2020 Faculty Awards
Christopher Mead, Assistant Professor—Honors College
Professor Christopher Mead utilized this award to introduce for-credit University
of Utah programming to the Utah State Prison. Over 2 million people are incarcerated
in the US, and despite increasing attention to mass imprisonment, racial and economic
disparities in incarceration persist. Meaningful educational opportunities for incarcerated
people are rare, but they significantly improve relations between staff members and
the incarcerated, enhance prisoners' self-esteem, and reduce in-prison crime. Professor
Mead has exhibited a long-term dedication to issues of community engagement, equity,
inclusion, and diversity.
Andrew Merryweather, Associate Professor—Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Director of the Ergonomics and Safety Program. Adjunct Associate Professor of both Family and Preventive Medicine and Physical Therapy & Athletic Training
Andrew Merryweather has established an exceptional research program in musculoskeletal injury biomechanics, and has spent his life promoting safety and health in the workplace and in improving the quality of life for those with complex disabilities. He has collaborated on over 25 project developing assistive devices to allow folks with disabilities to return to sports, gain self-confidence, and participate in activities they never thought possible.