{"id":3011,"date":"2026-05-07T06:57:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:57:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=3011"},"modified":"2026-05-07T06:57:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T13:57:55","slug":"2026-ecampus-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/2026-ecampus-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Oregon State University faculty and staff members earn online education awards"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019s online students.<\/p>\n<h2>Ecampus Innovation Awards<\/h2>\n<p>The Ecampus Innovation Award recognizes innovation in online courses in the fields of design, pedagogy and media development.<\/p>\n<h3>Alina Padilla-Miller<\/h3>\n<p>A senior Instructor In the <a href=\"https:\/\/liberalarts.oregonstate.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">College of Liberal Arts<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h3>Kathryn Younger<\/h3>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/agsci.oregonstate.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">College of Agricultural Sciences<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<div class=\"intrinsic-container intrinsic-container-16x9\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px;\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"744\" height=\"419\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/q3aiW817kz0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Ecampus Appreciation Awards<\/h2>\n<p>The Ecampus Appreciation Award recognizes outstanding campus partners who have worked with Ecampus to make a substantial, positive impact on online programs and students.<\/p>\n<h3>Cori Benz<\/h3>\n<p>Cori, the <a href=\"https:\/\/engineering.oregonstate.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">College of Engineering<\/a>&#8216;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.<\/p>\n<p>She actively supports College of Engineering faculty and Ecampus teams by connecting instructors to timely resources, championing <a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/faculty\/qm\/\">Quality Matters<\/a> 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\u2019s engineering students who learn online.<\/p>\n<h3>Jon Metcalf<\/h3>\n<p>As a senior technical engineer in Oregon State&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/enrollmentmanagement.oregonstate.edu\/demit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Office of Enrollment Management Information Technology<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s online students.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_3012\" class=\"wp-caption wp-caption-580 alignnone\" style=\"width: 580px\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3012\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF2026-award-recipients-800x450-1.jpg?resize=580%2C326&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Four Oregon State faculty and staff members stand on a brick plaza outdoors, each holding a black award plaque, with trees and a bench in the background. From left to right: Cori Benz, Jon Metcalf, Tyler McFadden and Alina Padilla-Miller.\" width=\"580\" height=\"326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF2026-award-recipients-800x450-1.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF2026-award-recipients-800x450-1.jpg?resize=320%2C180&amp;ssl=1 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Four of the 2026 Ecampus Award winners pose with their plaques on OSU&#8217;s Corvallis campus. From left to right are Cori Benz, Jon Metcalf, Tyler McFadden and Alina Padilla-Miller.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2>Student Choice Awards<\/h2>\n<p>The 2026 <strong>Ecampus Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement Awards<\/strong> recognize three faculty members who exemplify excellence in online teaching and student engagement, as determined by nominations from current online students.<\/p>\n<p>This year, nearly 175 students nominated 116 faculty members for this award.<\/p>\n<p>The winners of the 2026 Ecampus Excellence in Online Teaching and Student Engagement Awards are <strong>Ameer Almuaybid<\/strong> in the College of Liberal Arts; <strong>Tyler McFadden<\/strong> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/ceoas.oregonstate.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences<\/a>; and <strong>Jeff Tucker<\/strong> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/education.oregonstate.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">College of Education<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>Ameer Almuaybid<\/h3>\n<p>Ameer \u2014 an instructor in the School of Psychological Science \u2014 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\u2019s empathy and understanding of students\u2019 real\u2011life 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.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, Ameer brings an energy and enthusiasm that makes learning exciting. One student wrote that Ameer \u201cchallenged students to reach their potential by setting clear expectations and fostering an environment that balanced support with academic rigor.\u201d Another wrote, \u201cHis helpful approach makes me want to do well, not feel like I have to.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Tyler McFadden<\/h3>\n<p>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\u2019 goals helps them feel comfortable seeking guidance as they move through their undergraduate experience.<\/p>\n<p>Students also highlight Tyler\u2019s 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, \u201cAbsolutely my favorite professor since having transferred to OSU. \u2026 A passionate educator who I&#8217;m looking forward to meeting in person when I graduate in June.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Jeff Tucker<\/h3>\n<p>Known as Dr. T to students, Jeff\u00a0received 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.<\/p>\n<p>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, \u201cDr. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"rfi-button\" class=\"button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/faculty\/\">Get started today<\/a><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 4<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minute read<\/span><\/span>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\u2019s online students.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":3018,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,6,9,679],"tags":[374,205,180,160,75],"class_list":["post-3011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all","category-ecampus","category-faculty","category-leadership-and-innovation","tag-college-of-agricultural-sciences","tag-college-of-earth-ocean-and-atmospheric-sciences","tag-college-of-education","tag-college-of-engineering","tag-college-of-liberal-arts"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/ecampus-awards-2026-thumbnail.webp?