The UIndy College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Recognizes Outstanding Alumni with 2026 Awards

The University of Indianapolis’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences (CEBS) proudly recognized outstanding alumni who have achieved exceptional success and leveraged their UIndy education to make a significant impact in their field, within their communities, and in the world.

This year’s CEBS Alumni Awards recipients were:

Dr. Ted Maple ’96 (Elementary Education)

Dr. Ted Maple grew up in Indianapolis and attended UIndy from 1992 through 1996, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Dr. Maple’s career has included public school teaching, directing an early childhood program for at-risk children, directing United Way education initiatives, leading a statewide early childhood education organization and now serving as vice president for education at Lilly Endowment. 

In addition to his UIndy degree, Dr. Maple holds a master’s degree from Butler University and a doctoral degree from Ball State University – both in education. Dr. Maple and his wife, Johanna ’94, live on the northeast side of Indianapolis. They have three grown children: Samuel, Jonah, and Adam.

Dr. Misty Spitler ’08 (PsyD)

Originally from Nebraska, Dr. Misty Spitler has built a career spanning clinical practice, teaching, and professional leadership. Dr. Spitler worked for the U.S. Department of the Army Medical Evaluation Board as Lead Psychologist for 12 years and received the Civilian Service Achievement Medal for exceptional service, work ethic, and technical skill supporting Medical Command and the U.S. Army. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in counseling from Minnesota State University, and a doctorate in clinical psychology from UIndy. 

Since earning her PsyD in 2008, Dr. Spitler has taught undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at the University of Indianapolis and beyond and served as President of the Indiana Psychological Association from 2011 to 2014. She currently provides therapy and assessment to the southern Indianapolis community at Evolve Therapy. Always seeking new challenges, she founded Perfect Game Photography after years of studying photography, balancing dual careers as a psychologist and sports photographer. She and her husband, Jeremy, have three sons.

Sonya Ware-Meguiar ’89 (Social Work)

Sonya Ware-Meguiar is a licensed clinical social worker with more than 38 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and a deep commitment to service and leadership. For the past 18 years, she has served in her “dream job” as Chief Executive Officer of Girls Inc. of Johnson County, mentoring the next generation of female leaders. She spent 18 years at Gateway Services in leadership roles, where she launched a summer camp integrating children with special needs and their peers and helped adult clients form a self-advocacy group that participated in an international conference in Anchorage, Alaska.

Ware-Meguiar completed her graduate studies at IUPUI, is a graduate of Leadership Johnson County, and was inducted into the Beech Grove High School Hall of Fame in 2009. She serves the community through multiple initiatives, including Drug Free Johnson County, EMPOWER Johnson County, 100 Women Who Care, Aspire Economic Development + Chamber Alliance, and Franklin Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Beech Grove with her husband, Rob, and enjoys being a grandmother to Ryder, with a granddaughter arriving soon.

Jason Todd ’95 (Social Work)

Jason Todd is a native of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and currently resides in Parkland, Florida. While attending the University of Indianapolis on a football scholarship, he played running back and served as team captain, experiences that shaped his leadership, discipline, and commitment to service. He was also honored with the Kate Ratliff Award for Outstanding Community Service.

Todd began his professional career in human resources, advancing from Human Resources Manager to Vice President at the HRIS Group, and later serving as President and Co-Founder of HR Advantages, a human resource consulting firm he successfully sold. He then transitioned to the medical device industry, where he has spent more than two decades in roles ranging from Clinical Specialist and Territory Manager to Director and Vice President of Sales. Throughout his career, he has earned multiple President’s Club awards for sustained excellence and a patient-focused approach.