MU Awards Faculty for Contributions to Diversity

March 1st, 2012

The views and opinions expressed in this “for expert comment” release are based on research and/or opinions of the researcher(s) and/or faculty member(s) and do not reflect the University’s official stance.

By Brad Fischer

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The University of Missouri Office of Student Affairs has awarded three faculty members the inaugural 2012 MU Faculty Achievement Award in Diversity. This is an endowed award to be given annually to faculty members whose work elevates diversity and inclusion on the MU campus. This year’s recipients are:

• Miriam Golomb is an associate professor of biological sciences in the College of Arts & Science. She currently teaches two courses, an upper division genetics lab and a writing intensive course on genetics and society. In addition, she mentors undergraduate research students in programs including Exposure to Research for Science Students, Life Sciences Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, and Mathematics in the Life Sciences, and is active in outreach programs with Missouri high school science teachers and schools. In 2011, she received the Alumnae Anniversary Award for contribution to the education of women.
• Treva Lindsey is an assistant professor of women’s and gender studies in the College of Arts & Science. She also is a faculty affiliate of the black studies program and has a graduate teaching appointment in the department of history. Since arriving at MU in 2010, she has taught several courses including “Gender and Hip Hop,” “Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies,” and “Black Feminist Thought”. Her involvement in the MU community includes serving on the MU Women’s History Month Committee, guest lecturing at various student-organized events, and mentoring students invested in research involving issues of gender, race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, and ability.
• Cheryl Shigaki is an associate professor of health psychology in the School of Health Professions. Shigaki has long-standing personal and professional interest in diversity issues in general and disability advocacy. Shigaki serves on the Chancellor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities and is in her second year as the committee’s chair. Shigaki also currently serves on the University of Missouri Health System Diversity Advisory Council and is the current president of the American Psychological Association (APA), Division of Rehabilitation Psychology’s Section on Women’s Issues. Shigaki has served as member and chair of the APA Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology, and the Missouri Health Sciences Psychology Consortium Diversity Committee.