Inclusive Excellence Awards
2024 Awardees
Staff/Administrative Excellence AwardJacqui Springer
Jacqui is currently the Assistant Dean of Students, Student Support and Advocacy Services at the University of Rhode Island. She has also been a certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor since 2007 and teaches for College Unbound, an adult education program in Providence. A woman of Caribbean American descent, Jacqui strives to incorporate inclusion into her teaching and daily practice.
Faculty Excellence in Research AwardMelva Treviño Peña
Dr. Melva Treviño Peña (she/her/ella) is an assistant professor in the Fisheries, Animal, and Veterinary Sciences Department. She is a coastal human geographer and an ethnographer. Her broad research interests concern studying how intersecting identities (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, age, class, etc.) inform people’s perceptions of the environment and their responses to environmental change. Her current research in Rhode Island examines how and why members from marginalized ethnic and racialized communities, especially fishermen, seek shore access to improve their food security and overall well-being. Through this work, she aims to identify new and more equitable policy opportunities that strategically reduce barriers to coastal access for marginalized groups and recognize the contributions of self-provisioned fish to local & regional food security. Beyond her research pursuits, Dr. Treviño Peña actively engages in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives both within and beyond the university, including serving on the Board of Directors of the Latinx Geographies Specialty Group of the American Association of Geographers (2020-2023) and on the Executive Board of the England Faculty of Color Working Group since 2020.
Faculty Excellence in Community AwardAmanda Missimer
Dr. Missimer is a Clinical Assistant Professor with a joint appointment in the College of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition, and College of the Environment and Life Sciences, Cooperative Extension. The joint appointment allows her to work on interdisciplinary teams of faculty, students and staff to advance knowledge about food recovery statewide and implement programs to improve food access and food insecurity on the URI campus. Additionally, she instructs courses in several topics, with the most impactful being a grand challenge course on food insecurity as a public health problem with a lens on learning the facts complemented with community members from RI who are impacting change. The programs I co-coordinate, the URI Free Farmers’ Market and Food Recovery for Rhode Island, allow her to blend experiential learning with meaningful community-driven change.She has led three programs which help solve food insecurity on the URI campus and around RI. First, she reimagined Nutrition 212G: Public Health Nutrition to encourage students to think, not as individuals, but as members of the community whose decisions surrounding food insecurity have lasting effect. Second Food Recovery for RI (FRRI) diverted about 200,000 pounds of food to directly nourish RI communities. Finally, she spearheads the URI Free Farmers Market (FFM), a community-driven effort connecting URI-grown produce directly to URI students (50% food insecure) without fear of stigmatization.
Faculty Excellence in Inclusive Teaching AwardHanan Mogawer
Dr. Mogawer is a Chemistry Professor and has master’s in chemistry education from Brown University. She does not merely impart knowledge, but ignites curiosity, fosters inclusivity, and transforms the very landscape of learning. Her role in the Chemistry Department has been likened to a two-way street, bustling with the vibrant exchange of knowledge and understanding between her and her students. Dr. Mogawer herself says, “I learn from my students just as much, if not more, than they learn from me.” This humility and openness to learning is what makes her stand out as a pillar of educational excellence.Her teaching philosophy does not just pique student interest; it creates a sanctuary of engagement, a forum where every voice is heard and valued. She does not simply teach, but inspires and uplifts. She applied and received The Champlin Foundation grant alongside her colleague to deepen students’ comprehension of chemistry and hence enhance the sense of belonging. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Mogawer is someone who finds joy in the simplicity of life—be it socializing with friends or sharing serene walks along the sea wall in Narragansett with her husband. For her unwavering commitment to education, for her innovative spirit, and for her exceptional impact on the lives of countless students.
Undergraduate Student Academic Excellence AwardMegan Hughes
Megan is a junior studying for bachelors degrees in both Marine Biology and Psychology. She is also the President of the University of Rhode Island’s Student Veterans Organization, which works to ensure that all of our student veterans and their families have a welcoming and supportive place on campus as well as engaging veterans in the community through outreach and philanthropy.
