Meet Central State’s 2022-23 Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education Excellence Award winners

Above: The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education's 2022-23 Central State University award winners are (from left) Dr. Roger W. Anderson, Faculty Excellence Award; Alma Brown, Staff Excellence Award; and Mortenous A. Johnson, Campus Impact Award. 

Each year, the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) recognizes outstanding faculty and staff from its member institutions, including Central State University. According to its website, “SOCHE is a consortium of colleges and universities in Ohio that promotes educated, employed, and engaged citizens.”  

The Excellence Awards traditionally recognize one faculty and staff member — based on the individual institution’s selection process — and this year SOCHE added the Campus Impact Award open to faculty, staff, and administrators.

Central State’s 2022-23 award winners are Dr. Roger W. Anderson, Faculty Excellence Award; Alma Brown, Staff Excellence Award; and Mortenous A. Johnson, Campus Impact Award. 

An assistant professor of international languages and cultures, Anderson has been on faculty for three years. He is passionate about world language education, Arabic language pedagogy, and the internationalization of higher education.  

“I enjoy helping students see the world through a new prism via world language education. Incomprehensible babble among seemingly odd people gradually becomes comprehensible, logical conversation among potential, international friends,” Anderson said of his work.  

A distinguished member of the class of 1981 and a Central State employee since 1974, Brown has “pledged a lifelong commitment to the University.” She serves as an administrative secretary for the Department of Professional Education and works tirelessly to support the College of Education. Her colleagues, fellow alumni, and all who interact with her note her passionate dedication. 

The recipient of the first Campus Impact Award and the director of TRIO Student Support Services, Johnson is in his fifth year at Central State. He is deeply invested in his students’ success and is “humbled to lead, develop, and teach.” 

“Serving as a builder and innovator, my praxes are purposefully tailored to support the University's mission, goals, and achievement,” Johnson said. 

This year’s SOCHE Excellence Award winners reflect the dedication, passion, and importance of Central State faculty, staff, and administrators.