DIVERSITY CATALYST AWARDS - 2021 PROGRAM BOOK
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DIVERSITY
CATALYST
AWARDS
2021 PROGRAM BOOK
1
Diversity Catalyst Awards
Statement from Committee
The Diversity Catalyst Awards are designed to honor faculty or staff members,
programs or departments, and students or student organizations engaged in
diversity initiatives during the previous academic year that have promoted the
development of an inclusive, diverse campus community at the University of Iowa.
The Diversity Catalyst Seed Grant program supports projects and programs with an
immediate impact enhancing the diversity goals of the University of Iowa’s Strategic
Plan. In 2006, the Alliant Energy Foundation established an endowed fund, the
Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Achievement Award. This award celebrates and
honors outstanding scholarship and leadership by underrepresented minority
students in the state of Iowa. We honor and celebrate these achievements. The
BUILD initiative is an opportunity for UI faculty, staff, and graduate students to gain
strategic knowledge and skills to contribute to a welcoming and inclusive
environment for all. By completing a series of workshops, participants earn a
certificate demonstrating their commitment as leaders for diversity, equity, and
inclusion in the workplace and classroom.
Table of Contents
3 Opening Remarks
4 Keynote Address
5-6 Alliant Energy & Erroll B. Davis Jr. Achievement Awards
7-8 Diversity Seed Grants
9 - 13 Diversity Catalyst Awards
14 B.U.I.L.D. Certificates
15 Acknowledgements
2
Opening Remarks
Dr. Liz Tovar
Executive Officer and Associate Vice President
Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dr. Liz Tovar was named Executive Officer and Associate Vice
President of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DDEI)
on February 1, 2021. The position reports to the president and
provost and will serve on the President's Cabinet. The dual report
will ensure a direct connection to the university's academic mission.
In her permanent role, Tovar will oversee the Division of Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion while also serving as associate athletics
director overseeing Student-Athlete Academic Services and
continuing her role as a member of the UI Athletics senior management team. DDEI is
comprised of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity (EOD), the Center for Diversity &
Enrichment (CDE), and Diversity Resources (DR).
"I am honored to lead and be a part of such important work and important change on our
campus," says Tovar. "I look forward to continuing to break down silos and to build relationships
across the entire university."
Upon taking the full-time position, Dr. Tovar launched the universities' "Journey to Unity," a
messaging initiative to increase listening, discussion, and DEI storytelling. Tovar also began
listening to the campus community. Over six weeks, Dr. Tovar held 12 hour-long listening
sessions with over 80 students, faculty, and staff members to gauge the university's current
climate. Six themes consistently surfaced from these sessions and have become areas of action
for the coming year: Training; Accountability; Understanding of free speech and diversity;
Engagement of senior leadership; Increase our ability to listen, tell our stories and
communicate; and Build a welcoming community to recruit and retain a diverse university.
Dr. Tovar began a career in academic services in 1998 at the University of Kansas (KU) in
Lawrence, Kansas, where she also received undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees in
psychology, clinical psychology, and educational leadership and policy studies, respectively.
Before joining Iowa in 2013, Tovar managed student services and advised student-athletes in
psychology, clinical psychology, and educational leadership and policy studies, respectively.
Tovar managed student services and advised student-athletes in academic, personal, and
professional development at KU, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and Northern
Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. At Iowa, Tovar supervises daily operations within academic
services and managed academic and personal support services for over approximately 550
student-athletes across all 21 UI sports programs. Under Dr. Tovar's leadership, Iowa student-
athletes continue to graduate at an all-time high of 90 percent, which is second-highest in the
Big Ten Conference and is highest among Iowa's four Division I institutions. Dr. Tovar launched
the Hawkeye Life Program centering student-athlete growth on six pillars of excellence:
leadership, community engagement, academic success, career development, health & well-
being, and diversity & inclusion. Tovar was an integral member of the $6MM renovation of
Gerdin Athletic Learning Center. Dr. Tovar is married to Steve Tovar.
