Michelle Anderson, Jesse Buxton named 2025 Ohio State Distinguished Staff Award recipients

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michelle Anderson, program manager in the Office of Faculty and Staff Affairs at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), and Jesse Buxton, fiscal officer for Ohio State University Extension, have been named recipients of Ohio State’s 2025 Distinguished Staff Award — the university’s highest staff recognition.

Presented annually to only 12 individuals across Ohio State, the Distinguished Staff Award honors exceptional staff whose outstanding service, leadership, and dedication embody the university’s shared values.

Michelle Anderson: A transformative leader in faculty and staff support

Since joining CFAES in 2019, Anderson has played a vital role in strengthening faculty and staff affairs. She leads college-wide processes for promotion and tenure, manages leadership development programs, and supports onboarding efforts that impact departments across the college. 

“Michelle has been instrumental in building our Office of Faculty and Staff Affairs from the ground up,” said Tracy Kitchel, senior associate dean and director of faculty and staff affairs. “Her ability to streamline operations, solve problems creatively, and foster an inclusive environment has transformed how we support faculty and staff.”

Anderson manages 25–35 promotion and tenure cases annually across 11 academic units, facilitates junior faculty programming, and led the early adoption of the Interfolio Faculty Activity Reporting system, helping CFAES integrate complex Extension roles into the platform.

“Michelle brings clarity, patience, and professionalism to everything she does,” said Ian Sheldon, professor and former CFAES Promotion and Tenure Committee chair. “She ensured our review process ran smoothly and with integrity, allowing us to focus on thorough evaluation without worrying about logistics. Her work has raised the bar for administrative excellence.”

Jesse Buxton: Championing statewide support through innovation and service

As fiscal officer for OSU Extension, CFAES’ statewide outreach arm, Buxton supports operations across all 88 Ohio counties. His leadership has streamlined financial processes, strengthened communication, and improved the work experience for support staff statewide.

“Jesse’s impact is both deep and far-reaching,” said David Civittolo, interim associate dean and director of OSU Extension. “Across all 88 counties, he has created systems and spaces that promote clarity, collaboration, and consistency in our financial operations. His leadership is humble but powerful, and his commitment to service is unmatched. Jesse embodies the values we hold dear at Ohio State, and this recognition is incredibly well-deserved.”

Buxton hosts regular virtual office hours, launched an Extension-wide Teams channel, and played a lead role in implementing shared accounting systems. He also developed customized budget templates tailored to county-level needs, increasing transparency and efficiency throughout Extension’s complex statewide structure.

“Jesse listens, responds, and genuinely cares about helping others succeed,” said Jeff McCutcheon, OSU Extension area leader. “He’s a behind-the-scenes force whose work has a direct impact on our ability to serve Ohio communities. His innovation and commitment are exceptional.”