In recognition of their commitment to equity, human rights, mentorship, and advocacy, four University of Michigan faculty members will receive the distinguished CEW+ Inspire Awards next month. These awards celebrate the dedication and impact of individuals who follow in the footsteps of remarkable leaders like Carol Hollenshead, Sarah Goddard Power, and Rhetaugh Dumas.
The recipients will be honored on February 11 at the Center for the Education of Women +, acknowledging their significant contributions and dedication to fostering positive social change.
Carol Hollenshead Award
This year’s Carol Hollenshead Award will be awarded to Michelle Bellino, associate professor of education at the Marsal Family School of Education. Her innovative approach to creating transformative learning environments and unyielding dedication to advancing educational rights for marginalized groups have significantly impacted higher education.
Bellino’s work includes impactful research conducted in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, where she engages with communities often excluded from formal education systems. Marcela Ortiz G., a Ph.D. candidate in educational studies at the Marsal School, noted Bellino’s dedication in a nominating letter, stating, “A cornerstone of [Bellino]’s scholarly work is her research in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, where she has directly engaged communities traditionally excluded from formal educational spaces.”
Bellino also influences policy at various levels and has initiated programs, such as the Global Education Discussion Group and a peer mentorship program for migrant youth at Melvindale High School in Michigan.
Sarah Goddard Power and Rhetaugh G. Dumas Awards
Since 2018, CEW+ has administered the Sarah Goddard Power and Rhetaugh G. Dumas Awards to honor the legacies of their namesakes. This year, the Goddard Power Award will be presented to two distinguished faculty members:
- Vanessa Dalton, Timothy R B Johnson M.D. Collegiate Professor of Global Women’s Health, who also serves as associate chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Medical School.
- Shanna Kattari, an associate professor of social work, and women’s and gender studies at the School of Social Work and LSA, respectively, and director of the [Sexuality|Relationships|Gender] Research Collective.
Dalton is recognized for her commitment to breaking barriers and creating equitable opportunities for women and other marginalized groups. Her leadership in the Program on Women+’s Healthcare Effectiveness Research exemplifies her interdisciplinary approach to addressing healthcare gaps.
In nominating Dalton, Dee Fenner, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, wrote about her “joyful mentorship” and her exceptional record as a mentor to underrepresented groups in medicine and science.
Kattari is honored for their pioneering work in removing barriers and fostering inclusive spaces for marginalized students and staff. Embracing Universal Design in education, their courses empower students through autonomy and accessibility, as highlighted by Haylie Miller, assistant professor of kinesiology, who noted, “Shanna has embraced Universal Design as a guiding philosophy and a classroom reality.”
Kattari’s influence extends beyond academia, impacting global accessibility consultations and advocacy efforts.
The Rhetaugh G. Dumas Award will be presented to Ellen Rowe from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Rowe is recognized for her efforts to promote gender diversity within jazz education and for breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
As the first woman chair of a major university jazz department, Rowe has made significant strides in recruiting female students and advocating for gender diversity in jazz programs nationwide. Melody Racine, associate professor emerita, praised Rowe’s leadership, writing, “Under her leadership, the U-M jazz program recruited more female students than any other jazz program of a comparable size in the country.”
