OSU-Tulsa Names 2022 Outstanding Faculty Award Recipients

Dr. Ron Cox, OSU professor and extension specialist in the College of Education and Human Sciences, and Dr. Sarah Johnson, clinical assistant professor of counseling and counseling psychology in the College of Education and Human Sciences were recently commended with OSU-Tulsa’s highest honors at the President’s 2022 faculty service awards.

President’s Outstanding Research Award

Cox, whose multidisciplinary approach to research formed the basis of the highly successful ¡Unidos Se Puede! (United We Can!) program, was awarded the 2022 OSU-Tulsa President’s Outstanding Research Award. Since joining the OSU faculty in 2007 he has become a national leader in translational research that promotes health and resilience in diverse families.

“I am elated to be selected as the 2022 OSU-Tulsa President’s Outstanding Research Award,” Cox said. “There are so many excellent researchers doing innovative work at OSU-Tulsa, that I feel truly honored to recognized among them.”

His research laid the foundation for the ¡Unidos! program to help reduce high-risk behaviors and increase academic achievement among Latino youth, by addressing chronic stress and its causes. His contribution to the program has made a significant impact in the lives of families statewide.

“The work my team and I are doing with Hispanic immigrant youth and families is new and will likely make impacts not only in the here and now but, it has the potential to impact future generations as well.  Our work on shared language erosion has the potential, I believe, to be paradigm shifting in the field.”

A favorite among dozens of students and junior faculty for his mentorship, Cox is committed to building the next generation of researchers.

Cox is also the George Kaiser Family Foundation Chair in Child and Family Resilience and was the first director of the OSU Center for Family Resilience, housed at OSU-Tulsa, where he established it as a hub of applied research focused on improving the lives of Tulsans and Oklahomans.

President’s Outstanding Teaching Award

Johnson is the recipient of the 2022 OSU-Tulsa President’s Outstanding Teaching Award. In her role as clinical assistant professor of counseling and counseling psychology in the College of Education and Human Sciences, her influence as an educator and mentor is far-reaching.

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized, particularly when so many of my colleagues are just as worthy of recognition,” Johnson said. “I am passionate about my teaching and put a lot of time and effort into doing so effectively, so it is wonderful to know that my teaching is having an impact.”

Her students speak glowingly about her engaging teaching style, kindness and high standards for learning. She is an advocate for students’ learning and professional development, ensuring they have the support they need in their internships and connecting them with resources related to their areas of interest.

“I am passionate about creating a classroom that allows students to be challenged while also feeling comfortable enough to express themselves,” said Johnson.

Johnson is also director of the Al Carlozzi Center for Counseling at OSU-Tulsa, where counseling master's students complete their internships. The Center provides low-cost counseling services for OSU-Tulsa students, faculty and staff, as well as members of the Tulsa community. Additionally, she works closely with OSU-Tulsa’s Student Services and Wellness staff to support the mental health of students.

Cox and Johnson were honored for their extraordinary efforts for students at OSU-Tulsa's annual State of the Institution Update, where both were presented with a monetary gift and award medallion. They will serve as Grand Marshals at the Spring 2023 Graduation Ceremony.