Pauline Chhooi (left) receives an award from President Lee Todd
Lise DeShea (left) receives an award from President Todd

Two College of Education students and a faculty member were nominated for the 2006 President’s Awards for Diversity. They received recognition for their work during the annual award presentation on April 17 in the atrium of the new UK Biological Sciences Research Building.

The students nominated for diversity awards are both enrolled in the graduate program. There were eight students in total receiving nominations. Maria Almario is a master’s candidate in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology. Pauline Chhooi is a doctoral student in the Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation.

Lise DeShea, assistant professor in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, was among the five faculty members nominated for the diversity award.

In addition to applauding the work of the nominees and presenting the awards, the highlight of the awards program was a rousing keynote speech from Dr. Samuel Betances. Betances incorporated an important message about the value of diversity into his personal life experiences.

Betances went from nearly dropping out of school to a Doctorate from Harvard University. He talked about the challenge of casting away barriers in the world of higher education and in the world of business. Betances is an honored Professor Emeritus, a consultant to US Presidents, corporate managers and trustees, community groups, clergy members, and educators.

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