April 18, 2013 – Three individuals and one organization will be recognized by the University of Utah (the U) Office for Equity and Diversity for their leadership and continued commitment to inclusion throughout campus. The recipients will be honored at the 18th annual awards luncheon on Wednesday, April 24 at the Rice-Eccles Stadium Tower.
Emilio Camu
Award for Contributions by Students
Emilio Camu is being recognized for his enthusiasm, passion and dedication to diversity and equity at the U. Camu, a third year undergraduate majoring in communications, produced the Asian American Student Association High School Conference, and is an active member in a variety of student organizations, including the Student Advisory Committee in Ethnic Studies, Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU) Diversity Board, Operation Smile Student Association, Venceremos Newspaper and the New U Student Experience Council. He is also involved in various community organizations that help bridge the gap between the U and the local community.
Geneva Thompson
Award for Contributions by Students in the Past Year
Geneva Thompson served as ASUU’s Student Body President for the 2012-13 school year. Working closely with the Senate Diversity Committee over the past year, Thompson focused on policies including campus-wide regulations for how students can report racial harassment, campus-wide surveys to gauge how secure students feel in talking about issues of race and diversity in their classrooms, and a fledgling diversity training for faculty and staff. All of her efforts have helped make the university a more welcoming place for underrepresented communities on and off campus.
Adrienne Cachelin, Ph.D.
Award for Sustained Contributions by University Staff and Faculty
Adrienne Cachelin, Ph.D., is an associate instructor for environmental studies at the College of Social and Behavioral Science as well as the College of Health. During her tenure at the U, Cachelin has been an advocate for inclusiveness in environmental education and social justice in and out of her classroom. She is involved in the local environmental community through partnerships with New Roots program, Comunidades Unidas and Bryant Middle School providing environmental education and literacy. Her environmental activism has been instrumental in bridging the gap between underserved communities and the university.
Native American Research Institute (NARI)
Sustained Contributions by University Units over Past Years
NARI is a 10-week summer internship program for American Indian or Alaska students interested in biomedical and health science research. Since 2010, the program has focused on fostering leadership and cultural competency among students, staff and faculty to improve education, health and welfare of tribal communities. Two students have been accepted to medical school, one is in the medical school application process and another is enrolled in a graduate health science program and works as a research assistant with a NARI research mentor. The remaining students are currently working towards their undergraduate degrees.
Each Equity and Diversity Award recipient was nominated via letters of recommendation submitted by colleagues, students and community members. The final selection was made by the awards committee of the Office for Equity and Diversity at the University of Utah.
For more information please visit www.diversity.utah.edu or call 801-581-4250.