Diversity Award Winners
The annual CWU Diversity Awards recognize the work of people or groups who have made positive, observable, and sustainable impacts on diversity, inclusion, and equity for the campus and/or wider community. This year’s honorees include:
Jessica Hernández: A CWU student who is involved in supporting and empowering other students through Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlan (MEChA) and is the current ASCWU VP for Equity and Community Affairs.
Verónica Gómez-Vilchis: A CWU staff member who bridges cultures and communities through advocating for others and implementing opportunities for mutual learning. She has been integral in the creation of the Día de los Muertos event, the growth of the Latinx Alumni Association, and student participation in the US Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI).
Susana Flores: An assistant professor in the College of Education and Professional Studies who promotes the interests of Latinx students on campus and has been a longtime supporter of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Michel O’Brien: An assistant English professor at CWU who promotes safe spaces for colleagues and students. O’Brien is a founding member and mentor for Queer Arts Collective (QuAC) which has developed new curricular opportunities in the English department around social justice topics for marginalized groups.
Malbert “Mal” Stewman: A CWU alum who now serves as the academic success coordinator for student athletes. He has been successful in helping men and other advantaged groups to take action to help create a more socially just community. His work with Green Dot, men of color, and male athletes to bring awareness and understanding of masculinity and its consequences has made a distinctive mark on campus.
Tylene Carnell: An Ellensburg community member who serves as the regional philanthropy officer for the Pride Foundation. She supports and advocates for human rights, with much of her work benefiting the Ellensburg community. Carnell founded VOICES (Visions of Improving Communities through Education and Support) and is a founding member of Helen House and Justice for our Neighbors.
Bobby Cummings: A CWU English professor, who was honored with a lifetime achievement award in recognition for her commitment to multiculturalism and diversity. Cummings, who earned a Distinguished Professor award for service in 2011, was instrumental in establishing the Africana and Black Studies minor.
“We received a lot of thoughtful, detailed submissions this year, and the committee is very grateful to everyone who participated in the nomination process,” said Sigrid Davison, the selection committee chair and an associate director for the Office of the Associate Provosts at CWU. “It was inspiring to learn about all of the things people on campus and in the community are doing to promote diversity.”
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