Four individuals and two campus units were honored for their efforts in supporting and increasing diversity at UC Santa Cruz.
Chancellor George Blumenthal conveyed the awards during a luncheon May 21 at University House. Blumenthal called the diversity awards program one of the highlights of the year.
Winners were Professor Richard Hughey, computer engineering, for supporting and increasing diversity within the Baskin School of Engineering; Associate Professor Ingrid Parker, ecology and evolutionary biology, for working to increase access to scientific careers for women and members of other underrepresented groups; Associate Professor Renee Tajima-Peña, community studies, for her work with the social documentation graduate program; and Associate Vice Chancellor/Dean of Students Alma Sifuentes for her commitment to diversity and inclusion at UCSC.
Also garnering awards were the Latin American and Latino Studies department and UC Santa Cruz Dining. Latin American and Latino Studies was selected as one of the most successful departments within UC for recruiting, hiring, and retaining Latino and women faculty staff and students. Representing the department were Professor Pat Zavella, department chair; Jill Esteras, department manager; and Alessandra Alvares, undergraduate advisor.
UC Santa Cruz Dining was honored for two staff development programs, English and Spanish language classes and Summer Leadership Development Opportunity. UC Santa Cruz Dining also won a diversity award in 2004. Representing the unit were: Sue Matthews, acting assistant vice chancellor; Scott Berlin, director; Jennifer Reeves, trainer/translator; Osmin Cruz-Garcia, food service worker; and Lilian Galdemez-Mijango, shift manager.
The awards program was sponsored by the Chancellor's Office, Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action, the Academic Personnel Office, and Staff Human Resources.
