MADISON, Wis.—The Universities of Wisconsin have announced the 12 recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award, an annual honor given to faculty, staff, students, or community members to recognize their achievements in advancing equity and inclusion for people of color within the Universities of Wisconsin as well as communities across the state.
This year is the 29th anniversary of the award through which more than 400 women of color have been recognized for their transformational work.
“The Universities of Wisconsin have a longstanding commitment to inclusion at our universities,” said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “We are proud to honor these women of color whose achievements are helping our campuses and communities.”
Recipients will be formally recognized on December 4, 2024, in Madison at an awards ceremony and reception hosted by the Universities of Wisconsin. The ceremony and reception will be held in conjunction with the Universities of Wisconsin presentation of the Dr. P.B. Poorman Awards for Outstanding Achievement on Behalf of LGBTQ+ People.
The 2024 Outstanding Women of Color in Education honorees are:
- Jesse Yang (UW-Eau Claire) Campus Videographer, Immersion Program Co-Leader
- Dr. Sawa Senzaki (UW-Green Bay) Associate Dean, Cultural Psychologist and Professor
- Anika Campo Oplanic (UW-La Crosse) Undergraduate Student, Inclusive Organization Leader
- Dr. Carolee Dodge Francis (UW-Madison) Chair of Civil Society & Community Studies, Professor
- Yolanda Medina (UW-Milwaukee) Director of Military and Veterans Resource Center, Marine Corps Veteran
- Dr. Maria Graf (UW-Oshkosh) College of Nursing Assistant Professor
- April Puryear (UW-Parkside) University Services Program Associate, Offices of Multicultural Student Affairs and Student Engagement and Connection
- Helen Maki Ramthun (UW-Platteville) Graduate Student, U.S. Navy Veteran
- Bao Lee (UW-River Falls) Academic Coach in TRIO Student Support Services
- Dr. Sarah Manasreh-Decker (UW-Stevens Point) Assistant Professor, Principal Clarinet for La Crosse Symphony Orchestra
- Dr. Min DeGruson (UW-Stout) Associate Professor, Program Director for Packaging Program
- Jade Jensen (UW-Superior) Alumna, Public Services Coordinator for Jim Dan Hill Library
Each UW university was invited to select one woman to receive the award, which highlights each recipient’s contributions to improving the status and climate for women and people of color and to advancing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
For more information about the award and past recipients, see wisconsin.edu/grants-awards/women-of-color/.
2024 Recipients
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- Jesse Yang
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- Sawa Senzaki
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- Anika Campo Oplanic
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- Carolee Dodge Francis
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- Yolanda Medina
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- Maria Graf
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- April Puryear
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- Photo of Helen Maki Ramthun
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- Bao Lee
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- Sarah Manasreh-Decker
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- Min DeGruson
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- Jade Jensen
The Universities of Wisconsin serve approximately 164,400 students. Awarding nearly 37,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.