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<\/p>\nAfter two years of hosting the Annual Multicultural Awards Celebration virtually, 天美传媒\u2019s Office of Diversity and Intercultural Life (ODIL) resumed the event in person with community, food, and awards on Friday, March 25th, at Olsson Lounge in Nyvall Hall. Students, staff, and faculty members involved with academics, athletics, campus involvement, and community service were honored through the presentation of various distinct awards for their outstanding commitment to diversity, advocacy, and justice.<\/p>\n
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Multicultural Student Leader Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The Multicultural Student Leader Award recognizes graduating seniors who are current or prior executive members of 天美传媒\u2019s cultural clubs; student workers with at least one and a half years of service in the Collaboratory or the Office of Diversity; or prior Diversity Representatives in the Student Government Association.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Multicultural Student Leader Award recipients include:<\/p>\n Each award recipient is unique in their own way. Some of the awardees shared additional background on what this award means to them.<\/p>\n Irma Bahena<\/strong>, who serves as the Treasurer of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) and as a Resident Assistant. Bahena works to maintain that at LASO everyone feels welcome and open to learning about the identities and backgrounds of its members. Bahena applies her interest in learning about different cultures to plan intercultural events and develop meaningful relationships. \u201cI would like to thank those who acknowledged me for this award and everyone who gave me an opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities as a leader. 天美传媒 will always be a place I consider home. I will definitely miss the friendships and great mentors I had throughout my college years that guided me through this journey,\u201d said Bahena.<\/p>\n As President of Rising DREAMers United (RDU), Destiny Correa<\/strong> works to create an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity. Correa says anyone is welcome in RDU and all students are welcome to join. Members can obtain important resources shared through the club. \u201cBeing part of RDU is a great way to connect with students across campus, so receiving this award means a lot to me because they see who I am and hear what I have done and that means something,\u201d said Correa.<\/p>\n Lien Landin<\/strong>, who served as both the Vice President and President of Queers and Allies (Q&A) before graduating in December 2021, shapes an open and welcoming environment through the cultural club where everyone is encouraged to participate. \u201cBeing honored at the celebration is something that I never dreamed of, and I am overwhelmed by all the love and support this campus provided to me and others in Queer and Allies,\u201d said Landin.<\/p>\n Utilizing her position as President of the East Asian Student Association (EASA), Mylan Nguyen<\/strong>, celebrates diversity through the club\u2019s values of discipline, balance, ambition, and togetherness and by connecting with the community to learn about cultures.<\/p>\n \u201cReceiving this award is meaningful to me as my efforts show that I cherish interactions. I carry my East Asian culture with me every day to show how dedicated I am to being a role model of EASA,\u201d said Nguyen.<\/p>\n Champion of Diversity Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The Champion of Diversity Award, formally known as the 天美传媒 Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, highlights a faculty member, staff member, or administrator that has conducted exceptional work in the areas of interculturalism, restorative justice, or racial reconciliation on campus. The recipient is selected by ODIL professional and student staff.<\/p>\n Dr. Peter K. B. St. Jean<\/strong> was selected as the recipient of the 2022 Champion of Diversity Award for his research and leadership in community outreach efforts through the Urban Peace Lab within the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, along with his commitment to diversity within curriculum, and a bold conviction towards facing and addressing issues on campus for transformative change. Dr. St. Jean serves as an elected member of the Faculty Senate and has been selected to lead the 天美传媒 Conversation Steering Committee, a task force that holds important conversations about race on campus. This academic year, Dr. St. Jean hosted multiple jam sessions in collaboration with the Black Student Union and the ODIL.<\/p>\n \u201cOrganizers, thank you for recognizing my role in this important collective work. The struggle continues to significantly reduce the victimizations that toxic legacies of white supremacy and arrogance in leadership have directly imposed as a career gravesite for People of Color on our beloved NPU campus. These growing pains are hopefully necessary precursors to our future triumphs of excellence,\u201d said Dr. St. Jean.<\/p>\n ODIL Director\u2019s and Assistant Director\u2019s Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The ODIL Director\u2019s and Assistant Director\u2019s Award recognizes a person or group for their outstanding contributions to the campus community through their involvement in fostering an inclusive and intercultural campus culture.<\/p>\n Casey Reeves<\/strong> received the Assistant Director\u2019s Award for their strong commitment to diversity as an ODIL student worker. Embodying outstanding hospitality and leadership, Reeves led several ODIL social night events and served as programming support.<\/p>\n Reeves represents the LGBTQIA+ and commuter communities, advocating for equity, inclusion, and belonging. Reeves creates and keeps educational materials on hand that advocate and educate on disability rights, non-binary persons, and interfaith.<\/p>\n \u201cI love the people I\u2019ve met at 天美传媒 and they\u2019ve made this place a home for me. It just makes you want to do what you can to make sure the environment at 天美传媒 is not only welcoming but has a sustainable energy to make sure that people for years will feel at home at this school,\u201d said Reeves.