Shala J. Hankison
Bishop Herbert Welch Meritorious Teaching Award (2023)
Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award for Encouragement of Teachers (2016)
2023 Commencement Ceremony Excerpt
Students describe Dr. Shala Hankison as passionate and engaging and appreciate her ability to blend scientific principles with applied concepts and the liberal arts.
Dr. Hankison is passionate about research and involving students in the scientific process. Her research explores the role of animal behavior as an evolutionary force, particularly in fishes. She focuses on how mating behaviors shape population divergence and speciation. Since returning to OWU in 2009 (she is a class of 1995 alumna), Dr. Hankison has published multiple scientific papers, many of them with student co-authors, and enjoys working with students through independent studies and the Summer Science Research Program. She also supervises students through internships at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Ohio Wildlife Center, and the Humane Society of Delaware County.
Dr. Hankison has led travel-learning trips to Tanzania and the Galapagos Islands. She serves in leadership roles for the scientific honor society Sigma Xi and the Animal Behavior Society, and has received funding to support peer mentorship in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) from the American Association of University Women.
2016 Commencement Ceremony Excerpt
I am happy to announce that the winner of the Sherwood Dodge Shankland Award is Dr. Shala Hankison – Associate Professor of Zoology.
Dr. Hankison, please join me at the podium.
Dr. Hankison, an Ohio Wesleyan alumna, is a caring and engaging teacher. One of her colleagues commented: “She is always friendly, generous with her time, patient when students make mistakes, and maintains a sense of humor throughout. … She truly fits the ideal professor of a liberal arts institution.”
One of her students commented: “Truly a wonderful, amazing professor. She goes above and beyond in her role as an educator.”
It is a pleasure to present this award to Dr. Shala Hankison.