Michael A. Shearer is the current President of the Ohio State Chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. He was inducted into PKP’s OSU Chapter (155) in 1993 as a graduate student. As an Ohio State staff member he was invited to join the Executive Board in 2001 and was elected President in 2003.

As president of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, his goal is to continually improve the manner in which PKP recognizes scholastic achievement and excellence in OSU’s students, faculty and staff. With the assistance of many dedicated Ohio State professionals who give of their time to work on the Executive Board, PKP awards over $6000 annually in local scholarships for underclassmen and graduate students.

Michael’s current position at The Ohio State University is in the Registrars Office within the Eligibility Services unit. He has been a Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) Program Coordinator since November 1999. As a DARS Coordinator he’s in charge of encoding the Degree Audits, found on the web, for students in Arts & Science – Social & Behavioral Sciences, the College of Education and the College of Social Work. University advisers are his working partners providing updates to existing curriculums and material for new programs to encode. Michael also performs training in audit orientation and exceptions (petitions) to advisers, faculty and the general public at the OSU main campus and all regional campuses. Michael is a two time nominee for the Edith Cockins Award, the Registrars Office employee of the year recognition, for his work with degree audits and training.

He has been a member of the Ohio Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (OACRAO) since December 1999. Michael has taken an active roll in OACRAO, by hosting presentations, recruiting speakers and mentoring new OACRAO members. He has served on a variety of OARACO committees including: Professional Development Committee – 2000-2004 (Chair - 2003-2004) Scholarship Committee – 2000-2004 Membership and Mentoring Committee – 2003-2005 Records and Registration Committee – 2005 Local Arrangements Committee, Columbus OACRAO - 2005

Prior to working in the Registrar’s Office, Michael worked for in the OSU Athletic Department as the Men’s and Women’s Assistant Fencing Coach from 1993 through October 1999. Michael worked with head coaches Charlotte Remenyik and Vladimir Nazlymov. He earned his coaching credentials from the United States Fencing Association (USFA) in Foil, Epee & Sabre and is still an active fencing referee and runs his own fencing club, Salle Aramis Feddersen, a program through the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. Most recently Michael was Tournament Director for the collegiate Ohio State Dual Meets, the Notre Dame Dual Meets, the Midwest Fencing Championships held at Notre Dame and a referee for the Arnold Classic Fencing Tournament held at the Columbus Convention Center. The birth of his first child was the impetus to change vocations so he could stay home most weekends and be around to see his children grow up.

Michael earned his Masters Degree and grades 9 - 12 State of Ohio Teaching Certificates in Marketing Education from The Ohio State University in 1993. He double majored in Marketing and International Business earning his BSBA from The Ohio State University in 1987. Additionally, he was a four year varsity fencer for Ohio State from 1982 to 1986.

Cheria V. Dial, serves as Vice-President of the Ohio State Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi and chairs the Scholarship/Awards Committee. She was invited to join the executive board in the fall of 2002 and inducted into the Ohio State Chapter in 2003. As a Phi Kappa Phi executive board member Cheria manages the selection process for the chapter’s undergraduate scholarship awards.

As Associate Director of the University Honors & Scholars Center, Cheria leads the 7-member Recruitment and Communications Team which oversees the Honors & Scholars recruitment and application process, publications/website development and alumni initiatives. Additionally, she advises two student organizations: Romophos Sophomore Class Honorary and Unity. During her tenure at Ohio State Cheria worked as a graduate associate both for the Department of African American and African Studies and the Office of Women Student Services before joining the staff of the University Honors & Scholars Center in 1999.

Cheria earned her B.A. from Tufts University in 1994 with a double major in Spanish and International Relations. She also holds an M.A. in African American and African Studies and an M. A. in Higher both from The Ohio State University earned in 1998 and 1999 respectively.

Kenneth L Shellberg has served as chapter Treasurer of the Ohio State University Phi Kappa Phi Executive Committee for the last 8 years.

