Triple Threat: LS Student, Administrator, and Faculty Receive Nia Awards

Liberal Studies congratulates Grace Allende (GLS ’19); Yenifer Dalloo, Assistant Director of Advising, Service and Leadership; and Professor Suzanne Menghraj for receiving 2018–2019 Nia Awards! 

The Nia (a Swahili word meaning purpose) Awards are a long-standing tradition organized by the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs (CMEP), a department in the Division of Students Affairs. The Nia Awards are an opportunity to recognize the achievements of NYU community members for enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice in their work for the NYU community and beyond. This celebration, which took place the evening of May 2nd in Kimmel, honors awards winners and serves as CMEP’s end of the year celebration.

Grace received the Philip Vera Cruz/Pete Velasco Mentorship Award, which recognizes a student who demonstrated a dedication to supporting the academic, emotional, and/or professional growth of others by serving as a mentor and resource.

Yenifer received the Medgar Evers Administrator Award, recognizing an administrator who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice through their professional work. This includes but is not limited to the advocacy for, mentorship of and/or empowerment of marginalized or underrepresented students, faculty and/or staff, the facilitation of dialogue, and the coordination of exemplary programming and events.

Professor Menghraj received the Angela Davis/W.E.B. DuBois Faculty Award, which recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice through their academic work, research, teaching and scholarship. This includes but is not limited to utilizing diverse media and scholarship in their teaching, the facilitation of dialogue and educational programming, and the advocacy for, mentorship of, and/or empowerment of, marginalized or underrepresented students and/or faculty.