UW-Green Bay’s Sawa Senzaki and William Dirienzo Honored by the Universities of Wisconsin
The Universities of Wisconsin honored UW-Green Bay Associate Dean, Cultural Psychologist and Professor Sawa Senzaki as a recipient of a 2024 Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award, and UW-Green Bay Chair of Physics and Associate Professor William Dirienzo as a recipient of the 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People.
Congratulations to Professor Senzaki and Associate Professor Dirienzo for this award! Full details including photos of the award recipients are found in the Universities of Wisconsin news releases, below.
MADISON, Wis.—The Universities of Wisconsin have announced the 12 recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award, an annual honor given to faculty, staff, students, or community members to recognize their achievements in advancing equity and inclusion for people of color within the Universities of Wisconsin as well as communities across the state.
This year is the 29th anniversary of the award through which more than 400 women of color have been recognized for their transformational work.
“The Universities of Wisconsin have a longstanding commitment to inclusion at our universities,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “We are proud to honor these women of color whose achievements are helping our campuses and communities.”
Recipients will be formally recognized on December 4, 2024, in Madison at an awards ceremony and reception hosted by the Universities of Wisconsin. The ceremony and reception will be held in conjunction with the Universities of Wisconsin presentation of the Dr. P.B. Poorman Awards for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People.
The 2024 Outstanding Women of Color in Education honorees are:
- Jesse Yang (UW-Eau Claire) Campus Videographer, Immersion Program Co-Leader
- Dr. Sawa Senzaki (UW-Green Bay) Associate Dean, Cultural Psychologist and Professor
- Anika Campo Oplanic (UW-La Crosse) Undergraduate Student, Inclusive Organization Leader
- Dr. Carolee Dodge Francis (UW-Madison) Chair of Civil Society & Community Studies, Professor
- Yolanda Medina (UW-Milwaukee) Director of Military and Veterans Resource Center, Marine Corps Veteran
- Dr. Maria Graf (UW-Oshkosh) College of Nursing Assistant Professor
- April Puryear (UW-Parkside) University Services Program Associate, Offices of Multicultural Student Affairs and Student Engagement and Connection
- Helen Maki Ramthun (UW-Platteville) Graduate Student, U.S. Navy Veteran
- Bao Lee (UW-River Falls) Academic Coach in TRIO Student Support Services
- Dr. Sarah Manasreh-Decker (UW-Stevens Point) Assistant Professor, Principal Clarinet for La Crosse Symphony Orchestra
- Dr. Min DeGruson (UW-Stout) Associate Professor, Program Director for Packaging Program
- Jade Jensen (UW-Superior) Alumna, Public Services Coordinator for Jim Dan Hill Library
Each UW university was invited to select one woman to receive the award, which highlights each recipient’s contributions to improving the status and climate for women and people of color and to advancing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Download photos of the 2024 recipients.
For more information about the award and past recipients, see wisconsin.edu/grants-awards/women-of-color/.
The Universities of Wisconsin have also announced the 13 honorees of the 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People, an annual honor given to LGBTQ+ people or their allies who have helped to create a safer and more inclusive climate for LGBTQ+ people. The award celebrates the memory and legacy of Dr. Paula B. Poorman, a highly regarded faculty member at UW-Whitewater dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
This year marks the 16th anniversary of the founding of the Dr. P.B. Poorman Award. The recipients of the award will be honored on December 4, 2024, in Madison during a ceremony hosted by the Universities of Wisconsin. The awards ceremony and reception will be held in conjunction with the Universities of Wisconsin presentation of the Outstanding Women of Color in Education Awards.
“Honorees are helping build a better experience for our students, faculty, and staff,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “This award recognizes their achievements in creating a safer and inclusive climate at our universities.”
The honorees of the 2024 Dr. P.B. Poorman Award for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People are:
- Dr. Rae Langes (UW-Eau Claire) Assistant Professor of Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Dr. William Dirienzo (UW-Green Bay) Chair of Physics, Associate Professor
- Dr. Víctor Macías-González (UW-La Crosse) Professor of History and Advocate, Author
- Dr. Scott Seyforth (UW-Madison) Assistant Director of Residence Life for University Housing
- Nathan Sheppard (UW-Milwaukee) Clinical Case Manager for Student Health and Wellness Center
- Carmen Hetzel (UW-Oshkosh) Program Advisor for Student Organization and Leadership Programs
- Ren Griffith (UW-Parkside) Undergraduate Student, Genders and Sexualities Advocacy Center Advocate
- Isabelle Emerson (UW-Platteville) Undergraduate Student, Vice President of The Alliance
- Dr. Michelle Parkinson (UW-River Falls) Professor of English Literature and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Trescha Kay (UW-Stevens Point) Speech Language Pathologist, Clinical Assistant Professor
- Fred Jomo Brown (UW-Stout) LGBTQIA+ Program Manager
- Melinda Yingling (UW-Superior) Housing Coordinator, Free Mom Hugs Area Coordinator
- Dr. Ellie Schemenauer (UW-Whitewater) Associate Professor and Chair of Women’s and Gender Studies Department
Each UW university was invited to select one individual to receive the award, which highlights each recipient’s contributions to advocacy, activism, or scholarship that enhances the experiences of, and improves the climate for, LGBTQ+ people.
Download photos of the 2024 recipients.
For more information about the award and past recipients, see wisconsin.edu/grants-awards/poorman-award/.
