USD Magazine Summer 2022

B A R B A R A F E R G U S O N

[ r e c o g n i t i o n ]

by Lissette Martinez D i v e r s i t y a n d I n c l u s i o n I m p a c t A w a r d s O I M P O R T A N T W O R K n a rainy day in late February 2022, the In- augural Diversity and

she said. “I’m grateful for this, since it’s rare to have staff ac- knowledged, I just want to name that. To know that I get to — in partnership with faculty — be acknowledged for this work is really powerful for me.” The award was created in 2021 to honor and recognize the experiences of Black and Indig- enous People of Color (BIPOC) on campus. Whether through their research, their work with students or through their com- munity partnerships, the award recipients have made it their mission to level the playing field in higher education. Aside from the recognition, a certificate and a plaque, the awardees also re- ceived a stipend of $1,000. While they differ in their areas

Pauline Berryman Powell, MA, from CAS — were presented with their awards from Presi- dent James T. Harris III, Provost Gail Baker and Vice Provost Re- gina Dixon-Reeves. Harley, the interim senior di- rector of career development at SMSE, expressed gratitude for feeling seen and heard for her work supporting and mentoring students in the STEM disci- plines. “This work is ingrained in me. This is passion for me,”

ley-Marcos School of Engineer- ing (SMSE) and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) for their work with helping communities of color, as well as those who are underserved and marginalized. Surrounded by family and col- leagues, the six recipients — Reyes Quezada, ’83 (MEd), EdD, and Sarina Molina, ’10 (EdD) from SOLES; Odesma Dalrym- ple, PhD, and Rhonda Harley, MS from SMSE, along with Jes- se Mills, ’04 (MA) ’08 (PhD) and

Inclusion Impact Award cere- mony kicked off in a room of people filled with hope, grati- tude and an eye on the horizon. The event was hosted by USD’s Center for Inclusion and Diversity. The award was created to recognize outstanding faculty members and staff from the School of Leadership and Educa- tion Sciences (SOLES); the Shi-

USD MAGAZINE

8