Congratulations to Jillian Ober on Receiving The Ohio State University 2026 Distinguished Staff Award

Across Ohio State, 13 exceptional staff members are transforming the university’s mission into daily action through their commitment to innovation and collaboration. As the 2026 Distinguished Staff Award recipients, these individuals represent the pinnacle of excellence in everything that they do.

Jillian Ober believes that everyone has a story to tell – and the right to read it. For over two decades at The Ohio State University Nisonger Center, she has been the heartbeat of the Next Chapter Book Club, a program that ensures intellectual disability is never a barrier to the joy of literature. Jillian is a master of removing obstacles; from co-authoring “hi-lo” short stories so members see themselves reflected in literature to arranging complimentary transportation to weekly club meetings, she makes inclusion look effortless. She is committed to empowering others, training members to become co-facilitators of their own groups and equipping all 150 members to create the kind of clubs they want. Jillian fosters a world where curiosity and friendship belong to everyone.

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