Muskingum News

Muskingum University senior Marissa H. Blauch has been recognized with the 2025 Charles J. Ping Student Service Award. It is a prestigious honor presented by the Community Campus Coalition to undergraduates who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to community service. Thirteen students across the state of Ohio were honored with this annual award, which illustrates the significance of the contributions of those who prioritize service-oriented outlets.  

Blauch was nominated for the award for her work with Eyes Up Appalachia, a nonprofit organization that aims to bring awareness to human trafficking in the region. She launched a campaign to shed light on the issues to the Muskingum campus community, but her efforts didn’t end there. She also spearheaded similar initiatives at two other institutions, Baldwin Wallace University and the University of Rio Grande.

“It really was a moment where I felt a lot of my work had kind of in a sense paid off. It's been recognized, and not only that, but it allowed me the time to really reflect on everything I was doing and how it was impacting everyone around me,” Blauch said.

After working with multiple other organizations and institutions, Blauch took it upon herself to create the Student Alliance Against Sexual Violence organization at Muskingum, which won the award for Outstanding Student Organization of the Year. This allows other universities to model or revamp their strategies to help gain interest on these pressing topics.

Blauch shared how these experiences have shaped her future. “I would love to work in a nonprofit. I talked with Eyes Up Appalachia, who I did a lot of my work through and with, kind of about how they started, and wanting to kind of take a similar route and start my own nonprofit a little bit later down the line. But this experience has really showed how much I love working in this field.”

Blauch calls on anyone that sees a need for change to find the tools necessary to take the initiative and be a part of the change. Whether it’s trafficking, sexual violence, prevention, or environmental changes, “If you see a need and have the means...it is necessary to do so.”

Marissa H. Blauch’s dedication to community service and advocacy earned her the prestigious Charles J. Ping Student Service Award and inspired meaningful change across institutions. Her commitment to combating human trafficking and sexual violence highlights the profound impact one person can have. Blauch’s journey reminds us that recognizing the need for change and acting can create lasting effects in our communities.