Photo: Ashland University/Allison Waltz
ASHLAND, Ohio – Mitchell Metzger, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Ashland University, has been appointed as a new Trustees’ Distinguished Professor, as recognized during the 2025 commencement ceremony and previously approved by the AU Board of Trustees.
Metzger is AU’s ninth Trustees’ Distinguished Professor, an academic honor awarded to a professor who is recognized as an outstanding educator, researcher and campus leader. He was nominated, then recommended unanimously by a committee, comprised of the chair of the board of trustees, a representative from the academic affairs committee of the board of trustees, the president of the university, the president of the faculty senate and the provost.
“I am both honored and humbled to receive this appointment given the number of outstanding faculty we have at Ashland University, and I have been blessed to work with many wonderful faculty members over the past two decades,” Metzger stated.
Metzger has been a member of the AU faculty since 2003, serving as an associate professor of psychology from 2003-09 and as professor of psychology since 2009. He is an expert in cognitive psychology, the study of human mental processes, and has taught courses in experimental psychology (research methods, cognitive, learning, physiological, neuropsychology) as well as introductory level general psychology.
Metzger shaped the AU Department of Psychology as department chair for over a decade. He took over that role in 2007 and remained until 2021 when it also included the departments of criminal justice, social work and addictions counseling, prevention and human services.
Throughout his career, Metzger placed emphasis on the importance of mentorship to students. A dozen students earned co-authorship on peer-reviewed publications with him, and he has been the faculty sponsor for more than 60 student-led presentations at local, regional and national conferences.
“Mentoring students in the research process has always been a priority, mainly because I benefitted from having great faculty mentors when I was a student,” he said. “I look forward to continuing that work for many more years with Ashland University psychology students.”
Honors Metzger has received include the National Society of Leadership and Success 2010 Excellence in Teaching Award, an Ohio Magazine Excellence in Education Award in 2011 and two AU Mentor Awards. He has been a three-time finalist for the Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award.
Metzger’s service to the university includes extensive committee work, one current example being the Undergraduate Research Creative Activity Symposium Committee, and serving as Ashland’s Faculty Athletic Representative for five years, working as the athletic department’s liaison with the school’s faculty.
Metzger earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bowling Green State University and both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Kent State University.