Awards/Recipients

2021 Inclusive Excellence Award Recipients

Imani Thompson
Dr. Kate Temoney
Dr. Sudha Wadhwani
Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center

This queer leadership award was established in 2013 and is presented to an outstanding LGBTQ-identified student, faculty or staff member at Montclair State University who, through their dedication, has left their mark on our campus and paved the way for others to follow.

2020: Casey Coleman
2019: Justin Lemley
2018: Evan Weisberg
2017: Sara Gonzalez
2016: Kelsea Rowan
2015: David Lennox
2014: Rachel Dobkins
2013: Francesca Scirocco

This Multicultural Center leadership award was established in 2019 and is presented to an outstanding student, faculty, or staff member of color at Montclair State University who, through their dedication and work with marginalized or underrepresented groups, has left their mark on our campus and paved the way for others to follow.

2020: Jennifer Robinson
2019: Carmen Reyes-Cuevas

This Women’s Center leadership award was established in 2019 and is presented to an outstanding student, faculty, or staff member who is woman identified at Montclair State University who, through their dedication and work with and for women identified, has left their mark on our campus and paved the way for others to follow.

2020: Jessica Miller
2019: Dr. Sudha Wadhwani

This leadership award was established in 2019 and is presented to an outstanding student, faculty, or staff member who is a spiritual leader at Montclair State University who, through their dedication and commitment to students in the area of faith and spirituality, has left their mark on our campus and paved the way for others to follow.

2020: Hopi Graham
2019: Dr. Dorothy Rogers

The UNITY award was established in 2019 and is presented to an outstanding matriculated undergraduate or graduate student of color who has made significant contributions to the Multicultural community and MSU community within the past academic year. The UNITY award will acknowledge any person, regardless the gender or sexual identity who possess Unity, Pride, and an agent of change.

2020: Camille Blue
2019: Brittany Aponte

The Empow-Her Award is presented to an outstanding matriculated undergraduate or graduate woman identified student for their perseverance and social advocacy for women within and beyond our campus community within the past academic year. This award will acknowledge a woman identified student for being an agent of change and for leaving her mark on our campus while paving the way for others to follow.

2020: Mary Pierre-Louis
2019: Jennifer Guzman

The Leaders in Service Award was established in 2019 and is dedicated to the student, staff or faculty that goes above and beyond, positively building the community around them. This person is highly active within a spiritual or faith-based organization (e.g. university club, place of worship, etc.). Leaders in Service are humanitarians actively engaged in bringing awareness to human issues. Not only do they advocate for those less fortunate, but also, provide solutions to injustices through donating time and resources.

2020: Evan S. Griffin
2019: Father Jim Chern

This retired award was established in 2010 and is presented to an outstanding matriculated undergraduate or graduate student, administrator, professional staff or faculty member who has made significant contributions to the LGBTQ and Montclair State University community within the past academic year.

2020: Jennifer Fasse
2019: Emily Miske
2018: Lauree Klein & Michelle Guzik (Student Ally) & Suzanne Pasquino., Program Associate for the Office for Social Justice and Diversity (Faulty/Staff Ally)
2017: Jaimee Laurie (Student Ally) & Carissa Ruf, Program Assistant from Health Promotion (Faculty/Staff Ally)
2016: Damon Dixon (Student Ally) & Emily Cordero, Coordinator of Greek Life (Faculty/Staff Ally)
2015: Jasmine Hoffman (Student Ally) & Julie Fleming, Assistant Director of Student Involvement (Faculty/Staff Ally)
2014: Johanna Durazzi (Student Ally) & Dr. Esmilda Abreu, Director of Equity and Diversity (Faculty/Staff Ally)
2013: Joshua Rubin (Student Ally) & Dr. Danne Davis, Associate Professor, Early Childhood, Elementary, and Literacy Education (Faculty/Staff Ally)
2012: Michelle Postorino (Student Ally) & Fatima deCarvalho, Assistant Dean of Students/Director of CSI (Faculty/Staff Ally)
2011: Kenneth Svolto (Student Ally) & Suzanne Pasquino, Program Assistant in Enrollment Management (Faculty/Staff Ally)
2010: Dr. Bryan Terry, Associate VP for Enrollment Management and Prof. Lisa Sargese, Adjunct in Religion (Faculty/Staff Ally)

This award was established in 2014 and is presented to an exemplary student leader in the Office for Social Justice and Diversity for their tireless endeavors that create a campus environment inclusive and supportive of marginalized communitites through programming, education, advocacy and support. The recipient of this award embodies the mission and vision of the LGBTQ Center at Montclair State University. All OSJD Ambassadors are eligible and the recipient is chosen by the OSJD staff.

2020: David Pontrella and Marie-Esther Buh
2019: Emily Miske
2018: The 2017 – 2018 Peer Educators of the LGBTQ Center
2017: Jessica Mahmoud
2016: Ashley Bain and Mia Henderson
2015: CJ Malva
2014: Carlos Flores

This award was established in 2014 and is presented to a member of our community for their perseverance and social justice advocacy within and beyond our campus community. Recipients of this award have a long history of activism and advocacy and are agents of change. Organizations, individuals and families are eligible for this award and the recipients are chosen by the Pride Awards Committee.

2020: Emily Miske
2019: Babee Garcia
2018: Karmyn Ramirez
2017: Austin Greitz
2016: Susan Graziano
2015: Ebony Jackson
2014: The Kilian-Meneghin Family: Cindy, Maureen, Joshua, and Sarah

This retired award was established in 2014 and is presented to an outstanding student organization that has not only increased the visibility of LGBTQ people and issues but also advocated for change. Only student organizations, groups or clubs are eligible for this award and chosen by Peer Educators of the LGBTQ Center.

2018: Justice for Education
2017: Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.
2016: Theta Delta Sigma Society, Inc.
2015: Alpha Chi Rho
2014: Players

This retired award was established in 2014 and is presented to an outstanding campus partner that has not only increased the visibility of LGBTQ people and issues but also advocated for change. Centers, academic departments, colleges, divisions, and other administrative/faculty-led groups are eligible for this award and chosen by Peer Educators of the LGBTQ Center.

2018: The Center for Student Involvement
2017: The University Health Center
2016: The Office of Health Promotion
2015: The Office of Residence Life
2014: The Department of Campus Recreation

A NOTE ON THE TERM “ALLY”

The LGBTQ Center recognizes that individuals who identify within the LGBTQ community can also be allies to the community. Eligibility for our Ally of the Year Awards is based on the candidate’s dedication and contribution to the LGBTQ and Montclair State University community not their sexual, affectional or gender identity.

Allies are individuals who, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity:

Believe that it is in their self-interest to be an ally to LGBTQ individuals
Are committed to developing an understanding of LGBTQ issues and work to be comfortable with their knowledge of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression
Work to understand how patterns of oppression operate, are willing to identify oppressive acts, and challenge the oppressive behaviors of others to all oppressed groups
Find ways to confront and combat homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, cissexism and heterosexism
Choose to align with LGBTQ individuals and represent their needs — especially when they are unable to do so themselves
Promote a sense of community with LGBTQ individuals and teach others about the importance of these communities
Encourage others to advocate for the LGBTQ community

If you have any questions, please email lgbtq@montclair.edu.