Distinguished Community Engagement Award

The Distinguished Community Engagement Award was created in 2013. Given annually, the award recognizes the important and innovative community-engaged and community-based work by faculty at the University of Washington Tacoma. Such work is based on an ethic of mutual benefit in which both the community partner and/or public and the university, its faculty, and/or its students benefit in ways not possible without the partnership. This work may be short or long term and may be with a single or multiple partners, and should have been active within the past three years. It may be focused on teaching and learning, research, policy, citizenship building, creative work, or community building.

The 2020 nomination and application process is closed.  Please contact ocp@uw.edu with any questions about this award or the application process.

How to Apply
Selection Process

2021 Recipients

Community Engagement Award for Equity in Education

Amanda Figueroa, M.S., Senior Director, Student Transitions Program, Student Affairs

This award recognizes Amanda’s deep commitment to improving equity and educational access for youth and pre-college students, whether those who have traditionally been underrepresented in STEM or students who were not beneficiaries of a college going culture within their own communities.  Her leadership and work with many community partners and multiple programs or initiatives exemplify how partnership with a keen focus on equity in education can improve student success in post-secondary education at UW Tacoma.

Community Engagement Legacy Award

Divya McMillin, Ph.D, Professor, Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Global Engagement, Institute for Innovation and Global Engagement

This award recognizes Dr. McMillin for her sustained efforts in building bridges between the university and the community. She has a long history as an innovator and builder at UWT. Dr. McMillin has worked enthusiastically and strategically with community partners, while remaining deeply involved in global engagement and scholarship.

Community Engaged Learning Award in Environmental Stewardship

Julie Masura, M.S., Associate Teaching Professor, Sciences and Math, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences

This award recognizes the work of Julie Masura in environmental stewardship through sustained co-learning opportunities for students and community partners. She brings DEI perspectives to these educational opportunities to enrich the work of her students.

Community Engagement Award in Institutional and Systems Analytics

Haluk Demirkan, Ph.D., Milgard Professor & Assistant Dean for Analytics Innovations & Director, Center for Business Analytics; and Master of Science in Business Analytics, Milgard School of Business

Dr. Haluk Demirkan has helped create and shape an academic program dedicated to co-learning opportunities for students and community partners. His work embodies the spirit of higher education with a focus on making systems and institutional level changes.

Community Engagement Award in Institutional and Systems Analytics

Margo Waddell Bergman, Ph.D., Associate Teaching Professor & Assistant Director for MSBA and MCL Programs, Milgard School of Business.

Dr. Bergman has played a central role in facilitating co-learning opportunities for students and regional partners. Her work has proven to be influential, in demand, and capable of offering system-level changes.

Community-Centered Engagement Award

Robin Minthorn Zape-tah-hol-ah Starr Minthorn, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Ed.D. Director and, School of Education

This award recognizes Dr. Minthorn’s lifelong commitment to community engagement. Her work can best be described as community-centered and in the community. Dr. Minthorn has brought her passion and commitment to working in indigenous communities from New Mexico to the Pacific Northwest. Her approach to community engagement is informed by inclusivity and co-creation, helping break barriers between university and community.  

Sustained Community Engagement Award

Tom Diehm, Ph.D., Teaching Professor and Director of Field Education, School of Social Work & Criminal Justice

Dr. Diehm embodies sustained community engagement. This award recognizes his decades-long work with community partners and support of students through their co-learning opportunities. Generations of students and a multitude of organizations have benefited from his sustained commitment to creating community-based educational opportunities.  

Community Engagement Award in Human Rights

Vanessa de Veritch Woodside, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Culture, Arts and Communication, School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences

This award recognizes Dr. de Veritch Woodside’s commitment to engaging with critical social issues of our time through work with community partners. Her engagement activities are centered on human rights through the lens of ethics. Dr. de Veritch Woodside’s work is a source of inspiration and support for our students and community partners.

 

Past Recipients