He has been employed at Ohio State University for more than twenty five years, beginning with OSU’s National Center for Research in Vocational Education, where he developed course materials for driver safety education, technical education, and career education. For the last 22 years, he has held the position of Business Manager in the Department of Geological Sciences. Ken earned his B.S. in Mathematics and his Masters in Public Administration (M.P.A) from OSU.

Significant early experiences include serving four years in the U.S. Air Force as a technical instructor in electronics communications at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, and working two years in the Illinois Bureau of the Budget as a state budget analyst.

Beth Tucker, Executive Board Member-at-Large

Mike Belair, Executive Board Member-at-Large

Dr. Catherine Clark-Eich, Executive Board Member-at-Large, has served as Chapter President of the Ohio State Phi Kappa Phi Executive Committee after serving as the Chapter Secretary for several years. She has been the invited guest speaker at the local initiation ceremonies and is currently a member of the Ohio State Chapter scholarship selection committee. On a national level, Catherine was a member of the Artist Selection Committee and was elected to the National Board of Directors as Vice President of the North Central Region. She was recently appointed by the national Phi Kappa Phi president to the 2004-2007 Membership Opportunities Committee.

Catherine is Executive Director of Board Relations at the Ohio Department of Education. In this position, she works with the State Board of Education (SBOE) in meeting their statutory functions as the public body for the establishment of public education policy for the state. Prior to her work with the SBOE she was the director of organizational development and customer service for the Ohio Department of Education.

Catherine worked at the world headquarters of Nationwide Insurance as Consultant/Executive Coach and as the Corporate Project Manager for the Diversity/Work Life/Career Planning Center. She has also served as a professional consultant, counselor and executive coach for the following organizations: Sawmill Psychological Services, North Central Mental Health Services, and Right Associates Placement Services.

Catherine was employed at OSU for over twenty years. During that time, she held the following positions: Director of Undergraduate Academic Student Services and Director of Alumni Services for the College of Human Ecology, Coordinator at University College, and Consultant for the Office of the President during the development of the University’s first Affirmative Action Plan.

She was visiting faculty for the Psychology Department at Pittsburgh State University, Pittsburgh, KS., Adjunct Assistant Professor for the Department of Family Relations and Human Development at Ohio State and Adjunct Instructor for the College of Education Department of Educational Policy and Leadership.

In addition to Phi Kappa Phi, Catherine was initiated into Phi Upsilon Omicron, Omicron Nu and Phi Delta Kappa. She was selected to represent The Ohio State University at the Bryn Mawr College Summer Institute.

Catherine has served the community in the following ways: United Way Race Relations Vision Council, United Way Corporate Steering Committee, Operation Feed Department Committee Member, Children's Hospital Development Board, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio Board, Columbus Leadership participant and committee, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association Board President, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Foundation Vice President, Simon Kenton Boy Scouts of America Central Ohio Executive Board. Phi Kappa Phi National Board Regional Vice President, National Advisory Board, Profiles in Diversity Journal , Rio Grande University Alumni Association Presidential Award, Walter and Marian English Community Service Award, Columbus Dispatch Community Service Award.

Dennis Thompson, Executive Board Member-at-Large

Sophia O. Tolliver, currently serves as Public Relations Officer of the Ohio State Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. She was inducted into the chapter as a graduate student in the OSU College of Public Health in the fall of 2007 and subsequently invited to join the OSU Executive Board shortly thereafter. As a Phi Kappa Phi executive board member Sophia first began her duties as Executive Board Secretary, helping to distribute Board communications and verify PKP memberships.

As Program Manager for The James Cancer Hospital's Diversity Enhancement Program, Sophia helps to educate minority and underserved populations about cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment, with an emphasis on clinical trials and research. The department also carries out grant initiatives in the areas of health disparities and healthy eating and nutrition. Additionally, she co-advises a student organization at OSU called the Collegiate Cancer Council (CCC). Previous to her work at The James, Sophia held a position in Registration/QA department of The Ohio State University Medical Center.

