Chancellor's Commission Recognizes Extraordinary Women and Women's Advocates

Photos Submitted

Top, from left: Jamie Hestekin, Micah Wallace, Rickey Booker, Celina Suarez and Huda Sharaf. Bottom: Linda Guzman, Derita Dawkins, Shauna Morimoto and Chris Pohl.

Each academic year, the Chancellor's Commission on Women recognizes Extraordinary Women and Women's Advocates from the Uy of A community. The commission received more than 150 nominations for the 2020-21 recognitions. 

An extraordinary woman is a woman who leads by example, is a role model, and is an inspiration for others. She empowers those around her and makes a positive impact on women's experiences on our campus in leadership or service. This year's extraordinary women honorees are:

• Faculty Leadership: Shauna Morimoto, associate professor, sociology and criminology

• Faculty Service: Celina Suarez, associate professor, geosciences

• Staff Leadership:

  • Chris Pohl, senior associate athletics director

  • Derita Dawkins, deputy athletic director, student-athlete wellness

• Staff Service: Huda Sharaf, medical director, Pat Walker Health Center

• Student Leadership: Micah Wallace, junior, political science and broadcast journalism major

• Student Service: Linda Guzman, clinical graduate student, psychology

A women's advocate is an individual who leads by example, is a role model and is an inspiration for others seeking gender equality and women's empowerment. They empower those around them and make a positive impact on women's experiences on our campus. This year's honorees are:

• Rickey Booker, trainer, facilitator and consultant, IDEALS Institute

• Jamie Hestekin, professor, Ralph E. Martin Professorship in Chemical Engineering

This year's recognizees will be honored at the commission's annual event, which will be streamed live at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 13, on UATV. Razorback gymnastics head coach and Olympic gold medalist, Jordyn Wieber, will speak on the theme Overcoming: Navigating Change and Finding Your Resiliency following the recognitions. Wieber's remarks will be moderated by journalism student and UATV assistant producer, Kalyn Jackson.

Everyone is invited to attend. The event will stream live on Cox cable channel 214 and on social media:

Facebook - UATV News
Twitter - @uatvnews

About the Chancellor's Commission on Women: Founded in 2010, the Chancellor's Commission on Women is an advisory group charged with reviewing and monitoring policies, programs and issues to ensure that all women at the university are given the best possible opportunities for success within the institution and in their professional and college careers. Membership comprises both graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and staff who serve on staggered three-year appointments to ensure fresh and diverse points of view. The group collectively decides on issues to address each year, and relies on input from colleagues, students, and occasional surveys to gain a sense of the campus' interests and needs.