Nominations Sought for University of Arkansas Women Advocates and Extraordinary Women

In an effort to spotlight University of Arkansas extraordinary women and women's advocates, the Chancellor's Commission on Women encourages all individuals on the U of A campus to consider recognizing such women and persons.

A University of Arkansas extraordinary woman is a woman who leads by example, is a role model, and is an inspiration for others. She empowers those around her and makes a positive impact on women's experiences on our campus in one of the following two categories: leadership or service/volunteerism. A women's advocate is an individual who has actively advanced, advocated or supported women's rights, equality and empowerment in a way that has had a positive impact on the lives of women on the University of Arkansas campus.

There is no deadline for nominations but the commission will meet to review the nominations received this fall on Dec. 12.

Any member of the University of Arkansas community or a UA-based organization may nominate a person to be recognized as an extraordinary woman. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Please follow this link for nomination forms and information on eligibility and the recognition process.

In spring 2019, the commission recognized the following individuals as the Women's Advocates: Bonnie Miller, academic program coordinator in the School of Law, Samantha Robinson, teaching assistant professor of mathematical sciences, and Todd Shields, dean of the J. William College of Arts and Sciences. The following persons received the extraordinary woman recognitions:

• Faculty
  • Sarah DuRant, assistant professor of biological sciences, for leadership
  • Gema Zamarro Rodriguez, associate professor and 21st Century Endowed Chair in Teacher Quality, for service
• Students
  • Mykala Wallace, social work major, for leadership
  • McKenzie Meehan, supply chain management major, for service
• Staff
  • Danielle Williams, the assistant vice chancellor and director of the Office of Equal Opportunity for leadership
  • Erica Gamboa, director of the Veterans Resource and Information Center, for service.