Three Edison State Employees Honored With SOCHE Awards

The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education has announced its 2025-26 Excellence Award Winners, which include Edison State Community College employees Jessica Edwards with a Campus Impact Award, Christina Raterman with a Staff Excellence Award, and Leah Wells with a Faculty Excellence Award.

Edison State nominated Edwards, Raterman, and Wells for the awards based on the institution’s criteria, with special consideration of demonstrated excellence and performance throughout the past academic year.

Edwards, Director of Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Innovation, has demonstrated exceptional leadership by advancing innovative pedagogy, supporting faculty development, and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement. Through targeted initiatives and evidence-based decision-making, she enhances instructional effectiveness, positively impacts the student experience, and drives student achievement. Her leadership and daily work help Edison State remain true to its mission of helping students achieve their dreams.

Feedback from one student said, “Mrs. Edwards really shows that she cares about students’ opinions. While working on a new course and instructor survey, she took time to ask students what we thought before making changes. It felt good to be included and know our feedback mattered. It was honestly cool to see someone ask for input first, instead of just changing things without us.”

Director of Advancement Christina Raterman shows staff excellence through her innovative and sustained impact on community, institutional, and student success. She co-facilitates the Paul G. Duke Academy, shaping the development of community leaders through thoughtful programming and mentorship. As a co‑developer of the Edison State Alumni Achievement Awards, she helped create a meaningful platform to celebrate student success and institutional legacy. Her professionalism, collaborative approach, and positive presence make her a trusted leader and role model.

Raterman consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to student success through her student-centered approach and high-quality work. She goes beyond expectations by identifying improvements, enhancing processes, and ensuring students receive meaningful support. Her reliability, professionalism, and accountability make her trusted and valued. Raterman also builds strong relationships and leads by example. She demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, and respect for others while representing the institution with integrity.

Wells, Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of Associate Degree in Nursing, fosters clinical confidence and professional integrity among future nurses through engaging, student-centered teaching. Her dedicated service strengthens departmental collaboration and supports student success beyond the classroom. Wells consistently models compassion, rigor, and leadership, positively impacting colleagues, students, and the broader college community through mentorship, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Her students say, “Mrs. Wells is always approachable, ready to help, and creates a positive learning environment. She is a very knowledgeable and passionate instructor. I enjoyed fourth semester with Mrs. Wells. It is a little scary at first, because they are making you more independent and you have to do a lot of things on your own, but it is the only way we are going to learn before getting out into the real world.”

Edwards, Raterman, and Wells were among colleagues from 21 of SOCHE’s member institutions honored, including Antioch College, Central State University, Miami University, Sinclair College, the University of Dayton, Wilmington College, and Wright State University.

Formed in 1967, SOCHE is a consortium of colleges and universities in Ohio that promotes educated, employed, and engaged citizens. SOCHE is a trusted and recognized leader for higher collaboration, working with colleges, universities, and industry experts to transform communities and economies through education and employment. For more information about SOCHE, visit www.soche.org.