One faculty member and one graduate student from the College of Letters & Science are among the eight recipients of the 2014-15 Outstanding Women of Color awards announced Tuesday by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Hull
Shawnika Hull, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and Michelle Robinson, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Sociology, will be honored with the other six winners at a free reception on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 5-7 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge of the Pyle Center.
Hull's nominator wrote: "Over the past four years, she has established herself as (1) an outstanding researcher, breaking new ground in cutting-edge areas of research, with a particular emphasis on health communication; (2) an unforgettable teacher and mentor to undergrad and graduate students alike; and (3) a highly valued colleague who has plunged wholeheartedly into service, both within and outside our school."
Robinson
Robinson's nominator wrote: "She is an engine of change who heads a variety of efforts to build community, address inequities and improve the climate for minorities in the larger Madison community, on the UW campus and in the Department of Sociology. Her work on behalf of minority and disadvantaged populations effectively bridges the divides between academic work, social activism, community service and advocacy, seeking to ensure that the resources and benefits of the UW campus and the larger Madison community are equitably shared by all, especially the most vulnerable populations."
Hull was also named as one of two UW-Madison honorees for the UW System 19th Annual Awards to Outstanding Women of Color in Education.
This year's 17 nominations from across the university's academic and administrative areas is a record high.
"In the past seven years, UW-Madison has established a tradition of celebrating the tremendous work women of color do, both on campus and in the larger community," says Ruby Paredes, interim associate vice provost for diversity and climate.
"Not long after the UW System launched the Woman of Color in Education Awards nearly 20 years ago, we began to realize the Madison campus had a growing number of dedicated women who give so much and are seldom recognized. Now, each year the number of nominees grows and we're more than pleased to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions."
To see the full list of winners, read this story from University Communications. To register for the Oct. 1 reception, click here.
Story by Ngijol Songolo for University Communications