College of Public Health honors 2025 ETHOS Award winners

The College of Public Health honored Senior Instructional Designer Mike Mara, and Marketing and Communications Specialist Kristen Mitchell with the 2025 ETHOS Awards, a recognition of those who put Ohio State’s Shared Values into action.

The annual ETHOS Awards, presented Dec. 11 at the college’s holiday luncheon, celebrate members of the CPH community who bring excellence, integrity, inclusion and compassion to their roles.

“This is a moment to recognize colleagues who embody our values through their actions — who strengthen our culture, deepen our connections and elevate our community,” said Dean Paula Song. “The ETHOS Awards remind us that our mission moves forward because people choose, every day, to lead with purpose and heart.”

Mara was recognized for his leadership in accessible and inclusive education. Nominators described a colleague who pairs technical expertise with humility and care, creating learning environments where students and peers feel supported and heard. According to nominators, this ETHOS award winner “does nothing halfway — and is all in, every time,” and “makes every person feel heard, never minimizing anyone’s ideas.”

Colleagues praised Mara’s learner-centered approach to course design and his commitment to accessibility, noting his investment in professional development and national leadership in inclusive design. As one nominator said, “His contributions may be invisible to many, but his impact is undeniable.”

Mitchell was recognized for her role in fostering community and connection across the college. Nominators highlighted her ability to build bridges among students, alumni, faculty, staff and donors, while consistently centering people in her work. They described a colleague who “brings care, compassion and humor to every committee meeting,” “always volunteers first,” and “sees the best in those she writes about — and helps others see it too.”

Mitchell was also recognized for her creativity and innovation, from expanding the college’s social media presence to collaborating with students on meaningful storytelling. One nominator praised her photography skills, writing, “She gently accommodates disorganization and reluctance, and somehow still captures the most flattering, thoughtful images.”

As one nominator wrote, “Her professionalism should be celebrated, and her partnership should be a model for others.”