The Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) recognizes the importance of acknowledging the outstanding faculty and staff at its member institutions. Wilmington College’s honorees for the 2025-26 academic year are Nancy McCormick, Campus Impact Award; Sonja Wilkin, Staff Excellence Award; and Steve Cukovecki, Faculty Excellence Award.
McCormick, the College’s campus minister, exemplifies the essence of what it means to positively influence a campus community. Her work has been described as not only impactful but also transformative and rooted in a steadfast commitment to the Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship — the so-called “Quaker SPICES.”
During her 10 years as campus minister, she has led a student immersion experience during the College’s Spring Break in Belize, where students serve and build relationships at Belize Friends School in an underserved community. These experiences are often life-changing for the students who participate with a renewed sense of purpose, empathy and global awareness.
Sonja Wilkin
Wilkin, administrative assistant to the vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, is much more than her title indicates. Her willingness to tackle institutional processes and procedures is admired campuswide. From developing grant reporting processes and institutional forms to assisting with academic budgeting and instituting a new course catalog and syllabus management system, she makes contributions that ease workflow, streamline procedures, and minimize inefficiencies. She accomplishes all these tasks with customer service in mind and always has a smile on her face.
Steve Cukovecki
Cukovecki, program director, assistant professor of sport management and the faculty representative for enrollment, is passionate about his field. He is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of professionals in sport management. Cukovecki creates a dynamic and engaging learning environment in which students are encouraged to explore their interests, refine their skills and pursue their career goals with confidence. He also enriches students’ academic journeys by leading them to work at major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, the NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament, College Bowl Games and more. He often pairs those real-world experiences with invaluable networking opportunities, which have led to students securing internships and employment.
The Dayton-based SOCHE is a consortium of some three-dozen colleges and universities that connects students, educators, government, businesses, employers and other organizations to share information, access professional development opportunities and close workforce gaps through increasing internships and research projects.
TOP PHOTO: Nancy McCormick