Ohio State University Department of Design Alumnus Erik Evensen (MFA Design, 2009, DRD) has been recognized with the Outstanding Research Mentor award at the University of Wisconsin–Stout. Erik is a Professor of Design in the 1,200-student School of Art & Design, and the founding program director for the B.F.A in Illustration. He has taught studio courses in illustration, design drawing, concept art, graphic design, and typography, and graduate seminars in design research, design education, and thesis prep.

The Outstanding Research Mentor award highlights faculty who lead and support significant student research, scholarly, and artistic projects. Evensen's role at UW-Stout has seen him advise 30 MFA thesis projects, as well as undergraduate honors projects, independent initiatives, and class projects focusing on community engagement and enrichment. In particular, he has mentored students in self-publishing projects, collaborations with local non-profits, and developing the first four student-designed murals in the UW System.

As a graphic designer and illustrator, Erik holds several credits in the comics and board game industries. His projects have been featured in The New York Times and The Washington Post, and received recognition from Communication Arts, Graphic Design USA, and the Paul Revere Awards for Graphic Excellence. Prior to entering academia, he worked as a graphic designer and illustrator in New England with clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies through local businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, major and regional publishers, and arts & entertainment organizations. 

Erik was previously recognized with UW-Stout's Outstanding Teaching Award in 2022. He received his MFA in Design Research & Development from Ohio State in 2009. He also holds a BA in Studio Art from the University of New Hampshire, and a Post-baccalaureate Certificate from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. From 2012–2013, he was a visiting faculty member at Ohio State, serving as interim Design Foundations Coordinator and teaching in the Visual Communication Design area.