EAST LANSING, Mich. — Five faculty and staff members who promote diversity and multiculturalism in their academic and professional careers will be recognized at Michigan State University’s Excellence in Diversity Awards at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center Auditorium at 4 p.m. Feb. 19.
“This year marks the 20th anniversary of MSU’s Excellence in Diversity Awards which recognizes individuals, teams and units for their exemplary work to promote an inclusive campus community,” said Paulette Granberry-Russell, director of MSU’s Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives.
“This year’s awardees represent MSU living its core value of inclusivity, which transcends beyond traditional notions of diversity. Their efforts reflect the extension of our values beyond the campus to within the state, nationally and internationally as well.”
The event is open to the public. For additional information, call the MSU Office for Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives at (517) 353-3922 or e-mail diversity@msu.edu.
Following is a list of recipients:
- DeBrenna Agbenyiga, assistant professor of social work, will receive a sustained effort toward excellence in diversity award. As assistant dean for equity, diversity and inclusive affairs in the College of Social Science, Agbenyiga serves as the college’s liaison in promoting diversity across the university. Her work in the classroom infuses issues related to multiculturalism and affirmative action.
- William Atchison, professor of pharmacology and toxicology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, will receive a sustained effort toward excellence in diversity award. Atchison promotes student diversity in MSU’s doctoral training programs. His work with the University of Puerto Rico in Cayey recruits students for research internships at MSU in pharmacology, toxicology and neuroscience.
- John Lee, coordinator with the Multi-Ethnic Counseling Center Alliance, will receive a sustained effort toward excellence in diversity award. Lee has developed a reputation as a cross-cultural consultant, an effective facilitator and a passionate advocate of nondiscrimination. A staunch advocate for the establishment of an Asian Pacific American Studies Program, Lee regularly lectures in the APA identities course and serves on the program’s advisory board.
- Justin Terry, operations supervisor with Spartan Linen Services, will receive an emerging progress award. Terry has been operations supervisor with Spartan Linen Services since 2003 and helped foster teamwork among staff members to create an improved work force culture. His involvement with the Team Job Training Program helps students with physical, visual or cognitive disabilities in the workplace.
- Geri Alumit Zeldes, assistant professor of journalism in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, will receive an excellence in advancing global competency award. Zeldes has focused her professional and academic careers on minorities, gender and multiculturalism. Her research has built a foundation for the study of the media’s portrayal of race and gender during presidential and gubernatorial elections.
This year’s organization award recipients:
- The College of Human Medicine Student National Medical Association will receive an excellent progress toward diversity collaboration award. The CHM-SNMA is a chapter of the largest and oldest national student organization of medical students of color. The CHM-SNMA plays a big part in community service, providing tutoring and mentoring for Lansing-area youth.
- The Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience will receive an excellence in advancing global competency award for its work in promoting social justice focusing on global awareness and advocacy for marginalized groups. In 2006, the student group began a pen-pal program with young people affected by HIV/AIDS in the South African town of Zonkizizwe, which led to MRULE students raising $12,000 for a youth center.
This year’s Diversity and Inclusion: Student Expressions recipients:
- Sean Fox-Elster, an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Letters; Michael Pixley, a lifelong education student; Fredy Rodriguez-Mejia, a graduate student in the College of Social Science; Clarissa Gerber, a graduate student in the College of Arts and Letters received an honorable mention; Shreelina Ghosh, a graduate student in the College of Arts and Letters received an honorable mention; Natalie Probst, an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Letters received an honorable mention; and DeShaun Snead, an undergraduate student in the College of Music received an honorable mention.
For more information visit http://www.inclusion.msu.edu/eida.
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