The Mary Jean Simpson Award is presented to the senior student who best exemplifies the qualities of character, leadership, and scholarship. It is named in honor of Mary Jean Simpson who exemplified these qualities throughout her professional career, including as UVM’s third Dean of Women (1938–1955) and as Bill Clerk to the United States Senate (1926–1933). This year’s recipient is Zenllaze Gomez Merlo. 

Zenllaze is a Mechanical Engineering major with a Computer Science minor. She is the first person in her family to pursue an engineering degree and to do so outside her home country of Mexico. Engineering for Zen has been both an academic and a personal anchor, channeling emotions of the past four years into her work and shaping character in and out of the classroom. Zen writes that her academic journey has reflected a story of resilience, adaptation and purpose. 

Zen has engaged in many organizations over her time at UVM including the International Student Club, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), National Society of Black Engineers, Orientation Leader and the National Society of Leadership and Success; holding various leadership positions in many of those. She has also taken part in many experiential learning experiences at UVM including research and teaching assistantships and  internships.

Zen has been recognized throughout her career at UVM including an Alan B. Urgent Award, an Emerging Leader Award, an Outstanding Achievement Award and the Provost’s Student Leadership in Equity and Campus Diversity Award. One nominator recognized Zen as an exceptional student leader whose dedication to supporting and uplifting her peers has defined her entire undergraduate experience at UVM.

Zen’s time at UVM has been centered on identifying processes where the student experience at UVM can be improved by breaking down barriers and rethinking the systems that exist to make the experience better for each student. Her embrace of inclusive excellence has strengthened one of UVM’s core pillars through advocacy, leadership and dedication to the community.

Her leadership style is through the fruit of cooperation, seeing herself building spaces where all feel heard, respected and valued. This important championing of student-centered initiatives has helped to create a campus culture for students from all backgrounds.  When asked to reflect on her time at UVM, Zen says: “I dwelled in happiness and confusion; levitated in moods, hugs and smiles, and wander without regard to fall because it was the perfect time for it.”