The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University is proud to announce faculty members Sarah Stabenfeldt, a professor of biomedical engineering, and Steven Osburn, an associate teaching professor of computer science and engineering, as the first recipients of the new Mosaic Award.
The award recognizes one tenured or tenure-track and one instructional Fulton Schools faculty member whose teaching, research, service and outreach demonstrate one of the school’s five values: building a foundation for all to be successful.
The inaugural winners were selected from 29 nominations for 18 faculty members by the Inclusive Excellence Faculty Advisory Council, or IFAC. Jennifer Bekki, an associate professor of engineering and associate dean of inclusive excellence in the Fulton Schools and IFAC chair, says it was inspiring to read the nominations and see the great accomplishments of faculty members.
“The Mosaic Award honors those who are building opportunities for student success in the Fulton Schools community,” Bekki says. “We have lots of faculty members doing amazing things, and we want to increase opportunities to have their efforts recognized.”
Stabenfeldt and Osburn will be invited to participate in the inaugural Mosaic Forum, a fireside chat where speakers will discuss actionable and transferable strategies for those who embrace the value of building a foundation for all to be successful.
Bekki says the Mosaic Award is the first of five awards recognizing faculty members demonstrating the Fulton Schools’ values. Two of those new honors will be launched in each of the upcoming academic years.
Stabenfeldt: a biomedical engineering role model
Stabenfeldt’s one-on-one mentorship, collaborative research, organization of department-wide programming, professional development and intellectual engagement made her stand out for the tenured and tenure-track Mosaic Award.
“No matter the space that I’m in, I try to be consistent in terms of making sure that everybody has not only a seat but a voice at the table,” she says. “I strive to include everyone’s perspectives in a group.”
Stabenfeldt has been referred to as one of the most impactful leaders in her field and has shown dedication to improving inclusive excellence through her involvement in the BMES committee focused on broadening participation in biomedical engineering and the Society For Biomaterials task force addressing access and representation across the profession.
She was among the first faculty to be involved in the Fulton Schools’ initiative on inclusive excellence in 2019. She has co-authored papers about hiring strategies in academia, ensuring multiple backgrounds are represented among faculty and establishing department-level accountability.
One of Stabenfeldt’s nominators, Antonia Papandreou-Suppappola, a professor of electrical engineering in the Fulton Schools, says Stabenfeldt’s commitment to building a foundation for all to be successful has always been evident in her words and actions.
“Since I met Sarah, I have been very impressed with her dedication to inclusive excellence within the Fulton Schools community and on the national level,” Papandreou-Suppappola says. “She is highly committed to ensuring everyone has equal access to all opportunities.”
Amberlyn Simmons, a biomedical engineering doctoral candidate in Stabenfeldt’s lab, says she nominated the researcher for her efforts in cultivating a thoughtful and inspiring work environment.
“Through her leadership, encouragement and example, Dr. Stabenfeldt empowers others to take ownership of their work and realize their full potential — both within and beyond the academic sphere,” Simmons says. “I know I speak for many members of the Fulton Schools community when I say that Dr. Stabenfeldt has fundamentally impacted who we are as researchers and as people.”
Osburn: a legendary instructor
Osburn is known as “the legend” among his students and “exemplary” among his peers.
“I go out of my way to make sure the students feel accepted and seen,” he says. “I think because of that, they see me as somebody who really cares about their success.”
Students might recognize Osburn as the faculty director of the annual Summer in Dublin study abroad trip or as the organizer of the Thanksgiving dinner for students who are unable to spend the holiday with their families.
“I invite all students — international or local, whether you’re part of the Fulton Schools or not, it doesn’t matter,” Osburn says. “Whoever wants to show up is welcome. I always invite them to bring their favorite dishes if they’re able to, and last year, we ended up with enough food to feed about 100 to 150 people.”
To Osburn, community-building experiences are just part of the job. To his first nominator, President’s Professor Teresa Wu, who teaches in the industrial engineering program in the Fulton Schools, Osburn’s efforts to build community exemplify his dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every student can thrive, both academically and personally.
“His dedication to his students is evident in all aspects of his teaching, and his genuine care for their success sets him apart as a role model and mentor,” Wu says. “His holistic approach to student success — combining academic rigor with personal care and cultural engagement — is a testament to his outstanding leadership.”
Noah Rost, executive director of the Global Education Office, also nominated Osburn and says his passion breathes life into the Fulton Schools community.
“Steven Osburn has created rich learning environments and educational experiences that have benefited future engineers,” Rost says. “His dedication to openness has made the Summer in Dublin program the most popular program offered for engineering students and more accessible to those from various backgrounds through scholarships and flexible structures, significantly increasing participation.”
