Chancellor's Commission on Women Recognizes Extraordinary Women and Women's Advocates

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Clockwise from top left: Rebekah Samsonraj, Kathryn Zawisza, Shantel Romer, Adedoyin Abe, Xochitl Delgado Solorzano, Mostafa Elsaadany

Each academic year, the Chancellor's Commission on Women recognizes Extraordinary Women and Women's Advocates from the U of A community. The commission received more than 80 nominations for the 2023-24 recognitions.

An extraordinary woman leads by example, is a role model and an inspiration for others seeking gender equality and women's empowerment. They empower those around them and make a positive impact on women's experiences on our campus. This year's honorees are:

• For faculty, Rebekah Samsonraj, assistant professor, biomedical engineering
• For staff, Kathryn Zawisza, associate CIO for campus partnerships, University IT Services
• For students, Shantel Romer, M.S. student, industrial engineering

A women's advocate is an individual who leads by example, is a role model and mentor, and is an inspiration for others seeking gender equality and women's empowerment. They mentor and empower those around them and make a positive impact on women's experiences on our campus. This year's honorees are:

• For faculty, Mostafa Elsaadany, teaching assistant professor, biomedical engineering
• For staff, Xochitl Delgado Solorzano, assistant dean, Honors College
• For students, Adedoyin Abe, Ph.D. candidate, mechanical engineering

This year's honorees will be recognized at the commission's Extraordinary UA Women and Women's Advocates recognition event at 11 a.m. Monday, April 22, in the Cordia Harrington Center for Excellence, the CORD 127. We hope you can join us to celebrate these extraordinary women and women's advocates! Please RSVP to Jessica Hampton at jthampto@uark.edu.

About the Chancellor's Commission on Women: Founded in 2010, the Chancellor's Commission on Women is an advisory group charged with reviewing and monitoring policies, programs and issues to ensure that all women at the university are given the best possible opportunities for success within the institution and in their professional and college careers. Membership comprises both graduate and undergraduate students, faculty and staff who serve on staggered three-year appointments to ensure fresh and diverse points of view. The group collectively decides on issues to address each year, and relies on input from colleagues, students and occasional surveys to gain a sense of the campus' interests and needs.