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“This work embodies my conviction that teaching is an ever-evolving endeavor,” Jessica Leveto, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology at Kent State University at Ashtabula, wrote in a statement about her teaching.

Leveto's philosophy of teaching is that it requires compassion, understanding and patience. When mastered, it can create a transformative experience for students. This approach to education helped Leveto earn the 2025 Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award.  

“I think the initial shock was when I found out I was in the top 10,” Leveto said. “Between the nomination and them coming to the room with the balloons and goodies, it was a surprise.”

The Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award is sponsored by the Kent State Alumni Association and the University Teaching Council. This new award, combining the former Distinguished and Outstanding Teaching Awards, honors all full-time and part-time faculty and is presented to four individuals who demonstrate extraordinary teaching in the classroom and a commitment to impacting the lives of students.  

Leveto was notified that she was a finalist for the award and asked to compile a portfolio of student evaluations, letters of recommendation and her personal teaching statement.

“I think that the best part was putting together the portfolio,” Leveto said. “I was able to connect with students that I hadn’t talked to in a while and to reflect on my teaching over the years.”

In her teaching statement, Leveto acknowledges her students' tenacity as a driving factor for her teaching style.

“My students are extraordinary; they pursue education despite what might be described as obstacles,” Leveto wrote. “What may appear as barriers are, in fact, conditions that sharpen their focus, resilience and curiosity.”

Living by the teaching philosophy of “relational trust as the foundation,” Leveto emphasizes authenticity in the classroom by creating a space where students can discuss topics while remaining true to themselves.

“I have found that over the years, having students really think about who they are and who they bring to the classroom is really important,” Leveto told Kent State Today. “When a student talks about how they see what we’re learning and how it’s going to impact them, they see connections.”

For one student, Leveto’s teaching philosophy truly showed through the practices in the classroom.  

“Dr. Leveto embodies the true essence of a transformative educator,” wrote a student nominator. “She consistently prioritizes students in her teaching approach, recognizing when traditional methods need to evolve to promote fair access to success.”

In addition to encouraging students to present their most authentic selves, Leveto cultivates reflection and community-building into her teaching.

“I think we’re all just running so fast, and we don’t stop to reflect,” Leveto said. “Digesting what we learn and how that aligns with who we are, who we’ve become and who we’ve been is really important.”

Students have found Leveto’s approach to community-building and reflection to be immensely influential.  

“In addition to her excellence in teaching and mentorship, Dr. Leveto has made a profound impact on the broader community,” wrote a student nominator. “She continuously champions equity and inclusion, ensuring that opportunities for growth and advancement are accessible to students of diverse backgrounds.”

While pursuing her Ph.D. at Kent State, Leveto was a single mother raising her son, who was five when she started and 12 by the time she graduated, a journey that resonated with students through comfort and inspiration.

“As a mother-scholar myself, seeing someone navigate both roles with strength and grace was deeply impactful,” wrote another student nominator.

Leveto and the other honorees and finalists were acknowledged at the University Teaching Council’s 31st Annual Conference Celebrating College Teaching on Oct. 24, and she was surprised by the award, and even more so when, while reserving seats, her son’s fiancée revealed that he would be attending the ceremony.

“I was giving her directions to where it was, and she’s like, oh, Liam [Leveto’s son] knows,” Leveto said. “I said ‘wait, Liam’s going?’ and I immediately cried. I didn’t realize how important it was that they came.”

Since Leveto’s son was alongside her through her doctoral program, Leveto acknowledged that her roles of being a mother and a professor strengthened their family connection.

“It’s because I was a mom that I was able to lean into both roles and accept the fact that those are part of my identity,” Leveto said. “They’re going to come through in everything that I do.”

After the event, Leveto and her family walked around Kent State to reflect on the time they spent on campus.

“There was a full circle moment because Kent State has been such a big part of our lives,” Leveto said. “I didn’t realize until we were sitting there that the last time that he and I were on campus together was when I graduated.”

Learn more about the Glenn Frank Distinguished Teaching Award and its recipients.

Learn more about Kent State Ashtabula’s academic programs.

Glenn W. Frank was a Kent State professor in the Department of Geology from 1953-1984. He was widely known as a strong teacher, a Kent State University alumnus, and an early winner of the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 1969, as well as a recipient of the Kent State President’s Medal in 1986. Frank was widely thought of as a hero, having convinced the students to leave the commons after the May 4, 1970, shootings.