Political Science Associate Professor Sara Watson has been named one of three OSU faculty members to receive the 2025 President and Provost's Award for Distinguished Faculty Service. This award recognizes faculty members for their contributions to the development and implementation of university policies and programs through non-administrative roles while continuing to teach and pursue scholarship. 

Sara Watson has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to service and governance at Ohio State. A University Senator since 2018, she has chaired the University Senate Rules Committee and is the current Faculty Council chair. She has also been instrumental in high-impact university initiatives, including the Office of Academic Affairs Faculty Recruitment and Selection Policy Writing Group, Free Speech Policy Writing Group and co-chair of the Task Force on Clarifying Roles of Clinical Teaching and Practice Faculty Titles. In 2024, she served on the advisory committee for the executive vice president and provost search. Watson began her Ohio State career in 2008. 

She will be honored with the other honorees on April 25th during the annual Faculty Awards Celebration.