Dr. Amy Kulesza, CLSE's Assistant Director for Educational Research and Development, has won the 2023 Distinguished Staff Award. This is the highest honor bestowed upon staff at Ohio State and the award reflects Dr. Kulesza's commitment to delivering nothing but the highest ideals toward the student experience.

Dr. Kulesza is respected for her leadership, diligence, intelligence, and enthusiasm, as well as for being a genuinely humble and thoughtful individual. Through her efforts, biology courses have undergone a significant overhaul with active learning, student-centered and inquiry techniques. Her creative and varied solutions have significantly impacted student learning and retention rates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors, especially for underrepresented and minoritized students. Amy’s own research in the field of biology education has earned respect in wide circles, and her growth mindset makes a better environment for students, faculty and staff.