On April 24, a consortium of student groups at the University of Pennsylvania hosted the 2017 Campus Diversity Awards to honor individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to promoting diversity and inclusion in the academic, cultural and social life at Penn.

​​​​​​​Juniors Ramón Garcia Gomez from San Jose, Calif., representing the Latinx Coalition, and Nayab Khan of New York City, representing Penn’s Spiritual and Religious Life, or PRISM, led the ceremony. The winners included a group from Penn Libraries, a staff member from the office of the vice provost for university life and a faculty member in the School of Nursing. 

The Group On Library Diversity was chosen for the “Notable Cultural Contribution” award for its ongoing investment in promoting diversity within Penn Libraries.

​​​​​​​Viraj Patel, associate director in the Division of the Vice Provost for University Life, received the “Outstanding Mentorship” award for her commitment to students, providing guidance for several student-led initiatives, including the South Asian Women’s Space and the Spice Collective. 

Kirsten Hickerson, assistant professor in Penn Nursing and vice chair of the Department of Family and Community Health, was chosen for the “Distinguished Teaching” award for her efforts to expand learning opportunities about LGBTQ health for nursing students.

A reception followed closing remarks given by Ian Jeong, a nursing senior from Palisades Park, N.J., who is the chairperson of the Lambda Alliance.

Other student groups participating in the award selection included the Asian Pacific Student Coalition, the Penn Association for Gender Equity, the United Minorities Council and Umoja.