Six outstanding faculty, staff and students have received the 1997 Equity and Excellence Awards for Ethnic Plurality at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The recipients are psychology Associate Professor Lerita Coleman of Boulder; Ruth Ann Cameron of Jamestown, staff assistant in linguistics and religious studies; graduate students Gregory Colores of Westminster and Nicki M. Gonzales of Denver; and undergraduates Linda Y. Chang of Aurora and Yvonne J. Montoya of Boulder.
Each recipient was awarded a $200 stipend and a framed certificate at the 12th annual Equity and Excellence Awards banquet on May. 3.
Following is biographical information on the 1997 Equity and Excellence Award recipients:
•Lerita Coleman, a ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä-Boulder faculty member since 1989, is an outstanding teacher, mentor and researcher on stigmatization and ethnic identity. She is committed to equity and excellence through her advocacy for minority students and faculty and is active in community outreach efforts.
•Ruth Ann Cameron, staff assistant for two departments, linguistics and religious studies, has provided strong support of equity for students. She has been instrumental in leading diversity efforts for both departments and helping undergraduate and graduate students move forward in their college careers.
•Gregory Colores, an outstanding doctoral student in environmental,
population and organismic biology, has taken part in programs to recruit diverse students and to prepare undergraduates for graduate school and research careers.
•Nicki M. Gonzales received a masterÂ’s degree in history last week and will enter the Ph.D. program at ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä-Boulder in the fall. An outstanding student, she is dedicated to outreach and community service, building connections between ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä-Boulder and the Hispanic community throughout Colorado -- particularly in the San Luis Valley.
•Linda Y. Chang, who received a bachelor of arts in ethnic studies last week, was in the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program and has taught English as a second language. She played a leadership role in diversity programs and issues, social causes and community building.
•Yvonne J. Montoya is a junior communications major and participant in minority programs including the Minority Arts and Sciences Program and the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program. She has been a biology teaching assistant, tutor and mentor for minority high school students and worked for issues of social justice and public health.