Four members of the U faculty and administration will receive awards next month for enriching diversity and equality on campus.
Caitlin Cahill, an architecture professor, Jannah Mather, dean of the College of Social Work, Aretha Minor, program manager at the Utah College Advising Corps and Deidre Schoenfeld, outreach and diversity coordinator for the College of Engineering will be honored at the 14th annual 2009 Equity and Diversity Awards ceremony May 29.
There are many who advance diversity here at the U, said Octavio Villalpando, associate vice president of equity and diversity.
“These are people who go above and beyond,” Villalpando said.
Administrators said that all four awardees have started and supported programs that promote diversity and equality in gender, ethnicity and those with low-incomes. Schoenfeld has supported engineering programs for women and ethnic groups. Mather was “instrumental” in the construction of the Goodwill Humanitarian Building.
“I’m very honored to be receiving this award. It’s very meaningful to me and to what I do,” Schoenfeld said. “We’re doing a better job at increasing diversity, but there is so much more we can do.”
Students and colleagues nominated the award winners, who were picked by a committee Villalpando organized. The winners are chosen based on the impact of their work, Villalpando said.
“These awards are important because we need to recognize everyone who enhances diversity,” he said. “There are literally hundreds who deserve recognition like this.”
The award ceremony will be at the U Alumni House at noon.