Spring 2022 Graduates

Congratulations to the 30 Arts Administration, Education and Policy spring 2022 graduates! As we say goodbye to these students we welcome them to our alumni - a rich and vibrant group of arts practitioners, professionals and administrators paving the future of the arts in a wide range of arts education and policy related fields. We wish them the best and look forward to their future successes!

Commencement at The Ohio State University is a festive and joyous occasion at which family and guests are welcome to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating class. Spring 2022 commencement will take place Sunday, May 8th in Ohio Stadium at 12:00 PM. The university will welcome Patrick P. Gelsinger, CEO, Intel Corporation, as spring commencement speaker. Visit Ohio State's Commencement page to learn additional information about commencement.

Spring 2022 Graduates

Debra Hardy

Degree: PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy
Specialization: Art Education
Awards and recognition:

2021 Graduate Associate Teaching Award (GATA)
2021 AAEP Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate Award
2021 AERI Graduate Research Award

Who was your greatest mentor? "My greatest mentors were all of the amazing other graduate students--both at OSU and at other universities--that I met along the way throughout my journey. Realizing the power in raising one another up, cheering each other on, and seeing and recognizing one another's talents has been a true gift. There's nothing more powerful than genuinely believing in one another."

Heesung Hur

Degree: PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy

Miranda Koffey

Black and white photo of woman smiling at camera

Degree: PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy
Specialization: Interdisciplinary specialization in University and College Teaching; Diversity, Intercultural, and Community Engagement Certificate
Awards and recognition:

2021 Graduate Research in Art Education (GRAE) presenter
2020-2021 Graduate Teaching Fellowship
2020 AAEP Outstanding Graduate Teaching Associate Award

Who was your greatest mentor? "Dr. Shari Savage is my greatest mentor. I could easily fill a collection of books with the knowledge she has imparted, and maybe one day will under one of the dozens of working titles we discussed during my time here."

Jim O'Donnell

Hometown: Jupiter, Florida
Degree: PhD in Arts Administration, Education and Policy
Specialization: Art Education
Awards and recognition:

2022 AAEP Manuel Barkan Dissertation Fellowship Award
2019 College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Student Award for Teaching Excellence
2016-2017 University Fellowship Award

What is something positive you have learned about yourself? “One week before I was scheduled to begin visiting classrooms to collect data for my dissertation, the COVID-19 pandemic ended in-person teaching around the world. That forced me to redesign my study, re-pilot, and go through the entire IRB process a second time. As a result, I learned that I’m capable of more than I imagined, and that I couldn’t have done it without the people I love. Never give-up, never surrender.”

Rebecca Bogantz

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education

Alexandria Bright

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education

Grace Byrne

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education

Celeste Carpenter

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education
Who was your greatest mentor? "My greatest mentor and support was Dr. Ketal Petal, who not only encouraged me to reach out, but always took the time to offer me genuine compassion and guidance."

Margaret Derrig

Hometown: Medina, Ohio
Degree: Bachelor of Art Education
Awards and Recognition:

Honors in the Arts
Cum Laude
Dean's List 7 times

Who was your greatest mentor? "My greatest mentor was Dr. Ketal Patel. Her kindness, encouragement, and support throughout the past two and a half years is what helped me get through all of the challenges I faced due to the pandemic."

Madison Gladman

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education

Rebecca Irmen

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education

Allie Johnson

Hometown: Worthington, Ohio
Degree: Bachelor of Art Education
Awards and Recognition:

2018-2022 Dean's List
Summa Cum Laude

What is something positive you have learned about yourself? "My time at Ohio State has taught me the importance of cultivating a growth mindset and critical empathy for myself, those around me, and in the classroom. We are all continuously learning and growing! This is a mindset I will take with me far into the future."

Morgan McDonald

Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio
Degree: Bachelor of Art Education
Minor: History of Art
Awards and Recognition:

NAEA OSU Chapter Co-President
Certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Magna Cum Laude
2018-2022 Dean’s List

Who was your greatest mentor? "My greatest mentor is Emma Kindall in the Department of Art. Through painting and drawing courses, she taught me many teaching techniques that not only were helpful to my own creative practice, but became part of my philosophy and style in student teaching. She allowed for self-direction, exploration, and discovery while still providing all the support we needed as artists, students, and humans. I am so grateful to have taken classes with her!"

Sydney Mitchell

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education

Emma Morgan

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education

Sarah Narciso

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education

Kaylie Reynolds

Hometown: Blanchester, Ohio
Degree: Bachelor of Art Education
Minor: General Psychology
Awards and Recognition:

2021 Aida Cannarsa Snow Endowment Award,
2018-2022 Land Grant Scholarship recipient

What is something positive you have learned about yourself? "Over the course of four years, I have learned a lot about myself. The most important thing I have learned is that I am strong enough, I am competent enough, and I have earned this! I am proud of accomplishing this journey as a first-generation college student."

Justin Scherer

Degree: Bachelor of Art Education

Spring 2022 Graduates

Spring 2022 Graduates