Each year, Stark State College honors faculty and staff who exemplify service and excellence in their work. As the College prepares to announce the 2025-26 honorees, we take this moment to recognize and highlight the individuals who received awards during the 2024-25 academic year.

Distinguished Teaching Award: Linda Remark, Ph.D.
Linda Remark is a professor in reading at Stark State College, where she has been teaching since 2009. She inspires and supports students in developing the skills and confidence needed for academic success. Dr. Remark earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a focus on literacy from Kent State University, a Master of Arts in integrated teaching and learning from The Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Science in middle childhood education from The University of Akron. In 2025, Dr. Remark was the recipient of the Ohio Association of Two-Year Colleges Teacher of the Year Award. Passionate about helping students navigate college-level reading and learning, she creates courses and experiences that equip learners to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

A dedicated researcher and presenter, Dr. Remark has shared her work on literacy, critical media literacy and student success at conferences nationwide. Her publications appear in journals such as the Journal of College Reading & Learning and the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, where she explores the role of literacy in adult learners’ lives and strategies for supporting developmental readers. Through her teaching and scholarship, she strives to create engaging and meaningful learning environments where students can grow, achieve their goals and discover their potential.

Distinguished Staff Award: Lori Adkins
Lori Adkins serves Stark State as an enrollment advisor in the College’s Office of Admissions. Through advocacy, collaboration, encouragement, support and motivation, she builds lasting relationships with students as she guides them on their academic journeys. Students continually acknowledge her support many years after they graduate, a testament to her personal approach and dedication to her role.

An adjunct instructor since 2006 and an advisor since 2015, Lori is a member of Stark State’s College Staff Association and dedicated time to numerous committees including JumpStart, the Sociology Board, the Human & Social Services/Justice Studies Advisory Board, as well as several hiring committees. Before joining the College, she served as a social worker for the Ohio Department of Youth Services, supervisor for the Community Treatment and Corrections Center, housing supervisor for the Crisis Intervention & Recovery Center and a family advocate for Faces of Stark County. She’s also heavily involved in the local community, having served on the Stark County Community Mental Health Board, Stark County Family Council, Stark County Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board, the Mayor’s Literacy Commission and the Stark County Homeless Continuum, among many others.

Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award: Tracy Bragg
Tracy Bragg has been a Stark State College adjunct instructor since 2018 after graduating from the College’s physical therapist assistant (PTA) program in 2012. She currently teaches in the PTA program, assisting in lab and co-teaching as needed. She also is the primary instructor in functional anatomy. In addition to her associate degree, she holds a Bachelor of Science in biology and life science from The University of Akron, a Master of Arts in teaching from Kent State University and a massage therapy certificate from Stark State. She also works clinically in the field at an outpatient physical therapy clinic in North Canton. While her previous clinical work experience includes orthopedic and aquatics rehab, she currently focuses on myofascial work.

She was the 2025 recipient of the Adjunct Excellence in Teaching Award, which she considers a tremendous honor, and is currently serving on the 2026 Award committee.