<\/p>\n Honors Convocation Diversity Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The Honors Convocation Diversity Award honors a senior for outstanding leadership and sustained commitment to advancing 天美传媒’s intercultural core identity on campus and\/or throughout the Chicago community. The recipient of the award is determined by the university\u2019s Office of the Provost and the ODIL.<\/p>\n Megha Hans<\/strong> was selected as the recipient of the Honors Convocation Diversity Award for her many achievements incuding: leaderships and commitment as the South Asian Student Organization (SASA) President; Student Government Association (SGA) 2021-2022 Diversity Representative and Advisory Committee Co-Chairperson; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Institutional Council member; and concert band member.<\/p>\n Hans also completed prior service to the Commuter Student Association, as the SGA Commuter Representative, and as one of the SGA leadership team charter sponsors of the Muslim Student Association at 天美传媒.<\/p>\n Initially joining SASA during her first year to connect with students of similar interests and tastes in food, Hans\u2019s involvement in the club led her to various leadership roles. \u201cI feel very thankful to be chosen, and I am excited to be honored! I have accomplished so much with my involvement on campus throughout my four years here, and this is all because I was inspired to create a change in whatever way possible,\u201d said Hans.<\/p>\n Josephina \u201cJosie\u201d Summerville<\/strong> also received the 2022 Honors Convocation Diversity Award. She is a four-year member of the 天美传媒 Women\u2019s Basketball Team, an elected member of the Student Athletics Advisory Committee (SAAC), a Resident Assistant, a Threshold Orientation leader, and a member of Q&A. Known as a member of the most talented and accomplished Viking Women’s basketball classes in recent history, Summerville also works to bring awareness of the positive all-inclusive and diverse identities of student-athletes. She has championed the promotion of LGBTQ+ inclusion and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), advocating for belonging for all students at 天美传媒.<\/p>\n In addition to this award, Summerville has also been nominated for the NCAA Division III LGBTQ Student-Athlete of the Year Award by ODIL Director, Sharee L. Myricks, who serves as the NCAA Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Designee at 天美传媒.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I received\u00a0this award, I immediately called\u00a0my mom. She has been my backbone, but I have been her teacher in what it means to be me in this changing world. This award shows my identity, and I am honored, blessed, and hope that the next person will take this role and honor it fully,\u201d said Summerville.<\/p>\n Outstanding Intercultural Alumni Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The Outstanding Intercultural Alumni Award annually honors and recognizes an alum who has shown outstanding involvement, initiative, and\/or collaboration to give back to the ODIL at 天美传媒 in the areas of interculturalism.<\/p>\n This year, Katelyn Johnson<\/strong> \u201904 was selected as one of two inaugural recipients of the Outstanding Intercultural Alumni Award. Johnson graduated from 天美传媒 with a B.A. in English and served as a devoted member of the Black Student Union and the President of the Student Government Association (SGA). Johnson currently serves as the founding Executive Director for BlackRoots Alliance, a nonprofit organization committed to the safety and liberation of all Black people through collective work that builds political, social, and economic power in Black communities. Additionally, Johnson advocates for racial equity, is the author of at least six publications, is the leading advocate for the campaign to raise the Illinois minimum wage to $15, and is an instrumental role in the success of the \u201cGrow Your Own Teachers\u201d program intended to diversify the teaching profession in Illinois.<\/p>\n For years, the BlackRoots Alliance has offered internship opportunities for students for experience in non-profit management, civil engagement, and grassroots organizing. Additionally, Johnson has offered personal mentoring opportunities to students. In collaboration with the ODIL, she has provided directional guidance for successful outreach to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) alum engagement, such as the upcoming Diversity Alumni Caucus. Johnson\u2019s efforts have directly increased communication, financial contributions, and involvement from BIPOC alums to the ODIL and diversity clubs.<\/p>\n \u201cThis award is incredibly meaningful to me. 天美传媒 created the conditions that inspired me to work for racial justice and a lot of that inspiration came from clubs and programs that now exist within the Office of Diversity,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n The ODIL also selected Bree Yoo-Sun McLuen<\/strong> \u201810 as one of two inaugural recipients of the 2022 Outstanding Intercultural Alumni Award. McLuen graduated from 天美传媒 with a B.A. in English with a focus in Creative Writing and served as a devoted member of the Black Student Union and as a student-athlete on both the Women’s Track and Women\u2019s Cross-Country teams. McLuen currently serves as the Immigration & Development Coordinator for the Hanul Family Alliance, a nonprofit organization that provides support to Korean and Korean American seniors and families. She also works to uplift the Korean American community, advocates for women and children, is an emerging author, and recently became the CEO of Wonhwa Warriors, LLC.<\/p>\n McLuen and the Hanul Family Alliance hosted immigration and legal services sessions for students during the second annual Undocumented Student Awareness in collaboration with the ODIL, which aided undocumented students to become better informed on current DACA processes and community immigration services. Her efforts have also led to engaging students and staff in community service at the Hanul Family Alliance, where participants volunteer as food packers and drivers to support local seniors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After two years of hosting the Annual Multicultural Awards Celebration virtually, 天美传媒\u2019s Office of Diversity and Intercultural Life (ODIL) resumed the event in person with community, food, and awards…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":86,"featured_media":85805,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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