An evening of stories, poetry, and connection is coming to campus! CSEA members Valerie Cumming, Martha Bove, and Brett Sipes have organized Tuesday Tales: An Evening of Written Art, an open mic prose and poetry reading event for students and faculty on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 5:30–7:00 p.m.

Join Creative Writing students and faculty in Mitchell Hall 303 or on Zoom to share in the creativity of our campus community. Attendees are invited to read their own original prose or poetry, or simply listen and enjoy the work of their peers. Snacks will be available for those attending in person.

By creating opportunities for students to share their writing and connect with faculty and one another, these CSEA members are helping students build confidence, find their voices, and feel a sense of belonging. Tuesday Tales is a welcoming way to support student success while celebrating the creative work happening at Columbus State.

Come celebrate creativity and the connections that help our students thrive!

Event details: Visit the CougarConnect event page

Attend online: Join via Zoom
Meeting ID: 996 9013 9501
Passcode: 111726

Faculty expertise brought history, politics, and civic participation together at a recent discussion of Ohio’s 2026 midterm elections.

CSEA member and Political Science professor Martha Crone joined fellow presenters on October 28 for “Midterms 2026!”, a Faculty Lecture Series panel presented by the Arts and Sciences Lecture Series Committee at Columbus State.

In her presentation, “Ohio Election Updates,” Crone offered a data-driven look at the election through the lens of political science. She explored the U.S. Senate and Ohio governor’s races, including candidate backgrounds, campaign spending, and the role of political advertising. Her discussion also addressed Issue 3 and directed attendees to sources for sample ballots.

Fellow panelists included Steve Andersson, a part-time faculty member in Humanities, who explored historical and literary perspectives on political change, and Chris Acock of the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Columbus, who discussed civic participation and local ballot issues. A question-and-answer session followed the presentations.

Events like this showcase the knowledge our faculty bring to Columbus State and the value of sharing that expertise beyond their own classrooms. By connecting academic perspectives with questions facing voters, the panel created an opportunity for learning and informed discussion.

CSEA is proud to recognize Martha’s contribution and the work of faculty colleagues who help our college community better understand the world around us!

Good food, great company, and a shared commitment to protecting public education!

CSEA members have been putting their pens to work this October! Faculty participated in two postcard-writing parties hosted at the Central OEA/NEA office, joining educators in a statewide effort to encourage fellow OEA members to vote in Ohio's November election.

Several CSEA members attended the first gathering earlier in the month, while six members, joined by a spouse, participated in the second event. Both evenings offered opportunities to enjoy food, connect with fellow educators, and take part in an important effort to support candidates who value public education and collective bargaining rights.

One of the most important races for Ohio educators this November is the governor's race. The Ohio Education Association has endorsed Dr. Amy Acton, who supports public education and the rights of educators to organize and advocate for their profession. Her opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, has expressed opposition to public-sector unions, making the outcome especially significant for Ohio's teachers and faculty.

Beyond the postcards, these gatherings are a wonderful reminder that union involvement is also about building relationships, enjoying time together, and working toward shared goals.

CSEA is proud of all our members who are stepping up, getting involved, and standing together for the future of public education!

Learn more about OEA's recommended candidates.

CSEA faculty members joined educators and union leaders from across Central Ohio at the recent Central OEA/NEA Power Up Conference in Hilliard, Ohio, for a day of professional learning, networking, and fresh ideas. Conference sessions explored topics directly relevant to our faculty, including educator wellness, student conduct, and effective union communication. These conversations connect closely with CSEA's ongoing efforts to strengthen faculty support, improve working conditions, and build a more engaged and informed faculty community.

One of the best parts? This professional development opportunity was a benefit of union membership! Conference registration, breakfast, and lunch were all included, making it easy for members to spend the day learning, connecting, and enjoying time with fellow educators. Events like Power Up are a great reminder of what our union dues help make possible. We're proud to have CSEA faculty taking advantage of these opportunities and bringing new ideas back to Columbus State!

Interested in attending a future event? Watch for announcements from CSEA about upcoming professional development and networking opportunities available through our union affiliations.

The November 3 election will help shape the future of public education, collective bargaining, and educators' rights in Ohio.

As faculty members, we know that decisions made by elected officials have a direct impact on our classrooms, our students, and our working conditions. From funding for public education to protecting collective bargaining rights, the outcome of this election matters to our profession.

The Ohio Education Association (OEA) has conducted a candidate recommendation process that includes interviews and consideration of candidates' positions on issues affecting public education and educators. These recommendations are a resource for members who want to learn more about the candidates and their positions before voting.

Ohio's Governor's Race and Collective Bargaining

One significant issue in the 2026 governor's race is the future of educators' unions. Dr. Amy Acton has publicly committed to protecting collective bargaining rights, opposing right-to-work legislation, and supporting public education. Her opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy, has previously called for abolishing teachers' unions and has stated that eliminating collective bargaining for teachers is an option he would consider. These positions raise important questions about the future of union representation and collective bargaining for Ohio educators.

Learn About the Candidates

CSEA encourages members to review OEA's candidate recommendations, learn where candidates stand on public education and labor issues, and participate in the November 3 election.

View OEA's 2026 Candidate Recommendations

Our voices matter in the classroom, at the bargaining table, and at the ballot box.

Columbus State faculty and students join the effort to help patients find lifesaving blood stem cell donors.

This October, students in PSY 2340 Human Growth & Development courses had the opportunity to learn how they could make a lifesaving difference. As part of CSEA's support for fellow faculty member Dan Hare, representatives from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) visited classes taught by Heather Johnston and Nicky Bell to share information about blood stem cell donation and invite eligible students to join the national donor registry.

The classroom visits were part of #TeamDan, an effort to raise awareness about the need for blood stem cell donors and support Dan Hare who was diagnosed with leukemia.

During the presentations, students learned how blood stem cell transplants can offer hope to people facing leukemia and other serious blood disorders. They also discovered that joining the registry is a simple step that could one day give someone a second chance at life.

For CSEA, the partnership is about more than supporting one colleague. It's about bringing people together, creating opportunities for students to make a difference, and extending the spirit of community beyond the classroom.

Want to bring NMDP to your classroom?

Faculty are encouraged to invite NMDP representatives to speak with their students. Classroom visits provide an engaging opportunity to learn about blood stem cell donation, ask questions, and consider joining the registry. Reach out to Heather Johnston for more information.

Learn more about the National Marrow Donor Program at my.nmdp.org/TeamDan.

Know a CSEA colleague whose teaching, service, or leadership deserves recognition? Now is your chance to celebrate them!

Nominations are open for the CSEA Faculty Excellence Award, which recognizes CSEA members who demonstrate distinction in teaching, service, or leadership. The award recipient will receive a $500 cash award and commemorative plaque.

Fall nominations are due Friday, October 23.

Take a few minutes to recognize a colleague who makes a difference—for students, fellow faculty, Columbus State, or our Association.

Nominate a Faculty Member

You can also visit our CSEA Faculty Excellence Award page to learn more about the award, nomination process, and past recipients.