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By SU Public Relations

SALISBURY, MD---ÃÛÌÒav’s Disability Resource Center (DRC) recently honored 10 members of the campus community with its annual Access Awards.

Nominees have displayed outstanding support and advocacy for students with disabilities. Recipients were nominated by DRC-registered students. 

Honorees included:

•    Outstanding Faculty Advocate Award – Drs. Rebecca Anthony (Social Work), Echo Leaver (Psychology) and Althea Pennerman (Early and Elementary Education)

•    Outstanding Staff Advocate Award – Seth Endicott (Center for Student Achievement) and Christina Hargis (Student Health Services)

•    Outstanding Graduate Student Award: M.B.A. student Julia Tuck

•    Will Fried Outstanding Undergraduate Advocate Award: Accounting major Olivia Davis and psychology major Yanne Gbokede

•    Delta Alpha Pi Access Champion Award: Nursing major Skylar Kohler

•    Judy Huemann Advocate Achievement Award: Tiffany Arrington (Student Affairs)

Anthony, Leaver and Pennerman demonstrated a strong commitment to disability-related advocacy/awareness, research and accessibility, and significantly improved or enhanced the quality of the higher educational experience in ways that have made a substantial difference for students with disabilities at SU.

Anthony incorporates closed captioning in her class materials, is mindful of individuals’ pronouns and works attentively with students requiring additional assistance. In her Social Work 309 class, she assigns students to survey campus buildings from an accessibility perspective. She also helps facilitate Safe Spaces workshops, openly displays LGBTQ+ flags and pride symbols in her office to signal a welcoming atmosphere, and includes diverse images in her teaching materials to ensure students feel represented.

Pennerman was lauded for her personalized approach to teaching, especially through her work in Elementary Education 320, a course designed to prepare future educators to effectively teach students with disabilities and facing learning challenges. In her classes, she highlights the importance of understanding each student’s individual needs, fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued, and incorporates a variety of learning strategies to ensure all students have the tools and resources to succeed.

Leaver ensures students have accessible means to attend her classes, including arranging nearby parking for those with mobility challenges. Through her classes and on campus, she advocates for mental health and disability resources. Additionally, students say her research on psychological factors affecting college students’ performance adds another layer to her commitment to student success.

Endicott and Hargis supported DRC efforts and its students, were involved in disability-related advocacy and general awareness, and have significantly improved or enhanced the quality of the higher educational experience in ways that have made a substantial difference in the lives of students with disabilities at SU.

Endicott was honored for his efforts to enhance learning experience for all students, particularly those facing academic and accessibility challenges, through collaboration with the DRC to create targeted workshops. Hargis works to ensure all students, especially those with disabilities and chronic health conditions, have access to the health care, resources and advocacy they need to thrive.

Tuck, of Chesapeake Beach, MD, has been an exemplary advocate for disability rights at SU and beyond, and has been instrumental in improving and/or enhancing disability-related awareness, access and inclusion of students with disabilities at SU. She was lauded for her work in advocating for disability rights and accessible communications in her personal and professional life, including through her graduate assistantship with the SU Foundation, Inc., and internships with Genuine Article and The Salvation Army.

Davis, of Columbia, MD, and Gbokede, of Parkville, MD, have been at the forefront of advocating for disability rights, access and inclusion at SU and beyond, demonstrated a strong commitment to disability-related advocacy/awareness and made outstanding contributions to students with disabilities and to the DRC.

Through peer mentorship, Davis is dedicated to creating a more accessible and supportive University environment, working to reinforce a broader culture of respect, empowerment and peer support across campus. Gbokede is a veteran DRC Student Transition, Access, Retention and Success (STARS) mentor and advocate for disability rights, access and inclusion who uses empathy and perseverance to build connections and encourage others to seek the support they need to thrive.

The Delta Alpha Pi Access Champion Award honors an exceptional member of SU’s chapter of the Delta Alpha Pi honor society for high-achieving students with disabilities who embodies unwavering dedication to disability awareness advocacy, empowerment and education in the campus community. Kohler, of Elkridge, MD, is also a DRC STARS mentor, whose dedication to advocacy has fueled her mission to create a more accessible and inclusive campus.

Named in honor of the internationally renowned leader in the disability community and lifelong civil rights advocate, the Judy Huemann Award recognizes members of the SU community who embody Huemann’s spirit of resilience, advocacy and commitment to social justice, demonstrating exceptional dedication, leadership and impact in the field of disability services. Arrington exemplifies those qualities as case manager in SU’s Student Affairs Division through advocacy, leadership and a commitment to building a more accessible and just campus and community.

For more information call 410-543-6087 or visit the DRC webpage.

Learn more about SU and Opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at the SU website.