USU at CSUN Lights the Way during the ACUI 2021 Virtual Global Conference

Student and staff representatives of the University Student Union (USU) received major awards and shared a powerful experience with the global network of professionals and student leaders in higher education at the virtual 2021 Association of College Unions International (ACUI) Conference.

The USU’s Board of Directors (BOD) Chair Melanie Alvarez participated in a panel of student leaders who shared their stories, exchanged ideas and discussed the institutional obstacles that students face on the contemporary college campus.

“It was great to connect with other student leaders and share our experiences through a pandemic and a racial pandemic as well. It was also a reassuring experience to represent our institution and organization,” said Alvarez.

Former BOD Faculty Representative, CSUN associate professor and advisor in the Department of Africana Studies in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Marquita Gammage received the Distinguished Faculty Award. It is the first time this prestigious honor has been awarded to a member of the CSUN community. 

Her peers selected Dr. Gammage to receive the award to highlight the important work she has conducted to elevate student success.

The Revis A. Cox Memorial Award was presented to Associate Director of Programs and Inclusion Dr. Freddie Sánchez for his efforts toward increasing retention, driving policy changes, and creating a space for the healing and empowerment of marginalized and underrepresented communities on campus.

The USU and CSUN were recognized with the Joseph H. Benedict Jr. Social Change Award for Racial Justice for the Healing Spaces program. The program provided virtual healing spaces that addressed systemic issues experienced within the Black community while encouraging awareness, dialogue, healing, advocacy and social change.

Learn more about ACUI and its impact on our campus community by visiting the ACUI webpage.