scholarship, service

Ohio University is recognizing two outstanding faculty members from its regional campuses for their dedication to students, excellence in teaching, scholarly activity and service.

The 2026 Regional Higher Education Outstanding Tenure Track Faculty and Outstanding Instructional Faculty Awards recognize regional campus faculty who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their students, their disciplines, their campuses and the University community.

“We are proud to recognize faculty members who consistently go above and beyond for their students, their campuses and their communities,” Vice Provost for Regional Higher Education Lewatis McNeal said. “Candice and Jennifer exemplify the commitment to excellence that makes our regional campuses such an important part of the Ohio University experience. Their work has a meaningful impact on students and colleagues alike, and we are pleased to celebrate their accomplishments.”

2026 RHE Outstanding Tenure Track Faculty Award

Dr. Candice Thomas-Maddox, professor of communication studies at OHIO Lancaster and associate director of Online Graduate Programs for Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication, has dedicated more than 30 years to educating and mentoring students in higher education. She earned her Ed.D. in Communication in Instruction from West Virginia University.

Throughout her career, she has focused on student success and helping students strengthen their communication skills, develop confidence and leadership abilities, and gain meaningful experiences that prepare them for success personally, professionally and within their communities.

Thomas-Maddox is passionate about helping students explore interpersonal, family and organizational communication. She is the co-author of four textbooks: “Interpersonal Communication: Building Rewarding Relationships,” “Quantitative Research Methods for Communication: A Hands-on Approach,” “Communicating in Your Personal, Professional, and Public Lives,” and “Family Communication: Relationship Foundations.”

A dedicated educator and mentor, Thomas-Maddox has been recognized with the Eastern Communication Association’s Ecroyd Teaching Award and Teaching Fellows designation, as well as the Ohio Communication Association’s Ohio Outstanding Scholar Award.

I have been fortunate to spend so many years at OHIO Lancaster surrounded by colleagues and students who continue to challenge and inspire me," said Dr. Candice Thomas-Maddox. "I am grateful for every opportunity to learn alongside my students, support their growth and help them find their voice.

She has held several leadership positions within the National Communication Association, most recently serving as finance director and a member of the Executive Council from 2022 through 2025. She has also served as president and executive director of both the Eastern Communication Association and the Ohio Communication Association.

Thomas-Maddox’s commitment to teaching excellence has also been recognized at Ohio University. In 2025, she was nominated for the University’s Presidential Teacher Award. The award recognizes faculty members who implement effective teaching practices and innovations, contribute to curriculum development, mentor students and colleagues, and engage in the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Thomas-Maddox regularly creates opportunities for students to learn beyond the traditional classroom. Earlier this month, she served as a co-leader for an immersive Paris and London experiential learning trip. Students spent a week in each city, gaining opportunities to experience different cultures, broaden their perspectives and connect their academic experiences with the world around them.

She also serves as a co-coordinator of OHIO Lancaster’s Leadership Summit. The annual program is designed to establish and enhance leadership skills and extends educational opportunities into the broader community. More than 50 participants take part each year, with OHIO Lancaster students participating alongside community leaders. The program provides opportunities for shared learning, networking and mentorship.

At OHIO Lancaster, Thomas-Maddox is committed to mentoring students beyond the classroom. She advises student organizations, including Phi Theta Kappa Honorary and the SPARK Leadership Team. In her courses, she uses Team-Based Learning to strengthen collaboration and problem-solving skills. She also incorporates community-based learning projects that allow students to apply communication concepts to meaningful, real-world situations.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition because teaching has always been about much more than what happens in the classroom. It is about building relationships with students, helping them discover their strengths and creating opportunities for them to see how what they are learning can make a difference in their lives and in their communities,” said Thomas-Maddox. “I have been fortunate to spend so many years at OHIO Lancaster surrounded by colleagues and students who continue to challenge and inspire me. I am grateful for every opportunity to learn alongside my students, support their growth and help them find their voice.”

2026 RHE Outstanding Instructional Faculty Award

Jennifer Lisy, assistant professor of instruction in Early Childhood and Elementary Education in the Patton College of Education at OHIO Zanesville, brings extensive experience in education, technology and teacher preparation to her work at Ohio University Zanesville. Before joining OHIO, she taught education courses at Ohio Wesleyan University, Mount Vernon Nazarene University and William Paterson University in New Jersey.

Lisy has taught in a wide range of educational settings, including a public school in the Bronx, a private school outside Chicago and an Early Reading First Grant program serving preschools throughout Chicago. These experiences have shaped her approach to teacher education and her commitment to preparing future educators to serve diverse learners. She has also conducted technology training nationwide and continues to explore meaningful ways to incorporate technology into in-person, synchronous and asynchronous courses.

One of Lisy’s recent areas of instructional leadership has been helping teacher candidates navigate the edTPA, a demanding licensure assessment portfolio. She led efforts to streamline the process through collaboration among faculty at Ohio University’s Athens and regional campuses. Her work included embedding practice tasks into earlier coursework, developing shared capstone modules and hosting dedicated workdays for students.

Between the 2022 to 2023 and 2024 to 2025 academic years, Elementary Literacy pass rates increased from 69% to 75%. Elementary Math pass rates increased from 60% to 92% during the same period.

Lisy also applies research on how people learn to her teacher education courses. Her instruction incorporates strategies such as retrieval practice, spacing, interleaving and metacognition into the 12-hour reading core. Students have regular opportunities to assess their understanding, make connections across course topics and strengthen their long-term retention. These approaches help future teachers develop both knowledge and confidence as they prepare for their own classrooms.

I am truly honored to receive this award," Jennifer Lisy said. "Teaching and working with our students is deeply rewarding, and I’m grateful to be part of a university community that invests so intentionally in instructional excellence.

Lisy has also explored innovative approaches to assessment. After studying ungrading models, she transitioned her courses to specifications grading. This approach allows final grades to reflect students’ proficiency in essential teaching standards while providing opportunities to revise work based on targeted feedback. Beyond her own courses, Lisy co-led a university-wide Faculty Learning Community on Alternative Grading, helping faculty from multiple disciplines explore transparent, mastery-based assessment practices.

Lisy has established herself as a leader in the responsible use of artificial intelligence in teacher education. As an AI Faculty Fellow with Ohio University’s Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, she co-developed the University’s self-paced AI Asynchronous Institute. She also led regional workforce workshops with Dr. Basil Masri Zada through an AI Talent Ready Grant.

Her expertise has gained national attention, including an invitation to present to education deans at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Leadership Academy in Columbus. There, she shared insights on generative artificial intelligence in educator preparation and beyond.

At OHIO Zanesville, Lisy teaches early childhood and elementary education courses focused on literacy, as well as middle childhood courses in literacy and social studies. She is committed to creating engaging learning experiences that prepare future educators to think critically, adapt to change and apply what they learn in meaningful ways.

“I am truly honored to receive this award. Teaching and working with our students is deeply rewarding, and I’m grateful to be part of a university community that invests so intentionally in instructional excellence. The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment provides incredible support that empowers faculty to innovate, grow, and bring our very best to the classroom every day,” Lisy said.

Ohio University congratulates Thomas-Maddox and Lisy on their 2026 Regional Higher Education faculty awards. Their accomplishments demonstrate the impact that dedicated faculty have on students, their campuses and the communities they serve.