BEACONS OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS
The University of Utah’s Beacons of Excellence Award was introduced in 2012 through a partnership between the Office of Undergraduate Education and the Division of Student Affairs. As part of the University’s campaign to transform the undergraduate experience, the goal of the award is to recognize and celebrate the outstanding people, programs or projects who have helped make the University a Beacon of Excellence through their commitment to providing an exceptional student education.
The 2021 theme “Beacons of Change" celebrated individuals and programs disrupting the status quo while creating positive change. Recipients were recognized for inspiring and advancing change by raising awareness around marginalized students, creating institutional change, and advancing racial justice across campus.
2021 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Jennifer Follstad Shah, PhD
Assistant Professor, Environmental & Sustainability
Dr. Shah isn’t afraid to change things up to achieve positive outcomes. When a student
of hers was concerned that the assigned textbook wasn’t sensitive enough to the power
dynamics of race, she rearranged her class schedule to discuss the issue in depth
and take input from alternative texts. It's just one example of how she continually
empowers students and boldly leads out as a Beacon of Change.
Meligha Garfield
Director, Black Cultural Center
Along with being a truly dynamic and groundbreaking leader, Meligha Garfield is an agent of transformational change. As the inaugural director of the U’s Black Cultural Center, he has been tireless in shaping our campus into a more welcoming place for everyone, especially students of color. His contribution cannot be measured, but it is significant and sustained.In short, Meligha embodies what it means to be a Beacon of Change.
Tramaine Jones
Student Success Advocate, Student Success and Empowerment
Tramaine is committed to providing all students access to high-quality education and drew on the incredibly strong relationships he’s built to design and launch the Student Advocate program, which engages staff in important discussions about racial justice and anti-racism so they can best support students of color. With his motivating words and inspiring actions, he’s showing the way as a Beacon of Change.
International Health Scholars
Student Organization
International Health Scholars is making an outsized impact...on a truly worldwide scale. It’s a student-led organization that educates and empowers future global health professionals by teaching them the nuances of mission-type work...how to adapt to a community-centered model...and how to work ethically in this field. These are just a few of the ways they’re shining brightly as Beacons of Change.
Justice Lab
S.J. Quinney College of Law
The Justice Lab is a new clinical course where law students solve real legal problems for organizational clients — and strive to change the legal system for good. In its inaugural year, students helped vulnerable groups, such as the homeless, gain greater access to government ID’s and drafted the first-ever comprehensive report on Utah’s eviction and housing laws. Just what you’d expect from a Beacon of Change.
Psychology Dept Diversity Committee
Department of Psychology
If you’re looking for a committed group advancing lasting change, look no further than the Psychology Department Diversity Committee. It’s made up of students who feel passionately about creating equitable opportunities for marginalized groups and diversifying educational experiences in the psychology department. In ways big and small, they’re a standout Beacon of Change.