The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences was well-represented among the 2025 National Association of Social Workers Ohio Regional Award Recipients, with 11 outstanding alumni and one standout student honored. They were celebrated at the NASW Ohio 2026 Social Work Celebration Gala March 14 in Columbus. The alumni and student honored were:
- Ayowole Samuel Ajiboye, MSW Student of the Year, Region 3 (Cleveland area)
- Ashley Dudinsky (SAS ’18), Outstanding Service to NASW Ohio, Region 3 (Cleveland area)
- M. Frierson Therapy | A Healing Space, Agency of the Year, Region 3 (Cleveland area), owned by Me’Chele D. Frierson (SAS ’09)
- Nichole Geibel (SAS ’19), Outstanding Service to NASW Ohio, Region 2 (Akron area)
- Heather M. Lambert (SAS ’22), Emerging Leader, Region 2 (Akron area)
- Carrilyn E. Long (SAS ’89), Lifetime Achievement, Region 8 (Canton area)
- Krystal Martin (SAS ’02), Social Worker of the Year, Region 5 (Columbus area)
- Linda Rowlett (SAS ’10), Social Worker of the Year, Region 1 (Toledo area)
- Karen Slovak, PhD (SAS ’96; GRS ’97, social welfare), Outstanding Service to NASW Ohio, Region 8 (Canton area)
- Bryanta Spencer (SAS ’13), Social Worker of the Year, Region 3 (Cleveland area)
- Robert Terry (SAS ’95), Lifetime Achievement, Region 2 (Akron area)
- Kathleen Usaj (SAS ’95), Social Worker of the Year, Region 4 (Youngstown area)