3
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Harriet B. Nembhard
Dean, College of Engineering
Roy J. Carver Professor of Engineering
Professor of Industrial Engineering
Harriet B. Nembhard is the 10th Dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Iowa
and holds the Roy J. Carver Professorship in Engineering. As dean, she oversees a variety of
programs, departments, and centers and institutes that support an undergraduate student
body of 2,100 students along with 110 faculty, 165 staff, 280 graduate students, and more than
15,000 alumni. Dr. Nembhard is also an accomplished researcher in manufacturing and
healthcare systems engineering. Her work has led to several advances including a patented
imprint lithography manufacturing process for small-scale medical devices and a sensor-based
system to conduct early screening for Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Nembhard is a Fellow of the
Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) and a Fellow of the American Society for
Quality (ASQ). She has advised 4 post-docs, 13 PhDs, and numerous other students and
scholars. Many of her former students hold significant positions in industry and academia
around the world. Throughout her career, she has advanced a community of inclusive
excellence where diversity, equity, and equal opportunity create a welcoming environment
that enables success for everyone. She has led and participated in efforts in this regard across
the academy and professional societies including NSF ADVANCE, NSF LATTICE, NSF TECAID,
National Academy of Engineering, and Society of Women Engineers.
4
Alliant Energy Foundation
Alliant Energy & Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Achievement Awards
In 2006, the Alliant Energy Foundation established an endowed fund, the
Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Achievement Award. This award celebrates the
importance of scholarship and leadership by underrepresented minority
students in the state of Iowa. The award annually honors outstanding
scholarship, leadership in campus and community organizations, and potential
for future career success of undergraduate students (rising seniors) in Business
or Engineering at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University or the University
of Northern Iowa.
Alliant Energy established the award to recognize and honor Erroll B. Davis, Jr.,
former CEO of Alliant Energy Corporation. Mr. Davis was the first African
American to head a “Business Week 1000” company. He was also named one of
the “50 Most Powerful Black Executives in America” by Fortune magazine in
2002.
Alliant
Energy.
Foundation
2021 Alliant Energy Representatives
Julie Bauer, Executive Director
Leah Rodenberg, Senior Community Affairs Programming
2021 Alliant Energy Award Selection Committee
Yashwant Prakash Vyas, Committee Chair & Award Coordinator, University of Iowa
Liz Tovar, Committee Member, University of Iowa
Chris E. Lukasiewicz, Committee Member, University of Northern Iowa
Shawn Marie Boyne, Committee Member, Iowa State University
5
Alliant Energy & Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Achievement Awards
Karen Ruby Devora Cigarroa
Major: Civil Engineering
Minor: Entrepreneurship
College of Engineering, Iowa State University
Karen is a first-generation student studying Civil Engineering at Iowa
State University, where she is also a Community Advisor for Helser Hall,
Peer Mentor for the LEAD Learning community, Multicultural Greek
Council exec member, and a proud member of Lambda Theta Alpha
Latin Sorority Inc. Her passion for engineering started in high school
when she participated in the Dallas Mayor’s Intern Fellows Program
and has grown since then through other internship experiences.
Maria Luz Alcala
Major: Human Resource Management and Business Analytics
Certificates: International Business and Leadership Studies
Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa
Luz Alcala is studying HR Management and Business Analytics in the
Tippie College of Business. She is passionate about DEI initiatives and
serves as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ambassador for the Tippie
College of Business. Luz is president of MBSA, a mentor and
coordinator for the BizEdge program, a peer leader for the Iowa Edge
program, and a dedicated sister of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
Hieu Nguyen
Major: Industrial Engineering
Minor: Business Administration
College of Engineering, University of Iowa
Born in Vietnam, Hieu grew up in Coralville, Iowa for most of his life.
While he is an industrial engineer, he hopes to use his technical
background in a business-oriented environment as he will be
interning at Goldman Sachs this summer in their NYC headquarters.
In the future, he plans to transition to an international career where
he can also further pursue his charity efforts in Vietnam.
Linnea Dawley
Major: Chemical Engineering
Minor: Sustainability
College of Engineering, Iowa State University
Linnea is a 4th-year student at Iowa State University studying
chemical engineering and sustainability. She wants to go into the oil
and gas industry and use her education and passion for sustainability
to find ways to be more sustainable in this type of industry. Outside of
academics, Linnea holds leadership positions in several clubs and
works for the College of Engineering.
