The 10th annual Oregon State University Ecampus Awards recognize seven outstanding faculty and university partners who contribute to the development and ongoing support of world-class learning experiences for Oregon State’s online students.
Ecampus Innovation Awards
The Ecampus Innovation Award recognizes innovation in online courses in the fields of design, pedagogy and media development.
Alina Padilla-Miller
A senior Instructor In the College of Liberal Arts, Alina exemplifies online innovation by integrating authentic media production practices directly into her courses to enhance the student experience. In her New Media Communications 383 course, Field Production, she keeps pace with the rapidly evolving media landscape by curating contemporary examples to share with students and engaging them in creating authentic, publishable content.
In her NMC 418 course, Viral Content, Alina provides cutting-edge examples and design projects to help students develop content and strategize about how to make it go viral. Alina has partnered with Ecampus on 14 course developments and redevelopments since 2018, consistently bringing enthusiasm and commitment to innovation in online course design.
Kathryn Younger
Through collaborative work with multiple Ecampus teams, Kathryn demonstrates outstanding online innovation to create engaging, highly technical learning experiences for her online students. As a senior instructor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, her work features creative solutions such as custom animations to support complex biological processes and intentionally staged projects that scaffold skill development in Animal Sciences 316.
She made thoughtful use of custom Ecampus tools such as the Group Finder to enhance student collaboration and feedback in ANS 315, a new Seeking Solutions Core Education course. And in ANS 317, she is translating a laboratory-based course into a hands-on lab experience for online students. Her work has resulted in courses that are both technologically sophisticated and pedagogically sound.
Ecampus Appreciation Awards
The Ecampus Appreciation Award recognizes outstanding campus partners who have worked with Ecampus to make a substantial, positive impact on online programs and students.
Cori Benz
Cori, the College of Engineering‘s director of onilne programs, has been an exceptional partner in advancing online education through her leadership in supporting multiple civil and construction engineering programs that are delivered online. Her thoroughness, responsiveness and consistent follow-through ensure high-quality outcomes.
She actively supports College of Engineering faculty and Ecampus teams by connecting instructors to timely resources, championing Quality Matters practices and personally modeling engagement through completion of the Applying the QM Rubric training. Her collaborative spirit, proactive problem-solving and commitment to quality has made a lasting and meaningful impact on OSU’s engineering students who learn online.
Jon Metcalf
As a senior technical engineer in Oregon State’s Office of Enrollment Management Information Technology. Jon embodies the spirit of the Ecampus Appreciation Award through his exceptional collaboration, technical expertise and unwavering support of Ecampus staff and online students. He is a trusted partner who consistently goes above and beyond to diagnose and resolve complex Slate and integration issues, communicating clearly and following through reliably in high-pressure situations.
His advocacy for online learners moving through the admissions process, thoughtful problem-solving and commitment to ensuring staff have the tools and access they need makes a tangible impact on OSU’s online students.
Four of the 2026 Ecampus Award winners pose with their plaques on OSU’s Corvallis campus. From left to right are Cori Benz, Jon Metcalf, Tyler McFadden and Alina Padilla-Miller.
Student Choice Awards
The 2026 Ecampus Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement Awards recognize three faculty members who exemplify excellence in online teaching and student engagement, as determined by nominations from current online students.
This year, nearly 175 students nominated 116 faculty members for this award.
The winners of the 2026 Ecampus Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement Awards are Ameer Almuaybid in the College of Liberal Arts; Tyler McFadden in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences; and Jeff Tucker in the College of Education.
Ameer Almuaybid
Ameer — an instructor in the School of Psychological Science — earned this award for creating a learning environment where students feel genuinely supported and capable of succeeding. In their nominations, students repeatedly shared how Ameer’s empathy and understanding of students’ real‑life challenges helped them feel valued. His flexible, respectful communication built a strong sense of belonging, while his thoughtful structure motivated students to stay engaged and take ownership of their learning.
At the same time, Ameer brings an energy and enthusiasm that makes learning exciting. One student wrote that Ameer “challenged students to reach their potential by setting clear expectations and fostering an environment that balanced support with academic rigor.” Another wrote, “His helpful approach makes me want to do well, not feel like I have to.”
Tyler McFadden
Tyler was nominated by students in part because of the meaningful connections he builds and the steady support he offers throughout their academic journeys. Students describe the instructor and interim director of the CEOAS environmental sciences undergraduate program as engaging, approachable and consistently willing to make time for conversations about coursework, their majors and future opportunities. His genuine interest in students’ goals helps them feel comfortable seeking guidance as they move through their undergraduate experience.
Students also highlight Tyler’s thoughtful habit of remembering them from term to term. This lasting sense of recognition helps students feel seen as individuals and reflects the care he brings to his role as an instructor. One student wrote, “Absolutely my favorite professor since having transferred to OSU. … A passionate educator who I’m looking forward to meeting in person when I graduate in June.”
Jeff Tucker
Known as Dr. T to students, Jeff received nominations for the thoughtful balance he brings to his teaching, grounding his courses in strong ethical principles while also offering a practical view of the complexities of therapeutic work. Students shared that he is both engaging and academically challenging, and they consistently noted his quick, compassionate responses whenever they reached out for support or clarification.
Students also emphasized that Jeff shares his professional experience transparently, welcomes questions about client work and frequently goes out of his way to offer additional resources and guidance. One student wrote, “Dr. Tucker made me feel as though we were colleagues working in the same field, with the goal being improving the quality of care for clients. He offered fantastic and constructive feedback that made each supervision session feel valuable, not just for me but for my clients.”
To discover how Oregon State faculty members and university partners develop award-winning online learning experiences, connect with the Ecampus team and explore the support resources available to you.
