Office for Women

Women Creating Excellence at IUPUI

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Annual Women's Leadership Awards

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Annual Women's Leadership Awards
Pacesetter Awards
NWSA Award
Taylor Award for Excellence in Diversity

Women’s History Month Annual Leadership Awards

As part of the National Women’s History Month observance every year in March, women faculty, staff and student leaders are recognized and celebrated at an annual leadership reception sponsored by the Office for Women and the Division of Student Affairs.

This event began in 1998 as a luncheon sponsored by the Commission on Women and the office of Campus Interrelations to celebrate Women’s History Month to honor top women student leaders on campus. In 2002 recognition awards were added for full-time faculty and staff as a part of this event. In 2005 an award was added for part-time women faculty or staff. In 2009, an "Inspirational Woman" award was created. The event has evolved over the years into an annual reception featuring a keynote address on the National Women’s History Month theme and the presentation of awards to top women faculty, staff and student leaders on campus.

2017 Women's History Month Theme: Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business

Newcomer Staff:

Susannah Gawor, Director, Graduate Business Programs in Medicine, IU Kelley School of Business
Brandi Rund, Support Services Team Lead, IUPUC

Veteran Staff:

Vicki Daugherty, Program Manager and Diversity Coordinator, IU School of Informatics and Computing
Kimberly Lewis, Associate Registrar, IUPUI Office of the Registrar

Veteran Faculty:

Leslie Ashburn-Nardo, Associate Professor, Psychology, IUPUI School of Science
Janice Blum, Associate Vice Chancellor for Graduate Education, IUPUI
Elaine Cooney, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, IUPUI School of Engineering and Technology
Robin Hughes, Executive Associate Dean, IU School of Education

Inspirational Woman Award:

Jane Schultz, Professor, English, IU School of Liberal Arts

Student Awards:

Melanie Scheive, School of Science Major: BS Neuroscience
Gabriela Mazur , School of Science. Majors: BS in Biochemistry & Neuroscience
Amber Kriech , School of Engineering and Technology. Major: Organizational Leadership & Supervision
Lyla Mahmoud , School of Liberal Arts. Major BA Political Science
Melanie Wiseman, IU School of Medicine. Major: Third Year Medical Doctorate
Jacquelyn Fletcher , School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Major: Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

2016 Women's History Month Theme: Working to Form a More Perfect Union--Honoring Women in Public Service and Government

Part-time Faculty
Melissa Cavaghan, Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, IU School of Medicine

Part-time Staff
Shannon Kelley, Academic Advisor, IU School of Liberal Arts, IUPUI

Veteran Staff
Etta Ward, Executive Director of Research Development, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, IUPUI
Denise Scroggins, Director of Faculty and Academic Services, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs, IUPUI

Newcomer Faculty
Amanda Friesen, Assistant Professor, Political Science, IU School of Liberal Arts, IUPUI
Elizabeth Ramos, DDS, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics and Allied Dental Program, IU School of Dentistry

Veteran Faculty
Janet Carpenter, Distinguished Professor and Associate Dean for Research, IU School of Nursing
Crystal Garcia, Associate Professor, Criminal Justice, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs, IUPUI
Kathleen Marrs, Associate Professor, Biology, Purdue School of Science, IUPUI

Inspirational Woman Award – Faculty
Karen Bravo, Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and International Affairs, IU McKinney School of Law (represented in photo by her daughters)

Inspirational Woman Award – Staff
Merle Illg, Assistant to the Dean, IU School of Liberal Arts, IUPUI

Student Awards:
Sarah Cruser, doctor of physical therapy
Taylor Dooley, bachelor of arts in philanthropic studies
Jazmin Jones, bachelor of science in health services management
Johanna Leblanc, juris doctorate
Emily Sightes, bachelor of arts in community health
Anna Sohail, bachelor of arts in chemistry

2015 Women's History Month Theme: Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives

Newcomer Staff

Cynthia Felsten, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Indiana University – Purdue University Columbus

Tara Hobson-Prater, Director, Indiana BioMedical Gateway, IU School of Medicine

Veteran Staff

Tralicia Lewis, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Indiana University –Purdue University, Indianapolis

Inspirational Woman Award - Staff

Pamela Blevins Hinkle, Director, The Spirit and Place Festival, The Polis Center, IU School of Liberal Arts, IUPUI

Newcomer Faculty

Cherri Hobgood, MD, Chair, and Rolly McGrath Professor, Emergency Medicine, IU School of Medicine

Genevieve G. Shaker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Philanthropic Studies, IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, IUPUI; Associate Dean for Development and External Affairs, IU School of Liberal Arts, IUPUI

Veteran Faculty

Mary Guerriero Austrom, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Diversity Affairs, Wesley P. Martin Professor of Alzheimer Disease Education , IU School of Medicine