6
Diversity Seed Grants
The Diversity Catalyst Seed Grant program supports projects and programs
with an immediate impact enhancing the diversity goals of the University of
Iowa’s Strategic Plan.
2021 Diversity Seed Grant Selection Committee
Yashwant Prakash Vyas, Committee Chair & Award Coordinator
Jennifer Modestou, Committee Member
Steven Wehling, Committee Member
Tabitha Wiggins, Committee Member
Nicholas Creary, Committee Member
Brianna Marcelo, Committee Member
Katie McCullough, Committee Member
Tracey Pritchard, Committee Member
2021 Diversitiy Catalyst Seed Grant Award Recipients
Translating Collection Guides into Chinese
(Traditional or Simplified)
The objective of this effort is to translate the most popular collection guides from
the University of Iowa's Special Collections and University Archives into Chinese.
Collection guides, also known as finding aids, are the online gateway to the Special
Collections’ manuscript collections, as they inform patrons to the contents of the
collections in order to assist them with their research and scholarly needs. Currently,
Special Collection’s finding aids are only listed in English, and by translating these
guides into Chinese, we aim to help bridge any language barriers that continue to
occur in our department with our Chinese patrons, especially international students
enrolled at the University of Iowa, therefore creating a more inclusive and
welcoming environment.
Lindsay Moen
Public Services Librarian, University of Iowa Special Collections and Archives
Jenna Silver Baustian
Processing Coordinator Archivist, University of Iowa Special Collections and Archives
7
Diversity Seed Grant
Surveying Louis Scarborough
Louis Scarborough was a Black animator, character designer and storyboard
artist, who was active from the late 1970′s through the 1990′s. His collection,
now at the University of Iowa Special Collections and University Archives, will
be inventoried in preparation for archival processing and description of the
materials. This project will result in another collection from a historically
underrepresented voice to be accessible, available, and represented in a field
where their voices are often left out.
Jenna Silver Baustian
Processing Coordinator Archivist, University of Iowa Special Collections and
Archives
Lindsay Moen
Public Services Librarian, University of Iowa Special Collections and Archives
Student Legal Services (SLS) Immigration Clinic
TheThe objective of this initiative is to provide free, high-quality legal advice to
students on immigration issues in order to ease the stress and distraction these
legal concerns can cause. Licensed attorneys will provide legal consultations on
issues including, but not limited to, family-based immigration, the Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and F-1 visa restrictions.
Amanda Elkins
Director and Attorney, Student Legal Services
Rachel Howell
Office Manager, Student Legal Services
Alyssa Pomponio
Attorney, Student Legal Services
Jessica Malott
Malott Law, PLC
8
Diversity Catalyst Awards
The Diversity Catalyst Awards are designed to honor faculty or staff members,
programs or departments, and students or student organizations engaged in
diversity initiatives during the previous academic year that have promoted the
development of an inclusive, diverse campus community at the University of
Iowa.
2021 Diversitiy Catalyst Award Recipients
Zahra Aalabdulrasul
B.B.A. - Entrepreneurial Management
Tippie College of Business, University of Iowa
Nominators: Kenneth Brown, Gabriela Rivera,
& Maria Guadalupe Bruno
Zahra Aalabdulrasul is a senior graduating this spring with a BBA in
Entrepreneurial Management as well as certificates in Event Planning and
Leadership. In her time at UI, Zahra has been central to diversity
programming in the Tippie College of Business in her multiple roles as a
BizEdge mentee, mentor, and student program coordinator, Black in
Business program assistant, and DEI ambassador. She has also shown her
dedication to DEI initiatives on a campus-wide scale through job titles like
Center Programming Assistant at the Afro House and leadership roles on
Dean of Students Advisory Board and Latinx Panel Series Planning
Committee. Throughout her college experience, Zahra has dedicated
significant time and energy to advocating for Black and Brown students
and building a web of connection and support. Moving forward, Zahra
intends to utilize her numerous strengths to work with big brands in a
social, creative environment.
