Trio honored for diversity efforts

Three University of North Georgia (UNG) employees have earned 2020-21 Diversity Champion Awards for their efforts to foster a welcoming, respectful and inclusive environment.

Lindsay Bailey, director of student affairs and enrollment management strategic technology initiatives, is the staff recipient. Dr. Winnie Namatovu, associate professor of education, and Dr. Efren Velazquez, assistant professor of psychological science, are the faculty honorees.

"The recipients of the 2021 Diversity Champion awards have expressed a hope that UNG can become a more multicultural environment," Dr. Pablo Mendoza, director of Diversity and Inclusion at UNG, said. "Each has worked hard to transform their segment of the UNG community, supporting the students and helping implement that mission."

Bailey handled a variety of responsibilities including student engagement, UNG Connect and student organization management as director of student involvement on UNG's Oconee Campus in 2020-21. In each area of her work, she ensures events, programs and trainings keep diversity and inclusion at the forefront.

"She is not afraid to push boundaries, ask hard questions, challenge the status quo, and bring forth ideas to either address issues or advocate for specific populations when necessary," Mallory Rodriguez, director of student leadership, wrote in her nomination of Bailey.

Rodriguez said a student told her that Bailey "has made it clear that she has privilege, and she plans to use her privilege to support minority groups in any way that she possibly can."

Namatovu is entering her fourth year chairing the College of Education's committee that is developing its diversity and recruitment plan for faculty, staff, and students.

"Dr. Namatovu wants to ensure that the goals we set as a committee are being accomplished. In a way, she is helping to guide the entirety of our diversity, equity and inclusion commitments for the college through her role," College of Education Dean Sheri Hardee wrote in her nomination of Namatovu.

As a member of UNG's Diversity Council, Namatovu also took specific actions to boost diversity. For example, she proposed that all College of Education faculty become Safe Zone trained and worked with Bailey to ensure that all faculty had the opportunity. Safe Zone training is meant to create awareness and develop allies to LGBTQ+ communities.

Velazquez devotes time outside the classroom to helping his students reach their goals. He participated in the Anti-Defamation League's Virtual Glass Leadership Institute in fall 2020, building upon his leadership skills and learning more about the Jewish community.

He helped graduating students in the Latino Student Association and Latino-American Student Organization plan a time to honor graduates completely in Spanish in anticipation of their spring commencement ceremonies. This event allowed their family members to hear about student accomplishments in their native language.

"Dr. Velazquez serves as a mentor to multiple Latinx students, including one student who will attend graduate school in the fall with full funding," Kyle Murphy, interim assistant director of Multicultural Student Affairs, wrote in his nomination of Velazquez.

The Diversity Champion Awards were among the faculty and staff awards as well as faculty promotions announced Aug. 16 during UNG LEADS Day. View a full list of the awards and promotions.