Central State celebrates faculty, staff with 2024–2025 SOCHE Excellence Awards

Excellence in action: CSU change-makers recognized for transformational impact 

At Central State University, excellence isn’t just a goal — it’s a lived value. It is reflected in every lesson taught, every student mentored, and every initiative launched to build a better future. That unwavering commitment to excellence has once again earned statewide recognition.  

The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) has named its 2024–2025 Excellence Award recipients, honoring individuals who go above and beyond to elevate higher education across the region. Among those honored are three exceptional members of the Central State community: Dr. Nanyi Qiang, Erika Sams, and Dr. Sandi Sumerfield. Each represents the very best of what it means to serve, lead, and inspire at a mission-driven institution like CSU. 

From advancing community engagement through the arts, to driving data-informed improvement in academics, to preparing tomorrow’s educators with care and rigor, these honorees embody the spirit Ohio’s only public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and 1890 Land-Grant Institution.  

Campus Impact Award: Dr. Nanyi Qiang

Dr. Nanyi Qiang, Associate Professor of Piano in the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education's Department of Professional Education and Music, has been named the 2025 Campus Impact Award winner for his outstanding contributions to the musical and cultural life of Central State and the wider Dayton region. A champion for student artistry and community engagement, Dr. Qiang has elevated CSU’s visibility by organizing impactful recitals and educational events that celebrate talent, tradition, and togetherness. 

Q&A with Dr. Nanyi Qiang 

Your work has clearly made a lasting impression on the campus community. What initiatives or contributions are you most proud of that led to this recognition? 

Highlights of my contributions include a well-attended piano studio recital in the 2024 Christmas season. Students of various age groups were featured in this holiday event. To see their happy families surrounding the Paul Robeson Cultural and Performing Arts Center Recital Hall is my proudest moment and all the hard work put into this event finally paid off. 

As an educator and musician, how do you use the arts to foster a sense of connection and impact beyond the classroom? 

Music is the best tool to foster a sense of connection. 

As a proud host of the 2025 Ohio Music Teachers Association Piano Masterclass, I went through the entire process of contacting the guest teacher, connecting participants applications, and operating a very successful educational event serving the local community and musicians. 

What advice would you offer to colleagues who want to make a meaningful and lasting impact at their institution? 

I’d emphasize firstly building connections. For example, organizing my holiday piano recital wasn’t just about performance — it was about bringing families together. Lasting impact often comes from moments that resonate emotionally through student showcases. Secondly, meaningful work grows when we collaborate beyond our immediate circles. Hosting the 2025 Ohio Music Teachers Association Piano Masterclass required coordination with guest teachers and participants from the entire Ohio region. I’d suggest looking for ways to bridge gaps between institutions and external organizations to amplify your work. 

Staff Excellence Award: Erika Sams

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As the 2025 Staff Excellence Award recipient, Erika Sams, Assistant Director of Academic Planning and Assessment in the Division of Academic Affairs, is being recognized for her vital behind-the-scenes role in enhancing academic quality and outcomes across the University. From student evaluations to Title III initiatives, her work ensures that faculty and academic programs receive the support they need to thrive — and that student success remains at the center of every decision. 

A colleague wrote: 

“Erika exemplifies collaboration and professionalism. Her support of assessment and planning across departments helps us all improve. She truly deserves this recognition for her exemplary work.” 

Q&A with Erika Sams 

Your role plays a crucial part in supporting student success behind the scenes. What do you find most rewarding about your work in academic planning and assessment? 

The most rewarding part of my work is knowing that the assessment office plays a key role in supporting teaching, learning, and student evaluation. Our office supports the Institution’s programs and accreditation, while also providing faculty with funds to assist in their professional development. This investment allows faculty to integrate fresh ideas into their classrooms and share them with their colleagues. 

What does this award mean to you personally and professionally? 

It is an honor to receive this recognition. This award reinforces that providing the best service to students, faculty, and your colleagues is rewarded. This is all motivation I need to keep doing what I am doing. 

Faculty Excellence Award: Dr. Sandi Sumerfield

Dr. Sandi Sumerfield, Associate Professor of Reading and Literacy in the Department of Professional Music and Education, received the Faculty Excellence Award for her transformative approach to literacy education. With a student-centered mindset and a passion for research-based instruction, Dr. Sumerfield prepares future educators to unlock the lifelong power of reading. Her mentorship and classroom leadership leave a legacy in the lives of her students and the communities they will serve. 

One student shared, “Dr. Sumerfield’s mentorship kept me at CSU. She’s one of the reasons I’m now pursuing a Master of Education. Her dedication reaches far beyond the classroom.” 

Q&A with Dr. Sandi Sumerfield 

What does this recognition for faculty excellence mean to you as a professor committed to reading and literacy? 

It honestly means so much to me — especially knowing it came from my colleagues. That kind of recognition from people I admire and work with is incredibly humbling. I don’t do this work for awards, but receiving this honor makes me pause and reflect on how meaningful this journey has been. 

My heart is in reading and literacy, and I feel so fortunate to spend my days preparing future teachers to help young children unlock the power of words. To be recognized for something I care so deeply about is both touching and motivating. It reminds me that the quiet, day-to-day work with both my students and colleagues matters. I’m grateful to be part of the community of CSU that values that kind of work. 

Can you share a teaching moment or student success story that reflects your passion for literacy education? 

It’s hard to choose just one moment because what really stands out to me is the trust so many of my students have placed in me as they prepare to become reading teachers themselves. Every semester, I work with students who are gearing up to take the Foundations of Reading test (190). It’s a tough, high-stakes licensure exam that’s required to teach reading in our state, and it can be really intimidating. 

Over the years, I’ve created ‘bootcamp’ sessions and offer one-on-one tutoring to help my students feel more prepared. And I love the text messages I get on certain Friday nights when their score reports drop at 10 p.m. I get texts filled with joy and celebration, and I celebrate right along with them. And when the score isn’t what they hoped for, I encourage them to pause for the weekend, take a breath, and reach out to me on Monday. Then we make a plan and start again — because I believe in them and in their ability. 

Teaching for me isn’t about passing a test. It’s about preparing future educators who will go on to teach children how to read. Knowing I have a hand in mentoring our future educators is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. 

How do you keep your teaching strategies fresh and impactful in a constantly evolving academic environment? 

For me, it always comes back to the core of our work as teachers is service, making sure every student gains the life-changing skills of reading and writing — and removing any barriers that might stand in their way. That mission grounds everything I do. 

Because our students deserve the best we have to offer. Teaching reading and writing isn’t just something we do by instinct — it’s a skill that’s grounded in years of solid research. 

When teachers understand how children learn to read and write, they can make smarter choices about how to support them so every child, no matter their background, has a chance to become a confident, successful citizen. 

I spent 20 of my 40 years in education in the classroom, so I understand firsthand the demands, joys, and challenges that come with working with children. That lived experience shapes how I approach teaching future educators. It helps me connect the dots between reading research, best practices, and the realities my students will face in their own classrooms. I’m constantly reflecting on how to meet the needs of every student I have the privilege of teaching, and I adapt my approach based on what will best serve them. 

I truly love serving our scholars at CSU. What excites me even more is knowing that the time we spend together doesn’t just impact one student — it ripples outward. Over the course of their 35–40-year careers, these future teachers will change the lives of thousands of children. That thought keeps my teaching purposeful, current, and full of hope. 

Our work changes lives for all people. 

Central State University proudly celebrates these dedicated faculty and staff for their leadership, service, and excellence — today, and for generations to come. 

To learn more about the SOCHE Excellence Awards and view the full list of 2024–2025 recipients, visit www.soche.org.