Three students, a faculty member and one organization were honored last week with 2010 Inclusive Excellence Awards. The awards, presented as part of the Mizzou Diversity Summit, held Oct. 20 and 21 at Memorial Union, were given to individuals and groups who were recognized for their contributions to enhancing diversity at the University of Missouri.
The winners of this year’s awards are:
- Ellis Ingram, senior associate dean for diversity and inclusion at the MU School of Medicine. During his 30 years as a faculty member, Ingram has taken a leading role in the organization of medical shadow programs for minority students. In the community, Ingram and his wife, Pam, founded a non-profit after school program for Columbia children.
- Brian Booton, coordinator of the Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology program at MU. The program is designed to increase the number of underrepresented students exploring environmental careers through research-based training. Booton also coordinates the Exposure to Research for Science Students program, which is designed to encourage underrepresented students to enter graduate school and pursue careers in biomedical research. The program has more than tripled in size under his leadership.
- Tapashree Tah, a doctoral student in the department of chemistry. Tah serves on the executive boards of the Cultural Association of India and the Missouri International Student Council at MU. Tah was president of Mizzou’s Cultural Association of India in 2009 when she organized several cultural events.
- Amy Williams is a second-year law student at MU. During her time at Mizzou, she has served as a Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Peer Educator, committee chair for Vagina Monologues, and president of Active Minds. Currently, Williams volunteers at True North Shelter and serves on the board of directors for Global Issues Leadership Development. She is also the adviser for the Sustainability Peer Resource Outreach (SPROUT) program.
- The Mizzou ADVANCE Steering Board. The ADVANCE program focused on developing a more diverse workforce through the retention of senior women faculty in science, engineering and math. The board is directed by Jill Hermsen. Other members of the board include Lesa Beamer, Suzanne Burgoyne, Meera Chandrasekhar, Carol Deakyne, Jeni Hart, Jackie Litt, Carol Lorenzen, Marge Skubic and Sheryl Tucker.
A biennial event, this year’s Diversity Summit featured workshops and discussions aimed at improving diversity at MU, including issues of gender, racial-ethnic background, religious belief, sexual orientation, and abilities and disabilities.