Awards honor 'excellence through diversity'

Efforts promoting a diverse and inclusive environment have been recognized with the UC Santa Cruz Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Excellence Through Diversity awards.

Acting Chancellor Martin M. Chemers presented awards June 10 to the following units and individuals providing programs, courses, activities, and one-on-one mentoring that put into practice UCSC's Principles of Community:

. Chicano/Latino Research Center (CLRC). The center's interdisciplinary scope spans social scientific research and policy studies and interpretative approaches within cultural studies and the humanities. CLRC's research clusters have produced three anthologies, and the center also supports the scholarship of graduate and undergraduate students.

. Phillip Crews, professor of chemistry. Crews's dedication to increasing diversity in biomedical sciences is reflected in his work as cocreator and codirector of ACCESS: Academic Support, Outreach and Diversity Program in the Sciences. The ACCESS program provides enrichment activities to improve the academic skills of community college students in the form of study sessions, seminars, and lab tours at UCSC and includes the Summer Research Institute at UCSC.

. School of Engineering Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP). MEP provides scholarship funds to eligible transfer students and professional development opportunities. In December 2003, MEP's state funding was discontinued, but staff members have found ways to continue to provide the most needed support services. MEP services include a student study center, Summer Bridge to Engineering and Research Program for freshmen and transfer students, and career advising workshops.

. College Administrative Officer Alex Reveles, Merrill and Crown Colleges. Throughout his nearly 30-year tenure at UCSC, Reveles has worked diligently to improve the sense of community at the colleges for students, faculty, and staff through diversity and affirmative action initiatives. Among his many accomplishments, Reveles launched the College Retention Committee at Merrill College, devoted to retaining all students, including students from historically underrepresented groups. Reveles has worked to develop similar retention and student support programs throughout UCSC's colleges.

. Dining University. Dining University is an innovative training and orientation program for the more than 200 dining services employees who recently joined UCSC. All aspects of the program, both written materials and oral presentations, were delivered in both English and Spanish. The Dining University curriculum included training in university policies and resources, training on work-related topics such as customer service, and team-building and motivational activities.