2024 Faculty Awards
Public Service Professorship
Akiko Kamimura, Associate Professor of Sociology — College of Social and Behavioral Science
Professor Kamimura has extensive experience in community based research. For her Public Service Professor project, Dr. Kamimura will be working with Understanding Us - a grassroots (501) (c) non-profit organization that provides Tai Chi and physical activity programs to persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Salt Lake City. Together Dr. Kamimura, her research team and students, and Understanding Us will evaluate the effectiveness of the Tai Chi program for PEH’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Results of the research will be used to inform revisions to the program and implementation of interventions that improve cognitive function, decrease stress, and promote confidence in people who are dealing with a number of mental health issues such as severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorders.
Distinguished Faculty Service
Teresa Molina Avella, Assistant Professor (Lecturer) — College of Social Work and Associate Director, University Neighborhood Partners
In 2013, Dr. Molina expanded the resident-led partnership and with the support of
the University of Utah, founded Latino Behavioral Health Services (LBHS) with a mission
to “enhance the mental health awareness and well-being of people with mental illness.”
From founding partner to board member, researcher and student mentor, Dr. Molina continues
her service with LBHS and has been at the forefront of an effort to shift the mental
health paradigm from one that diagnoses and treats individual with mental illness,
to one that promotes recovery and wellbeing. Dr. Molina has also been engaged with
university-community global partnerships. She is one of the founding faculty members
of Bridging Borders (BB), a global collective of educators, students and community
partners working to create vital networks that lead to innovative opportunities and
pathways in education for communities living at or working with those at the margins.
Randy L. Dryer, Presidential Honors Professor (Lecturer) — S.J. Quinney College of Law and Honors College
Randy L. Dryer's service both on and off campus is a testament to his lifelong commitment
to community engagement. His volunteer community service has focused on government
transparency and addressing the unmet legal needs of underserved persons. Professor
Dryer truly shines in his service to the campus community. Prior to receiving his
full-time faculty appointment, he served a combined total of 15 years as a member
of the University’s Board of Trustees, six as chair or vice chair. After becoming
a full-time professor in 2011, Professor Dryer served in several administrative and
leadership roles at the University, including President of the University Academic
Senate, Acting Dean of the Honors College, and President of the Board of Advisors
of the Museum of Natural History of Utah. Professor Dryer’s service has had a profound
impact both on campus and in our greater community.