9
Monique Antoinette Galpin
Admin Services Coordinator
College of Medicine Administration
Nominators: Joyce Tsai, Nicole del Castillo, &
Denise Martinez
Monique Galpin is the Administrative Services
Coordinator for the Summer Health Professions
Education Program (SHPEP) and Community
Outreach in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion at the Carver College of Medicine. SHPEP is
a pipeline program for undergraduate
underrepresented students pursuing medicine,
dentistry, pharmacy, or public health. In addition to
this initiative, she co-facilitates discussions on topics such as Implicit Bias, Fair
Hiring, and Responding Effectively to Mistreatment/Upstander Training.
Within the DEI office she maintains the Campus and Community Events
calendar, highlighting programming that centers marginalized voices and
inclusive representation. She has been with the University of Iowa since 2011
and has staffed the UI Health Care Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Week
committee since 2012. She has also been part of the UI African American
Council (AAC) family since 2014, serving as past president. Additionally,
Monique is a member of the Black Women’s Maternal Health Collective and
Stead Family Children’s Hospital Sickle Cell Symposium planning committee.
Jessica Padilla Solis (She/Her/Ella)
Women's Resource & Action Center Program
Coordinator for Iowa N.E.W. Leadership Institute
& UI Womxn of Colour Network Program
Nominators: Maria Guadalupe Bruno, Linda
Steward Kroon, & Isabella Senno
Full bio and notes of gratitude can be found on
the website.
Jessica Padilla was born and raised in Muscatine, Iowa. She is the daughter of
Mexican immigrant parents who instilled the importance of their language
and culture. As a Hawkeye alum, Padilla received a BA in International Studies
(Latin American Emphasis) and B.A. in Spanish, while also earning the Critical
10Affairs and through her involvement with the NASPA Undergraduate
Fellowship Program she decided to pursue graduate school at Iowa State
University where she received her Master's in Education in Student Affairs and
certificate in Education for Social Justice in 2016.
Her work at the Women's Resource & Action Center as Program Coordinator
involves implementing, coordinating, and assessing educational programs
through critical feminist analysis. Additionally, she oversees the program
development and operations of Iowa (N.E.W) National Education for Women's
Leadership Program, a program that she participated in as an undergraduate
student in 2013. In the Fall of 2017, she spearheaded the launch of the UIowa
Womxn of Colour Network (WOCN) Programming Series and Lunch Meet-ups.
The intention of these programs is to create space for dialogue, support, and
empowerment among students, faculty, and staff.
Yolanda D. Spears
Clinical Assistant Professor
Social Work
Nominators: Alison Oliver, Julia Klein Schmit,
& Mercedes Bern-Klug
Yolanda Spears is a Licensed Masters Level Social
Worker and a graduate of the University of Iowa
School of Social Work Bachelor and Master’s
degree programs. As a Clinical Assistant
Pprofessor at the University of Iowa, she currently
teaches social work master level course,
Discrimination Oppression and Diversity (DOD).
Additionally, she is the Coordinator of the
undergraduate Critical Cultural Competence Certificate Program. Coordinating
the certificate program includes teaching the foundational course, capstone
course and advising students in the certificate program. Yolanda is passionate
about teaching, mentoring, working with diverse populations, creating
community partnerships, and developing programs focusing on race, social
justice, cultural competence/humility, and creating spaces where marginalized
voices are at the center.
11International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)
Nominators: Shuhui Lin & Russ Ganim
IDWA I International Student
Advisory Board
The International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) seeks to voice international
student concerns and to advocate for international student needs in order to
improve international student experience and create a more inclusive campus
environment for international students.
Native American Council
Nominators: Adam Potter & Tracy Peterson
The mission of the Native American Council
(NAC) is to promote and improve the quality of
life for Native American faculty, staff, and
students at the University of Iowa. NAC goals
include: addressing the diverse needs and
concerns of Native Americans on campus; acting
as a voice for Native faculty, staff, and students;
serving as a formalized liaison between Native
staff, faculty, students, and the University of Iowa
community; and supporting the University of
Iowa's effort towards recruitment and retention
of Native faculty, staff and students.
12Appreciation to Nominees & Nominators
The selection process was challenging as we had several submissions praising
the work of several outstanding nominees. The committee would like to
acknowledge and honor all nominees for allowing us to learn about your
contributions to promote an inclusive and diverse campus community. We
want to thank all nominators for the time and effort you put into your
thoughtful nomination. Unfortunately, due to a limited number of awards
available, we could not award all nominees for the 2020-2021 year. With that
said, nominators, please do not hesitate to resubmit your nomination for next
year!
