Ange Leone, Senior Graduate Program Coordinator in The Ohio State University Department of Design, has recently been recognized for her leadership and commitment to community care through two notable 2026 honors that reflect her impact at both the departmental and university levels.

Leone received the 2026 Graduate Coordinator Wellness Program of the Year Award, presented by Ohio State’s Graduate School. The award recognizes innovative wellness programming developed by graduate coordinators that has a meaningful and lasting impact on graduate student well‑being.

Leone was honored for her initiative, Co‑Designing the Future of Graduate School Wellness, which centers intellectual, emotional, and social well‑being through a design‑thinking framework. The program invites graduate students to reflect on the Ten Dimensions of Wellness, identify challenges specific to graduate education, and collaboratively envision strategies that support balance, resilience, and connection. By emphasizing participation and reflection, the program aligns design practice with a culture of care for graduate students navigating complex academic and personal demands.

In addition to this university‑wide recognition, Leone was elected as the 2026–27 Membership Co‑Chair for the Association of Staff and Faculty Women Plus (ASFW+). In this role, she joins the organization’s Executive Board, where she will help guide efforts to expand engagement, strengthen member connections, and support inclusive professional development opportunities across campus.

ASFW+ is open to all Ohio State staff and faculty and fosters a welcoming community that champions the professional growth of individuals who identify as women and their allies. As Membership Co‑Chair, Leone will contribute to shaping outreach and engagement strategies that ensure the organization remains accessible, responsive, and supportive of a diverse university community.

Together, these recognitions highlight Leone’s approach to academic service—one grounded in empathy, collaboration, and systems thinking. Her work within the Department of Design reflects the ways design values can extend beyond the classroom, influencing institutional practices that support well‑being, leadership, and connection.

Leone’s accomplishments underscore the essential role staff play in shaping student experiences and campus culture, and they reflect the Department of Design’s broader commitment to people‑centered leadership and inclusive excellence.