NORTH CANTON, Ohio, May 1, 2024 – Stark State College has named its top faculty and staff members for 2023-2024.

Zachary Stockert, welding/maintenance technician for the Physical Plant department, was chosen for the Distinguished Staff Award; Nicole Cleland, associate professor of social science, received the Distinguished Teaching Award; and Audrey Maarschalk, an adjunct professor and an instructional assistant for surgical technology, was chosen for the Adjunct Instructor Excellence in Teaching Award.

Stockert, of Bolivar, has earned certificates and/or licenses in several fields including welding, electrical, heating and cooling, refrigeration and locksmithing. In 2018, he joined Stark State’s physical plant department as a welding/maintenance technician. He has helped in several special projects to improve the campus for students, faculty and staff, and has participated in multiple committees. He is working toward a degree in business. He previously worked as a heating and cooling/refrigeration technician at A&E Factory Service, a G6 code welder and silver brazer for Eleet Cryogenics, and a building and equipment maintenance technician for Arthur Middleton Capital Holdings. He’s a member of Faith Baptist Church and volunteers with community projects and outreach.

Cleland is an associate professor of social science at Stark State. She earned a Ph.D. from The University of Akron in counselor education and supervision. She has a master’s degree from The University of Akron in marriage and family therapy and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mount Union in psychology. Before teaching, she practiced as a licensed supervising professional clinical counselor and marriage and family therapist.

Maarschalk, a Canal Fulton resident, holds a master’s degree in public health and a bachelor’s degree in public health, both from Kaplan University. She also holds an associate of applied science degree in surgical technology and is a certified surgical technologist through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. She has been an adjunct professor and an instructional assistant for surgical technology at Stark State since 2017. She previously worked as an adjunct instructor in surgical technology at Brown Mackie College for five years and worked for four years in the operating room at Summa as a certified surgical technologist. She is also a member of the Association of Surgical Technologists and is a member of the Program Advisory Committee for Surgical Technology at Stark State College.

In addition, the Stark State College Board of Trustees annually bestows Strategic Excellence Awards to recognize and reward employees who consistently exceed expectations and performance in advancing the mission of the College. The 2024 winners are:

• Full-time, student facing: Kayla Klement, Brian Moore, Edmund Priddis and Jane Shier
• Full-time, non-student facing: Juanita Robinson and Pauline Wise
• Management and leadership: Melanie Carr and Peter Trumpower
• Lifetime achievement: Jeffrey Magee