Teresita M. Bellido, Ph.D., Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Professor of Medicine, IU School of Medicine

Bonnie Blazer-Yost, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Purdue School of Science, IUPUI

Gina Sanchez Gibau , Ph.D., Associate Dean for Student Affairs, IU School of Liberal Arts, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, IU School of Liberal Arts, IUPUI

Theresa Rohr-Kirchgraber, MD, Executive Director, National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, IU School of Medicine; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine

Inspirational Woman Award – Faculty

Angela Tomlin, Ph.D., Director, Riley Child Development Center, Riley Hospital for Children; Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine

Sheila Suess Kennedy, J.D., Professor of Law and Public Policy, IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs, IUPUI; Director, Center for Civic Literacy, IUPUI

Student Awards:

Amy Shackelford, School of Social Work

Lucy Frick, IU McKinney School of Law

Michelle Kwolek, Herron School of Art and Design,

Carolina Castoreno, IU School of Liberal Arts;

Nicole Blair, IU School of Nursing,

Corinne Blackburn, Purdue School of Science, IUPUI.

Bailey K. Moss, an English major at IUPU – Columbus was recognized as the “Inspirational Woman Student.”

2014 Women's History Month Theme: Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment

Veteran Faculty :

Mary Dankoski, PhD., Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, IU School of Medicine; Vice Chair for Faculty and Academic Affairs, Department of Family Medicine; Lester D. Bibler Scholar and Associate Professor of Family Medicine.

Newcomer Faculty :

Pratibha Varma-Nelson, PhD, Executive Director, IUPUI Center for Teaching and Learning; Professor of Chemistry, Purdue School of Science, Indianapolis

StaffWinner :

Cara Fast, MSW, Manager, Safety Education and Outreach Division, Department of Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine

Inspirational Woman Award :

Julie Goodspeed-Chadwick, PhD., Director of the Office of Student Research, Associate Professor of English, Indiana University – Purdue University, Columbus

2013 Women's History Month Theme: Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination

Veteran Faculty :

Dominique Galli, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research, IUPUI, Associate Professor of Oral Biology, IU School of Dentistry

Marianne Wokeck, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, IU School of Liberal Arts at Indianapolis, Chancellor’s Professor of History,

Newcomer Faculty :

LaQuia Walker,Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, IU School of Dentistry

Veteran Staff :

Jane Alexander, Academic Advisor, Department of Biology, Purdue School of Science, IUPUI

Newcomer Staff :

Mansi Patel, Communications Specialist, Center for Service and Learning, IUPUI

Inspirational Woman Award :

Cathy Buyarski , Executive Assistant Dean University College, IUPUI

Student Awards :
Patricia Jordan, Graduate Student, Philanthropic Studies and Public Affairs
Jennifer Romine, Senior, Biology
Daisy Pham , Senior, Accounting, Finance and International Studies
Kristyn Seibert, Senior, Biology
Oaksoon Callahan, Senior, English and Anthropology

Organizational Impact Award : Women in Science House Council

2012 Women's History Month Theme: Women's Education - Women's Empowerment

Veteran Faculty :

Nancy M. Robertson, Associate Professor of History and Philanthropic Studies, and Director of Women’s Studies Program, IU School of Liberal Arts, Indianapolis

Newcomer Faculty:

Ronda Henry Anthony, Associate Professor of English and African Studies, and Director of the Olaniyan Scholars Program, IU School of Liberal Arts, Indianapolis

Melissa Ann Kacena, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, IU School of Medicine

Veteran Staff :

Mary Jane Brown, Executive Director, Center for Adult and Lifelong Learning, IUPUI Division of Continuing Studies

Pamela S. Perry, Communications Director, IU School of Medicine

Newcomer Staff: :

Dawn M. Whitehead, Director of Curriculum Internationalization, IUPUI Office of International Affairs

Inspirational Woman Award:
Amy Jones Richardson, Assistant Director of Recruitment, Retention, and Academic Services, IU School of Liberal Arts, Indianapolis

Student Awards::
Fatoumata Bah, a junior in Chemistry
Jessica Jackson, a senior in Biology
Kimberly Mezger, a senior in English
Sarah Nathan, a graduate student in Philanthropic Studies
Ashley Winfield, a senior in Biology

2011 Women's History Month Theme: Our History Is Our Strength

Veteran Faculty :

Eleanor DeArman Kinney, Hall Render Professor of Law, IU School of Law-Indianapolis

Newcomer Faculty :

Carmen Luca-Sugawara, Assistant Professor, IU School of Social Work

Veteran Staff:

Sue Herrell, Executive Assistant, Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculties

Terri Talbert-Hatch, Assistant Dean for Student Services, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, Indianapolis

Newcomer Staff :

Patty Mathison, Community Service Coordinator, Center for Service and Learning and Office for Student Involvement