Sophia holds a B.S. in Human Nutrition, B.S. in Biological Sciences, and a Masters in Public Health from The Ohio State University earned in 2003, 2004, and 2008, respectively. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Dr. Linda James Myers, A black intellectual and cultural critic whose research and scholarship places African Diaspora Studies at the forefront of the paradigm shift occurring in Western science and converging with Eastern philosophies, Dr. Linda James Myers is a scientist of the soul and healer. This author, scholar/researcher’s work has lead to the development of a theory of divine consciousness grounded in the wisdom tradition of African deep thought and supported by contemporary science and experience. Dr. James Myers has served as Dean of the Graduate School of Psychology at New College of California in San Francisco, and currently holds appointments in the Departments of African American and African Studies, Psychology, and Psychiatry at The Ohio State University. She also serves as executive director of The Center for Optimal Thought, a private non-profit education and training organization dedicated to transformative learning, spiritual, and leadership development.

A researcher at the cutting edge of the movement to expand our understanding of human development to be inclusive of worldviews non-dominant in the West, Dr. Myers has published numerous articles, book chapters, and five books, her first entitled Understanding an Afrocentric World View: Introduction to an Optimal Psychology; two additional single authored texts, Blessed Assurance: Deep Thought and Meditations in the Tradition and Wisdom of Our Ancestor, and Our Health Matters: Guide to an African (Indigenous) American Psychology and Cultural Model for Creating a Climate and Culture of Optimal Health; and, two co-edited texts in the areas of conflict resolution across cultures and multi-cultural research in psychology, respectively. Her research deepens our understanding of the nature and substance of reality itself, seeking to align us with an universal order that fosters, peace, harmony, balance, reciprocity, order, justice and truth. Her theory of Optimal Psychology provides wise instruction on pursuing and achieving unity consciousness in the midst of chaos.

Dr. Myers has served as Associate Editor of two major journals in her field, Journal of Black Psychology and The Journal of Black Studies. Frequently sought for her expert opinion, Linda lectures nationally and internationally, having received wide acclaim for her provocative and motivating insights. She has received numerous honors and awards for her work, including membership in Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the Building to Eternity Award from the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilization, Bethune/Woodson Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Development of Black Studies from the National Council of Black Studies, Distinguished Psychologist Award from the Association of Black Psychologists, Outstanding Teacher of the Year from the Ohio State University Colleges of Arts and Sciences, induction into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, Golden Key Honor Society, Who’s Who of American Women, and Who’s Who Among Human Service Professionals. Linda is also a past president of the Association of Black Psychologists. She is married and has two wonderful sons.

Sarah N. Lang joined the Executive Board in autumn 2008. Sarah was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi in spring 2000 during her undergraduate study at The Ohio State University. She received her B.S. in Psychology in 2001 and her M.S. in Human Development and Family Science, with a specialization in Early Childhood Development and Education, in 2004 (both degrees from Ohio State). Having immensely enjoyed her coursework and educational experiences at the university, she was excited about the opportunity to become part of the OSU workforce.

From 2003 to 2008, Sarah worked in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, first as a graduate assistant in the A. Sophie Rogers Laboratory for Child and Family Studies, and then as a lecturer for the department and professional staff member of the laboratory school. She engaged in research and taught classes that focused on the importance of relationships in children’s learning. Sarah also presented at conferences and various local area child care centers and she continues to enjoy connecting with the larger early childhood education community.

In spring of 2008 Sarah took a position as Academic Planning Specialist for the College of Education and Human Ecology. Her main duties include coordinating curriculum and scholarship for the College. Sarah currently serves as the Advisor to the PKP Student Organization at OSU.

Lisa Michna Feldhaus, serves as the Executive Secretary for the Ohio State Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. She is responsible for the invitation and initiation process as well as distributing minutes from the executive board meetings.

Lisa is currently a Program Coordinator with the University Honors & Scholars Center. She is responsible for supervising the 17 current students that work for the Center as well as advising Honors Ambassadors, coordinating Honors & Scholars Overnights, and the Honors & Scholars application processes. Prior to coming to Ohio State, she worked in Pharmacy Admissions and Graduate Admissions.

Lisa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Computer & Information Science from Ohio State in 2004 and her Master’s Degree in College Student Personnel from Ohio University in 2006.