Undergraduate Student Community Excellence AwardCristobal Bustos
Cristobal Bustos is a current Talent Development scholar, a BOND Brother and is from Cumberland, Rhode Island. His passion for filmmaking is driven by his commitment to shedding light on untold stories. His curiosity for storytelling has led him to release documentary films surrounding social justice protests at the University: The Black Student Leadership Group protest (1995) and Brothers United for Action protest (1998). His advocacy has impacted the current generation by educating them on the power that the student voice holds as well as the work that is still left to do. Cristobal is also the Founder and Executive Producer for CAPS Studios. His vision began in September of 2018, with the help of his late father Cristobal M. Bustos when he gifted him his first camera, and he officially established his video production business in August of 2023. He hopes to travel the world and keep on discovering untold stories.
Undergraduate Student Organization Excellence AwardBrothers On a New Direction (B.O.N.D.)
Established in 2007, Brothers On a New Direction (B.O.N.D), is a brotherhood that recognizes the need for unity amongst diverse young men on campus. Through service and mentorship, the men of B.O.N.D. pledge to guide young men towards personal and professional growth.
Graduate Student Academic Excellence AwardPriscilla Peña
Priscilla Peña is a marketing Ph.D. candidate at the College of Business, who will join the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, as an assistant professor starting fall 2024. Priscilla’s scholarly focus is on diversity, equity and inclusion, specifically examining the potential harms of inauthentic brand activism on individuals’ identity and coping mechanisms, along with developing recovery strategies for brands accused of “woke-washing.” Priscilla’s work has been recognized through published articles and presentations at conferences, earning her numerous awards and grants. Known for her innovative teaching methods, she has been acknowledged for her impact in the classroom and will serve as a guest editor for a journal in this topic. She expresses gratitude to the University of Rhode Island for fostering her authenticity and empowering her efforts to create more inclusive spaces.- Graduate Student Community Excellence Award
Satya Sullivan/Lauren Zane
Satya Sullivan is a graduate student in the Marine Affairs department and is currently producing a documentary about the seafood network of Rhode Island for her final project. In her career she focuses on the reimagination of filmmaking protocols, specifically when working with BIPOC communities. Satya is also the co-founder of a non-profit called Colorful Lineup that advocates for girls and women of color.
Lauren Zane is currently a Ph.D. student in the Marine Biology program at URI. She has been an advocate for marginalized voices, especially in STEM. She has led Diversity and Inclusion Badge Program workshops as a facilitator as well as participated in VOICES (Voices of Inclusion in Communities of Education and Science) in the College of Environment and Life Sciences. Outside of school, Lauren is an avid surfer.
Inclusive Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award (Selected by the President)Earl Smith III
Earl would have been deeply honored and humbled to stand before you today as the recipient of the first Inclusive Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award.Throughout his life he was fortunate to work alongside extraordinary individuals, organizations and communities that recognized the inherent value and dignity of every individual, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances. While attending the University of Rhode Island he along with other BLSG members fought for the hiring of racially diverse faculty and staff; diversifying the curriculum; financial support for students of color and disadvantaged backgrounds who were not admitted through the Talent Development program; and increased support for what is now known as the Office of Disability, Access, and Inclusion and the Gender and Sexuality Center.
For twenty plus years he served as the Associate Dean for the University of Rhode Island’s College of Arts & Sciences. Where he promoted student engagement, retention, and success by developing and implementing initiatives to support academic advising, career development, and student well-being. During his tenure, he established a Cabo Verde study abroad program that offered students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, broaden their academic horizons, and foster personal growth through international experiences.
As Board President of Paul Cuffee School, he played a vital role in providing leadership, governance, advocacy, and collaboration to ensure the success and well-being of the school community. His steadfast commitment to the interests of students, educators, families, and the broader community was essential in promoting inclusion and equity. All while strongly advocating for all students to pursue higher education.
His mentorship over the years has provided many people with the guidance, support, and inspiration for them to reach their full potential, as many embarked on their own transformational journey of learning, personal growth, and empowerment.
Earl touched many lives in ways that words cannot fully express, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, wisdom, and compassion that continues to inspire us each day. His legacy serves as a guiding light, reminding us to strive for excellence, to embrace diversity and to make a positive difference in our community and the world around us!