SOCHE honors Wright State staff and faculty leaders for excellence

Three Wright State University employees were recognized by the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) for their outstanding contributions to student success, teaching and campus impact.

Cassie Guard, Karen Lahm and Patrick Sonner received 2025–26 SOCHE Excellence Awards, joining 52 honorees from 21 member institutions across the region. Each member institution selected recipients whose work exemplifies excellence in higher education.

The Wright State honorees reflect the university’s commitment to supporting students, advancing academic excellence and strengthening the campus community.

Supporting student success

Cassie Guard is academic support coordinator in the Boonshoft School of Medicine.

Cassie Guard, academic support coordinator in the Boonshoft School of Medicine, received the Staff Excellence Award for her dedication to student success, service and assessment.

A key member of the Boonshoft School of Medicine’s student support team, Guard oversees compliance requirements including immunizations, background checks, screenings and certifications, helping students stay on track throughout their medical education.

She also advises special student groups, including M.D. in Three students, delayed clerkship entrants, dual-degree candidates and December graduates.

Her commitment to student success was on full display when she played a key role in coordinating the 2026 graduation ceremony, exceeding her formal responsibilities.

“Cassie performs her duties with unwavering dedication, championing each student’s path and uplifting colleagues,” SOCHE said in its award announcement. “Her efforts strengthen systems, teams and outcomes across the institution.”

Advancing teaching and experiential learning

Karen Lahm is professor of sociology and director of the Crime and Justice Studies Program.

Karen Lahm, Ph.D., professor of sociology and director of the Crime and Justice Studies Program, received the Faculty Excellence Award for her achievements in teaching, service and scholarship.

Since becoming director of the Crime and Justice Studies Program in 2015, Lahm has expanded opportunities for experiential learning by supervising student internships and strengthening connections with community partners. She also developed an online pathway for crime and justice studies majors in collaboration with the Wright State–Lake Campus Police Academy and other law enforcement agencies.

To help working professionals continue their education, Lahm implemented prior learning assessment credit for students who have earned an Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy certification.

An active scholar, Lahm has published extensively on gender and crime, prison misconduct and victimization. She also serves as faculty advisor to the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society.

Making a campus impact

Patrick Sonner is director of first-year experiences and lecturer in neuroscience, cell biology and physiology.

Patrick Sonner, Ph.D., director of first-year experiences and lecturer in neuroscience, cell biology and physiology, received the Campus Impact Award for his leadership in student retention and success initiatives.

Sonner oversees Wright State’s First-Year Seminars, working closely with instructors, organizing assessment outcomes and collecting student feedback, successfully contributing to Wright State’s first-year retention initiative. He is now coordinating a new second-year student retention project that will launch in fall 2026.

In addition to his student success work, Sonner has made significant contributions in the classroom and curriculum development. As a lecturer in neuroscience, cell biology and physiology, he directed the undergraduate Physiology and Neuroscience Program and helped create a combined B.S./M.S. in physiology and neuroscience.

Sonner also serves the university through leadership roles beyond the classroom. He has co-chaired the Retention Coordinating Committee and represents Wright State on Ohio Strong Start in Science, a statewide initiative focused on improving student performance in gateway science courses and supporting degree completion in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.