The UAA Diversity Action Council serves as a resource to UAA Chancellor Tom Case in support of advancing diversity and inclusion on UAA campuses. The Diversity Action Council actively promotes activities and programs throughout the campus in alignment with UAA's International and Intercultural Learning Outcomes and honors exemplary actions that contribute to a supportive campus climate.

One specific recognition is the awarding of the UAA Student Diversity Award, which is designed to recognize student contributions that have significantly enhanced diversity on a UAA campus by:

• Increasing visibility of diverse people, cultures and/or perspectives;
• Creating a welcoming environment; and/or
• Representing diverse student voices through advocacy and participation in UAA student organizations.

Congratulations to the spring 2015 Student Diversity Award winners: Maria Crouch, Kyle Demientieff-Worl, Andrew Freed II, "Jenny" Jaeyeon Cho, Ashleigh Gaines, "Jae" Jae Min Cho, Eli Michael-Trumbull, Jordan Norquist, Nayade Perez, Steffanie La Torre, Ana Azpilcueta, Tyler Ching, Edward Washington II and Yasuhito Nakasato. Watch for new "I AM UAA" profiles and photos, highlighting their contributions.

About the awardees: Maria Crouch

"Since entering the Ph.D. program, Maria has continued to impress me as both a student and community activist. As part of one of her doctoral classes with Professor E.J. David, Maria wrote a letter to the editor of the Alaska Dispatch News titled, ''A Message to LGBTQ Alaskans: You are Welcome Here."

This was not only an incredibly welcoming piece-it was also an incredibly brave one. Although there have been hundreds of moments in my 23 years as a faculty member at UAA where I have been moved, inspired and incredibly proud of one of my students, reading this was one of the few that brought me to tears.

I cannot give Maria a higher endorsement for the student diversity award. She is a shining example of what one person can achieve-personally, professionally and in her community-when your heart and mind are in the right place." -Claudia Lampman, director and professor, Department of Psychology

Kyle Demientieff-Worl "I feel passionate about promoting language diversity and revitalization on campus and in the wider community. A little over a year ago, I came upon the opportunity to teach my native language, Tlingit, during a

multicultural event at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. It was such a profound and fun experience that I eventually decided that I would dedicate myself to teaching a Tlingit Language Learners Group every Friday at the UAA Gorsuch Commons, free and open to anyone that has an interest in the language. It has been challenging but I feel committed to bring my native language back to life in not only myself but in my people. Another of my extracurricular activities is being a Community Engaged Student Assistant for an International Studies professor, with my advocacy being to promote world linguist diversity. In this role I have worked with many students over the past two years in teaching the importance of language diversity and creating service-learning projects on campus, such as the Yup'ik, Unangax and Inupiaq Language and Game Nights."  -Kyle Demientieff-Worl

Andrew Freed III

"As UAA Black Student Union president, my goal is to have meaningful events regarding black issues and our perspectives. How does hosting meaningful events regarding black issues and perspectives promote diversity? Consistent with the demographics of the United States of America, black students are a minority group on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. According to collegeboard.com, black or African students make up 4 percent of the 16,577 undergraduate students on the campus of UAA. If these meaningful events were not held, it would be a lost opportunity for the campus to experience diversity. If the minority voice is not represented than it will be forgotten and forgotten voices is not how diversity is welcomed. Through our meaningful events that address cultural crossings (showing of 'Black in Latin America' film series) and social injustice ('After Ferguson' discussion panel), we encourage diversity." -Andrew Freed              

"Jenny" Jaeyeon Cho "During the time that I have known Jaeyeon, it has become apparent to me that she is an example of a student who is committed to promoting diversity on campus, increasing awareness of health-related issues impacting the student population, enriching her connection in the community through volunteering and developing the necessary leadership skills to reach her full potential as a professional." -Andreá Alexander, Scholars @ UAA transition advisor

Ashleigh Gaines "UAA is an institution of higher learning that allows me as a student leader to engulf myself in the many traditions of different cultures. I have welcomed students of all races, religions, orientations and backgrounds to this great institution. When a student greets me or I greet them I show the utmost respect by letting them know that UAA is a diverse and welcoming place, where they are free to express themselves through their culture." -Ashleigh Gaines

"Jae" Jae Min Cho "As a student leader, Jae creates an environment where all students feel welcomed and valued. Jae has showed dedication to promoting diversity, strong leadership skills and the ability to connect with students. One example of Jae's commitment to promoting diversity and creating an inclusive community is during Orientation Days he attends as the staff support for the NCBI sessions 'Every One Counts.'