2021 Diversity Catalyst Award Selection Committee
Brianna Marcelo, Committee Co-Chair and Non-Voting Member
Erin Stresow, Committee Co-Chair and Voting Member
Jennifer Modestou, Committee Member
Bailey Anderson, Committee Member
Chad Rhym, Committee Member
Carlos Nelson, Committee Member
13B.U.I.L.D. Certificates
SUMMER 2020
Vanessa Weisskopf Daniel Bermudez
Sohair Abul Haija
KiKi Wessel Carter Burks
Rima Afifi
Addison Woll Elizabeth Caldwell
Kendal Arthur
Changhui Xu Angela Charsha-Harney
Theresa Bechtel
Allison Bierman FALL 2020 Liz Crooks
Diane Crosby
Stephen Bloom Neda Barrett
Michaela Curran
Colleen Bringman Cassandra Bausman
Carolyn Finley
Becky Bucklin Jenni Boerm
Meggan Fisher
Lori Cranston Mihaela Bojin
Tammy Fraser
Tammy Crull Maria Capecchi
Breann Fredrickson
Jessica DeYoung Kimberly Cooke
John Frick
Jane Dorman Sondra Cue
Jadvyga Gerasimovic
Sam Drella Phillip Deierling
Megan Gogerty
Frank Durham Jacob Feuerbach
Martin Happ
Tori Forbes Michael Forcier
Michelle Hayes
Kathy Ford Caroline Garske
Joseph Hetrick
Laura Goddard Kari Lyn Gates
Chelsea Hillman
Mackenzie Gross Jacob Grund
Adam Hooks
Maggie Grell Karli Kirsch
Sarah Horgen
Mark Grulke Megan Knight
Nichole Jenkins
Shamika Harris Amy Korthank
Tara Jennerjohn
Mallory Hellman Ben Landsee
Lexie Just
Zachary Hill Sarah Mascher Wallace
Amy Kassem
Christine Hockensmith Cindy Opitz
Colleen Kelley
Jane Huffman Tiffany Phillips
Malik Kelly
Jane Jackson Jade Rogers
Kurt Langel
Jennifer Kayle Erin Dalene Shane
Erin Lewis
Rebekah Kowal Elissa Thoman
Nikki Linderholm
Mackenzie Lechlitner Sherry Timmons
Angela Looney
Julianna Lee Debra Trusty
Isandra Martinez-Marrero
Suzanne Malo Gabriele Villarini
Maureen Owens
Teresa Marshall Pauline Wieland Plowan
Sara Pettit
Ashley Cheyemi McNeil Mollie Willis
Lisa Piper
Cassandra Nguyen SPRING 2021 Tracey Pritchard
Heather Parrish
Tiffany Adrain Rahul Rastogi
Patricia Kimbrough
Amelia Akers Matthew Rhodes
David Rethwisch
Caroline Allen Adrienne Rose
Emily Robnett
Thomas Arce Praneel Samanta
Tristan Schmidt
Susan Bailey Maureen Schafer
Rachel Schramm
Annette Beck Vivian Sheridan
Kay Shie
Jaime Bell Jill Soppe
Lori Steffens
April Tippett
Robert Svetly
Erin Turnis
Jill Tobin
Steven Varga
Paige Townley
Sarah Vigmostad
Laurie Walkner
Katie Villhauer
Dagong Wang
Melisa Wallace Rusk
14GRATEFUL THANKS &
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Dr. Liz Tovar , Executive Officer of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and
Associate VIce President
Dean Harriet Nembhard, College of Engineering
Division of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Alliant Energy Foundation
Alliant Energy Award Selection Committee
Diversity Seed Grant Selection Committee
Diversity Catalyst Award Selection Committee
Diversity Catalyst Award Planning Committee
15Thank You!
Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
diversity.uiowa.edu
Center for Office of Equal
Diversity and Enrichment Opportunity and Diversity
cde@uiowa.edu diversity@uiowa.edu
(319) 335 - 3555 (319) 353 - 0705
Diversity Resources
diversity-resources@uiowa.edu
(319) 353 - 2388
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