IUPUI Inspirational Woman Awards:
Erin Cassity, Director, Curriculum Resource Center, IU School of Education - Indianapolis
Elizabeth Wager, Assistant to the Chair, Computer, Information and Leadership Technology, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, Indianapolis

2010 Women's History Month Theme: Writing Women Back Into History

Veteran Faculty:

Dr. Karen West, Professor of Pediatric Surgery, IU School of Medicine

Dr. Georgia Miller, Head of the Division of Business, IUPU- Columbus

Newcomer Faculty :

Dr. Nadia Carlesso, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Medical and Molecular Genetics, IU School of Medicine

Veteran Staff :

Stephanie Leslie, Director, Study Abroad, IUPUI Office of International Affairs

Newcomer Staff :

Misty Wick, Senior Communications Specialist, Communications and Media Team, University Information Technology Services

Part-time Faculty Award :

Dr. Julie Welch, Assistant Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, IU School of Medicine.

Inspirational Woman Award was made posthumously in honor of Professor Mary Mitchell, IU School of Law-Indianapolis and was accepted by her daughter, Sally Mitchell.

2009 Women's History Month Theme: Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet

Veteran Faculty :

Jane Williams, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Purdue School of Science, Indianapolis

Newcomer Faculty :

Marcia Stone, Lecturer, Department of Visual Communication Design, Herron School of Art and Design, IUPUI

Veteran Staff :

Benita Book, Supervisor, The Transplant Immunology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine

Newcomer Staff :

Andrea Brian, Academic Advisor, Department of Mathematical Sciences, Purdue School of Science, Indianapolis

Part-time Faculty Award :
Melinda Meadows, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry

Inspirational Woman Award:

In addition, a new award was created to honor nominees whose qualities of dedication, service, and generosity inspired us. Two “Inspirational Woman” awards were presented.

Faculty: Professor Nancy Chism, Indiana University School of Education, IUPUI

Staff:

Judy McWhirter, Bursar Customer Service Supervisor, Student Account Services Department.

2008 Women's History Month Theme: Women's Art, Women's Vision

Veteran Faculty :

Trudy Banta, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Academic Planning and Evaluation

Newcomer Faculty :

Khadija Khaja, Assistant Professor, IU School of Social Work - Indianapolis

Veteran Staff :

Unchana Thamasak, Assistant Director of Clinical Services, IUPUI Counseling and Psychological Services

Newcomer Staff :

Meagan Senesac, Data Systems Analyst, IUPUI Admissions Center

Part-time Staff Award :

Denise Scroggins, Program Manager, School of Public and Environmental Affairs – Indianapolis

2007 Women's History Month Theme: Generations of Women Moving History Forward

Veteran Faculty :

Irene Queiro-Tajalli, Professor, IU School of Social Work

Newcomer Faculty :

Deborah Stiffler, Assistant Professor, IU School of Nursing

Veteran Staff :

Claudette Lands, Assistant Dean, School of Education

Newcomer Staff :

Laura Lee Wetzel, Associate Director, Executive Education, IUPU - Columbus

Part-time Faculty :

Virginia A. Caine, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, IU School of Medicine

2006 Women's History Month Theme: Women -- Builders of Communities and Dreams

Veteran Faculty :

Khaula Murtadha, Executive Associate Dean, IU School of Education, Indianapolis

Newcomer Faculty :

Jennifer Thorington Springer, Assistant Professor, Department of English, IU School of Liberal Arts, Indianapolis

Veteran Staff :

Ellen Poffenberger, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Administration, IUPUI

Newcomer Staff :

Kimberly Stewart-Brinston, Director of Multicultural Outreach for Enrollment Services, IUPUI

Part-timer Staff Award :

Nancy Fitzgerald-Bellovary, Enrollment Specialist, Enrollment Services, IUPUI

2005 Women's History Month Theme: Women Change America

Full- time Faculty :

Professor Missy Kubitschek, Department of English and Women’s Studies

Full-time Staff :

Julie Lash, Assistant Director, Counseling and Psychological Services

Part-time Faculty or Staff :

Julie Hatcher, Center for Service and Learning

2004 Women’s History Month Theme: Women – Inspiring Hope & Possibility

Faculty:

Nancy Chism, Associate Vice Chancellor for Professional Development

Staff:

Amy Jones, Assistant to the Dean, IU School of Liberal Arts, Indianapolis

2003 Women's History Month Theme: The World of Women's History: Body, Mind and Spirit

Faculty :

Valerie Eickmeier, Dean, Herron School of Art

Kathy Johnson, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Purdue School of Science

Staff :

Joyce Cannon, Custodian, Building Services

2002 Women’s History Month Theme: Empower, Embody, Embrace

Faculty :

Dr. Lynda Means, Associate Dean, IU School of Medicine

Staff :

Tina Darling, Project Coordinator, IUSM National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health