Jae is a phenomenal student leader and will continue to have a positive impact on the UAA community as he continues his academic journey here at UAA!" -Lacy Karpilo, associate vice chancellor for Student Access, Advising & Transition

Eli Michael-Trumbull "For the last four years I have been researching and exploring my gender identity as well as my sexual identity. I am part of a community that is misunderstood and discriminated against in jobs, safety, housing and equality. I openly express my uniqueness and invite others to ask questions and provide an opportunity to educate others on gender expression. By staying friendly and open, I allow others a space that encourages open and honest conversation. Many beliefs and biases are deeply rooted in emotion and tied to our families' actions or thoughts about another group. By allowing education and discovery, I can provide an environment where people are free to be themselves and recognize that uniqueness and diversity should be celebrated. When we talk to others, we can find some similarities and connect to others whom we originally perceived as different. These small connections can shake our biases and open our minds to diverse people and cultures." -Eli Michael-Trumbull

Jordan Norquist "As her mentor, I am proud to say that Ms. Norquist has truly embraced the responsibility for creating a dialogue between cultures and to communicate the importance of such discourse to her contemporaries. She possesses the passionate awareness of the need for global interaction, and her leadership aims at increasing mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchange, a role she has taken on at UAA." -Natasa Masanovic, associate professor and coordinator of German, chair of the Department of Languages

Nayade Perez "My current position as an information clerk allows me to assist students from different backgrounds here at the UAA Learning Resources Center. I often translate for bilingual students, and make them feel as comfortable as possible in their transition to the UAA community. I can relate to their struggle and how difficult it is to attend college while trying to learn a new language. I understand how it is to come to a new country and adapt to a different culture. A bilingual student has a better chance to understand if another bilingual student its providing assistance. Students with physical, mental disabilities and veterans are a few of the many others whom I assist. I'm very thankful to be allowed to make a difference and give back to the university community." -Nayade Perez

Steffanie La Torre "I have always considered myself blessed in having been born to parents from different nationalities. I have spent the majority of my life moving between the United States and Ecuador and therefore consider myself a product of two distinct and equally beautiful cultures... I have learned to value and respect the uniqueness of each individual and their culture. I naturally promote an environment that is welcoming to people of diverse backgrounds. I am eager to learn and easily fascinated by peoples stories and perspectives. I embrace people and make them feel accepted and valued for who they are and the experiences that have shaped them." -Steffanie La Torre

Ana Azpilcueta "Ana is an exceptional leader on the UAA campus who always strives to create welcoming and warm environments for all. Ana is very focused on inclusion and insuring that no one ever feels left out. As her direct supervisor, I have the pleasure of observing her in a variety of circumstances and activities where her leadership skills and abilities have consistently shone through." -Rachel Kampstra, Student Activities coordinator

Tyler Ching "I am the founder and former president of the University of Alaska Anchorage Hip Hop Club... The Hip Hop Club represented on-campus diversity through sharing of a common interest. Those from diverse backgrounds and walks of life came to the Hip Hop club to share their passion of hip-hop. This consequently created a cultural exchange between our members and in turn was a proverbial melting pot of sorts.

I am currently working as a paralegal assistant at Cascadia Cross-Border Law, a law firm specializing in immigration law. Working there, I am able to assist in helping people from all over the world seek residency status here in the United States. The process of becoming a legal immigrant is an extremely difficult and arduous one. By working at the law firm, I am lending a helping hand in something much larger than myself, while advancing social justice and diversity in not only Anchorage, but in the United States as a whole." -Tyler Ching

Edward Washington II "Being a young black man, there are many stereotypes that I am forced to encounter. My parents raised me to speak properly and dress appropriately, but this made it tough to be around my peers. They would mock me saying that I 'speak like a white person,' or that I 'don't act black.' That bothered me because it insinuated that because of my ethnic background, I was incapable of articulating my thoughts intelligently. These stereotypes have followed me all the way into adulthood. I do not consider myself an activist, but I do recognize that we all deal with prejudice. I do my best to be mindful of what I say to others and respect cultural differences. Also, I work very hard to encourage people to embrace their heritage and realize that the stereotypes do not define them." -Edward Washington II

Yasuhito Nakasato "Since coming to America, I presented on Japanese culture and gender issues at the UAA Campus Bookstore. I educated students about Japan and introduced a different perspective. As a Japanese student, it was very important to share my culture and prevent people from being narrow-minded or xenophobic. I shared my personal experiences about having difficulty of being myself in many societies as a gay man and I was more than happy to answer their questions. To become a volunteer and engage with diversity allows me to understand what they need and become more educational. I am more experienced living in America than other new international students, so it is very natural for me to support them. As I understand the diversity, it is important to stand for equality and act because that is what a leader must do." -Yasuhito Nakasato

February Archive