MSJ Art Education Students at the 2025 OAEA Conference
CINCINNATI, OH — November 2025 — Mount St. Joseph University’s (MSJ) Preservice Art Education students made an outstanding showing at the 2025 Ohio Art Education Association (OAEA) Conference, held November 13–15 in Columbus, Ohio. Led by Program Director Carolyn Althoff and Dr. Michaelann Kelley, Chair of the Creative Arts Department, MSJ students celebrated three days filled with professional achievements, presentations, and statewide recognition.
MSJ students Isabella Saupe and Ella Jane Kuhnell opened the conference on Thursday morning by delivering the welcome address in their roles as representatives of the OAEA Pre-Service Teacher Division.
During Thursday evening’s Awards Ceremony, Dr. Kelley presented the OAEF Foundation Scholarship winners and proudly witnessed MSJ’s strong presence among the other honorees.
- Ella Jane Kuhnell was named the 2025 Pre-Service Award Winner.
- MSJ alumni Alyssa McRoberts received the Robert Robart Inspiration Award.
- MSJ alumni Hilary Carvitti was honored with the Elementary Division Award.
- Mary Sala, longtime mentor teacher for MSJ’s AED 390 practicum course at Delhi Middle School, earned the Middle School Division Award.
Friday’s sessions showcased the talent and initiative of MSJ’s preservice educators. In the morning, Lorelia Berta, Destiny Jones, Ella Jane Kuhnell, Quinntin Muddiman, Isabella Saupe, and Carr Smith led a hands-on workshop titled “Shadow Imagery—Integrating Art, Literacy, and Theatre.” Participants explored interdisciplinary creativity by designing shadow puppets, scenes, and headdresses inspired by the Persian epic theatrical adaptation Feathers of Fire. Later that day, Lindsay Gufstan, OAEA Vice President of Divisions, commented that participants had told her how wonderful and creative the presentation was and how engaging the student presenters were during the workshop.
That afternoon, practicum students Kuhnell, Muddiman, Saupe, and Smith facilitated a second interactive workshop, “Six Portraits in 105 Minutes,” guiding attendees through a fast-paced portrait-making experience that culminated in six unique artworks per participant. One of the participants an MSJ alumni Madison Taylor said, “I knew MSJ preservice students would knock it out of the park – great job lions.”
Throughout the conference, MSJ students engaged enthusiastically in networking, attending professional development workshops, listening to keynote speakers, and connecting with arts vendors.
Mount St. Joseph University celebrates the dedication, leadership, and creativity demonstrated by its preservice art educators and looks forward to their continued contributions to the field of art education.
