VCU news

By Cassie Williams Jones

The 2012 Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment (PACME) emphasized Virginia Commonwealth University’s commitment to diversity by honoring those who dedicate their work and efforts to ensuring representation and engagement of multicultural constituencies.

The PACMEs recognize university and health system members who have contributed significantly to multicultural relations and diversity. Each year a PACME — and $500 — is awarded to an individual or organization in each of four groups: faculty, administrators, staff and students. In addition, one recipient earns the Riese-Melton Award, a capstone award that includes an additional $250.

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., presented the awards to winners at a ceremony and reception on April 30 in the University Student Commons. Beverly Warren, Ed.D., Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs, and Beverly Walker, interim associate director of University Student Commons and Activities and PACME planning committee chair, also spoke at the ceremony, and audience members were serenaded with musical selections by the Notochords, a VCU student a cappella ensemble.

“I’m proud to say that we are the most diverse university in Virginia,” said Rao. “I love the fact that VCU is a place where we don’t just tolerate each other’s differences – we embrace them.”

He discussed the importance of diversity as a component of higher education and explained that it enriches the educational experience. He referenced research that shows diversity promotes personal growth and strengthens and builds communities.

“We are preparing students to become citizens of a complex, global world by fostering respect and collaboration,” he added. “The world is a diverse place, and universities are counted on to prepare students for that world.”

Donna Jackson, director of the Office of Student Programs in the VCU School of Medicine, was awarded the administrator award for her contributions to minority students’ success in medicine. She works to recruit students who are underrepresented in medicine, including students from rural areas and those who are considered non-traditional medical students. In fact, she has increased enrollment of underrepresented minority students in the School of Medicine up 150 percent for the Class of 2014 and 100 percent for the Class of 2015 when compared to the classes of 2011-2013.
 
Jackson also seeks out grants from a number of agencies to assist in funding medical education for these students. Once enrolled, she works with students to be sure their needs are met, and she connects regularly with them, as well as with minority faculty and staff, to discuss their academic progress and personal well-being.

“I am humbled at this moment,” Jackson said as she began her acceptance speech. “I’ve been fortunate to have persons who helped me advance through life, so I accept it as my duty to pay it forward.”

This year’s faculty award winner was Christopher Kogut, M.D., assistant professor in the VCU Department of Psychiatry. He works with some of the most complicated patients who other physicians cannot or will not treat, including those suffering with a combination of life-threatening diseases, depression and a variety of other psychiatric conditions, along with substance abuse, poverty and societal stigmatization. Prior to his current role, Kogut wore many hats at VCU, including graduate student, medical student, intern, resident, chief resident and fellow.

Cheryl Jennings, program coordinator in the VCU Division of Community Engagement, was the recipient of the staff award. Among her responsibilities, Jennings trains students in the AmeriCorps program, which includes approximately 70 individuals who tutor and mentor children in local schools. Last year, the program had the highest retention rate in its 16-year history. In addition, she has increased diversity within the program by recruiting students with myriad experiences.

The winner of this year’s student PACME award was Isaac Rodriguez, a Ph.D. candidate in biomedical engineering. He has founded and co-founded numerous student organizations at the university and now serves as the alumni adviser for many of them. He also has sat on the boards and served as a leader in several organizations. As a student, he has authored and co-authored five journal articles, two book chapters and six conference posters. He also has engaged the external community by developing college prep courses for high school students and mentoring Latino middle school youth throughout Richmond.

Rodriguez was the recipient of the Riese-Melton Award for his efforts in bettering the community and those in it through multicultural communications and outreach. He is a tremendous model for others in the VCU community to follow, Rao said.

“I would love to challenge each and every one of you to get involved with your community,” Rodriguez said to the room of faculty, staff and students. He gave credit and thanks to the students who keep the organizations running for their continued outreach efforts.

The PACMEs were created in 1994 to recognize and encourage those who promote civility, build community, establish effective cross-cultural initiatives, advocate for equity and nurture openness and inclusion within the university community.