Rutgers Presents 2020 Awards Celebrating Diversity and Social Justice

Awards recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion at Rutgers and in society

The Committee to Advance Our Common Purposes recently announced the recipients of awards in two categories to honor Rutgers faculty, staff and organizations for their commitment to promote social justice and diversity.

The Leaders in Faculty Diversity Awards were presented to three faculty members who have been leaders in promoting diversity, inclusion, equity and access through their research and teaching. The Clement A. Price Human Dignity Awards were presented to faculty, staff, students and community partners in recognition of extraordinary achievement in their work and commitment to promoting and practicing diversity and inclusion at Rutgers University and in partnership with the broader community.

"The CACP awards are important in recognizing year-round the contributions made by faculty and staff in advancing diversity efforts at Rutgers. At this time, as our community is disrupted by the pandemic, it is more urgent than ever to honor their scholarship and actions in bringing diverse communities together to address the crisis and its recovery," said Barbara Lee, senior vice president for academic affairs.

The Human Dignity Award was renamed in 2016 in memory of Clement A. Price, a Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor, in recognition of his humanitarian vision for unity and peace through inclusion and diversity.

The recipients are as follows:

2020 Leaders in Faculty Diversity Award

Perry N. Halkitis, dean, professor of biostatistics and urban-global public health, director, Center for Health, Identity, Behavior and Prevention Studies at the School of Public Health, Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Newark, was recognized for distinguished leadership in public health research and community building and advocacy for social justice rights for LGBTQ+ communities.

Oscar Holmes IV, associate professor of management, Rutgers School of Business-Camden, was honored for his leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion in both research scholarship and practice.

David I. Shreiber, professor and chair, School of Engineering, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, was recognized for his leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion in graduate programs, mentoring underrepresented undergraduate students and diversifying faculty.

2020 Clement A. Price Human Dignity Award

Jennifer Austin, professor, Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies, School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers University-Newark, was recognized for leadership of the Lives in Translation program and commitment to promoting the linguistic diversity of students and meeting the translation needs of diverse communities.  

Robert C. Like, professor and director, Center for Healthy Families and Cultural Diversity, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, was honored for leadership and advocacy in service, and for promoting intercultural collaborations to address disparities in health and health care for underserved communities.

Spanish for Health Care Professionals, World Languages and Culture and Nursing, Faculty of Arts and Sciences-Camden and School of Nursing-Camden, was recognized for developing programs that foster collaboration in the delivery of health care across diverse cultures and eliminating barriers to accessing health care in marginalized communities.  

Rabbi Esther Reed, senior associate director, Rutgers Hillel, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, was honored for her commitment to fostering interfaith collaborations, enriching Jewish student life and encouraging a climate of civility and respect among all communities on campus.

Mark Gregory Robson, Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor and professor of plant biology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, was recognized for achievement in teaching and mentoring underrepresented students, creating community partnerships and fostering a climate of civility on campus