UC Davis celebrated the 2023 recipients of the Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Diversity and Community, as well as the 20th anniversary of the awards program, in a March 29 ceremony at the Chancellor’s Residence.

Here we present the award winners’ names and brief affiliations, and invite you to read more about them on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website. Awards were presented in six categories to the following:

• Zina Austin, staff
• Alexus Roberts Hugghis, graduate student
• Fuifuilupe Niumeitolu, post-doctorate
• Stephany Sanchez, Academic Federation
• Brian Soucek, Academic Senate
• Emma Tolliver, undergraduate

‘Talent, tenacity, commitment’

In her welcome remarks, Renetta Garrison Tull, vice chancellor of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, noted the impetus for the program’s founding 20 years ago: to honor exemplary accomplishments that contribute in substantial ways to the development and well-being of our diverse and evolving community.

“Tonight’s awardees were nominated and selected as their service, scholarship, contributions, leadership and outstanding efforts embody the Principles of Community.”

Chancellor Gary S. May also addressed the audience: “The award winners we recognize today remind me of how much talent, tenacity and commitment to diversity we find across UC Davis and our region.

“Our award recipients come from a wide range of backgrounds, and represent different fields. They’re the people who are helping to push UC Davis to deepen our connections and impact across our increasingly diverse communities.

He acknowledged the work that lies ahead: “There remain opposing forces that constantly push against our efforts to integrate diversity, equity and inclusion in all we do.

“That’s why it’s so important to uplift and highlight UC Davis, students, faculty, staff, and post-doctoral students who do the great work of exemplifying our Principles of Community.”

DEI RETIREE

Vickie Gomez, center, is pictured with LeShelle May and Chancellor May, who took the opportunity after the awards ceremony to congratulate Gomez on her pending retirement from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She has worked in the Office of Campus Community Relations (now part of DEI) for 15 years, leading initiatives and programs to foster diversity, equity and inclusion, including the Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Diversity and Community, and Soaring to New Heights. She was instrumental in the development of the university’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Vision. She is retiring in June as the director of Campus Community Engagement. She has worked in higher education for 35 years: 14 in a TRiO counseling program at San José State University and the last 21 at UC Davis, including six years as an undergraduate advisor in the College of Letters and Science before moving to the Office of Campus Community Relations.