Two members of the University of Vermont community and a UVM alumna have been honored with awards from Vermont Women in Higher Education.
Wanda Heading-Grant, chief diversity officer and special assistant to the president for multicultural initiatives at UVM, has received the Sister Elizabeth Candon Distinguished Service Award, which requires evidence of promoting and working toward the advancement of women in higher education and involvement at the national, regional, state and local levels in related activities. Heading-Grant “models strong principles of community connectedness and empowerment in everything that she does,” her colleagues write. “She supports, advocates and challenges the unmet needs and issues that unfold for those most affected by racism, sexism and classism.” In addition, she “demonstrates an amazing capacity for caring for the community in which she works and lives, for her leadership in multiple areas of higher education, her community activism, her mentoring of students, staff and faculty, and innovative programming that highlights the importance of equity and inclusion.”
Donna M. Rizzo has been selected for the Jackie M. Gribbons Leadership Award, presented to a woman who has demonstrated leadership ability, served as a model and mentor, developed innovative programs, and contributed significantly to the institution and profession. Rizzo is an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Computer Science in the College of Mathematical Science and Engineering at the UVM. Her colleagues write that “she is such a ground breaker for women in engineering and serves as such an important role model” and she “is an academics’ academic. She is a natural leader with the ability to achieve consensus on thorny issues while not compromising her core beliefs.”
The Peggy R. Williams Emerging Professional Award is presented to a woman who is in the early stages of her career, demonstrates excellence in her contributions to students, colleagues, and/or her institution, and shows promise and potential for future contributions. This year’s award goes to UVM alumna Christina R. Fabrey of Green Mountain College, where she is director of Academic Support Services. Fabrey’s nomination indicates that she “has contributed to the academic quality of the institution … and has had a direct and positive effect on the experience of many students, staff and faculty” due to her “excellent organizational and institutional research skills, and a superior work ethic.” Fabrey earned both bachelor's and master's degrees at UVM.
The awards will be presented at the VWHE’s annual Leadership Dinner on Oct. 26.
Vermont Women in Higher Education is an organization affiliated with the Office of Women in Higher Education at the American Council on Education. VWHE is dedicated to serving women in higher education at all professional levels. Its mission is to assist women in the pursuit of careers in higher education.