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7BNSE-Mz","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2273,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/2023-ecampus-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":3011,"position":0},"title":"OSU faculty, staff lauded for commitment to online student experience","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"May 10, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"For the seventh year in a row, Ecampus presented its Ecampus Awards. The 2023 awardees included six OSU faculty and staff partners who exemplify the Oregon State commitment to student success and course innovation. Read more about each faculty member and the university's five instructors who received Quality Matters certifications\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Ecampus award winners stand together for a photo. From left: Blake Hausman, Doug Reese, Noah Buckley, Marc Curtis, Lynn Greenough.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF-2023-Award-Winners.jpg?fit=800%2C505&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF-2023-Award-Winners.jpg?fit=800%2C505&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF-2023-Award-Winners.jpg?fit=800%2C505&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/FF-2023-Award-Winners.jpg?fit=800%2C505&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2542,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/2024-ecampus-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":3011,"position":1},"title":"Seven Oregon State instructors commended with Ecampus Awards","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"May 13, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Seven Ecampus faculty were highlighted for their commitment to the Ecampus experience \u2013 one that centers on innovation and student success. Read more about them and their awards to get an understanding of what Ecampus values most.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"A group of seven individuals stands in a row outdoors under a covered walkway, each holding a small black plaque with their faculty forum awards","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Faculty-Forum-Awardees-Group-Photo-smaller.jpg?fit=1200%2C769&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Faculty-Forum-Awardees-Group-Photo-smaller.jpg?fit=1200%2C769&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Faculty-Forum-Awardees-Group-Photo-smaller.jpg?fit=1200%2C769&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Faculty-Forum-Awardees-Group-Photo-smaller.jpg?fit=1200%2C769&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Faculty-Forum-Awardees-Group-Photo-smaller.jpg?fit=1200%2C769&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1391,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/2020-ecampus-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":3011,"position":2},"title":"Oregon State faculty, staff earn awards for online learning innovation, engagement","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"May 6, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"At OSU Ecampus, we partner with nearly 1,000 Oregon State faculty members each year, and we constantly stand\u00a0in awe of their expertise and innovation. The annual Oregon State Ecampus Awards recognize our outstanding partners who go above and beyond. This year, we honor five faculty and staff members who demonstrate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/maxresdefault.jpeg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1746,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/ecampus-honors-faculty-staff-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":3011,"position":3},"title":"OSU Ecampus honors faculty, staff for commitment to online learning and students","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"May 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Oregon State Ecampus Awards showcase OSU Ecampus faculty and staff commitment to online education, student success and course development. Through innovation, iteration and integrity, these Ecampus partners take on life's biggest challenge: shaping this world's future through education.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2021-05-05-at-8.42.41-AM.png?fit=1200%2C693&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2777,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/2025-ecampus-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":3011,"position":4},"title":"13 Oregon State faculty and employee partners honored with Ecampus Awards","author":"Tyler Hansen","date":"May 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The ninth annual Oregon State University Ecampus Awards recognize 13 outstanding faculty and university partners who contribute to the development and ongoing support of world-class online learning experiences for Oregon State\u2019s distance students.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;All Stories&quot;","block_context":{"text":"All Stories","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/all\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Nine Oregon State University faculty members and support employees stand in an outdoor breezeway while holding award plaques.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/2025-ff-award-winners.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/2025-ff-award-winners.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/2025-ff-award-winners.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/2025-ff-award-winners.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2008,"url":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/2022-ecampus-awards\/","url_meta":{"origin":3011,"position":5},"title":"OSU faculty, staff to receive awards from Ecampus for dedication to student experience","author":"Carly Fredericks","date":"May 5, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The 2022 Ecampus Awards celebrate OSU faculty and staff excellence and commitment to student success through superior online experiences.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Awards&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Awards","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/category\/in-the-news\/awards\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-26-at-2.31.09-PM-e1651604357919.png?fit=800%2C441&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-26-at-2.31.09-PM-e1651604357919.png?fit=800%2C441&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-26-at-2.31.09-PM-e1651604357919.png?fit=800%2C441&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/assets\/Screen-Shot-2022-04-26-at-2.31.09-PM-e1651604357919.png?fit=800%2C441&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/86"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3011"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3011\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3018"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}