Chancellor Gary S. May this month honored several faculty, staff and students who live out the Principles of Community by naming them recipients of the Chancellor’s Achievement Awards for Inclusive Excellence.

At a reception at his residence on April 8, May said the Principles of Community reminds all members of our campus community of the importance of mutual understanding and respect for all, despite different identities, ideas, opinions, perceptions and more.

“These differences create a better university,” May said. “It helps us better educate and prepare students for success in an increasingly diverse society. It also helps us perform collaborative and inclusive research that produces better outcomes for every member of our society.”

The ideals spelled out in the Principles of Community — which marked their 35th anniversary last year — have remained vital, making UC Davis a place where everyone can succeed, May said.

“The work is even more challenging in these polarized times, but those we honor this evening have risen to the challenge,” he said.

Renetta Garrison Tull, vice chancellor for Inclusive Excellence, also praised the work of the award-winners. 

“Tonight’s awardees were nominated and selected as their service, scholarship, contributions, leadership and outstanding efforts embody the Principles of Community,” she said.

Mikael Villalobos, associate vice chancellor for Campus and Community Relations, said that work has made UC Davis “a leader in inclusion.” 

The winners, with information from their nomination materials, follow:

Undergraduate Student Award: Amrita Julka

ASUCD President Amrita “AJ” Julka, a third-year double majoring in political science and human biology, has made advocacy for basic needs a core component of her time in office. She champions expanded access to food, as well as housing through support of programs like Aggie House and health resources through advocacy of no-cost testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections for students not covered by insurance. She also established a presidential council with representatives from diverse communities. 

Graduate Student Award: Maria Calderon Leon

Maria Calderon Leon, a doctoral student in psychology, has served on committees like the Chancellor’s Graduate and Professional Student Advisory Board and the AVANZA Graduate Student Council, where she helped develop strategies to recruit and retain underrepresented scholars. She also secured a grant to host community-building events for the Department of Psychology, and has spoken on panels, led workshops on preparing for grad school and mentored undergraduates.

Staff Awards: Dreya Yin and Jordon Nakada

Dreya Yin and Jordon Nakada serve as analysts on the Strategic Talent Acquisition team in Human Resources, where they have trained more than 40 administrative leaders to integrate equitable hiring practices. They also lead outreach and recruitment events in Winters, at Travis Air Force Base and at UC Davis internship and career fairs. Yin and Nakada also co‑developed workforce programs that expand access for neurodiverse individuals and create advancement opportunities for entry‑level employees, including the Sterile Processing and Food Service Worker‑to‑Cook pathways.

Academic Senate Award: Leah Hibel

Leah Hibel is the Robert M. and Natalie Reid Dorn Endowed Chair on Infancy in the Department of Human Ecology, and reallocated faculty resources in the Human Development Undergraduate Program to create sustainable small-enrollment courses that expand access for underrepresented students. Hibel also serves on the UC Davis Academic Senate Committee on Admissions and Enrollment, as well as the systemwide Academic Senate Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, where she champions holistic review processes that diversify the student body and promote inclusive environments. She chairs the Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Jewish Student Life, and has worked with the Davis Joint Unified School District to support antisemitism and Holocaust education for teachers and principals, co-create the Jewish Employee Resource Group and more.

Academic Federation Award: Monica Torreiro-Casal

Monica Torreiro-Casal, a continuing lecturer in the Department of Chicana/o/x Studies, invites students in her courses to critically examine how sociopolitical realities shape Latinx and Chicanx communities, while also offering room for reflection, healing and connection. Her teaching philosophy centers on active participation, cooperative learning and the development of critical consciousness. She encourages students to understand systemic inequalities and to see themselves as agents of social change.

Leadership Award: Academic Affairs SEA Change Team

This year’s awards included a new distinction: The Leadership Award, supported by Jeffrey and Cynthia Traum, was awarded to the seven-person Academic Affairs SEA Change Team, led by Vice Provost Phil Kass and supported by colleagues across UC Davis and UC Davis Health. They worked to make UC Davis the first university in the nation to receive a silver award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science's STEMM Equity Achievement (SEA) Change initiative. SEA Change is a national initiative that empowers institutions to identify and dismantle barriers to equity, strengthen student and faculty retention, and build resilient, inclusive environments. Earning the Silver Award required a rigorous, monthslong process — one that demanded honesty, accountability and a deep understanding of our campus climate. Their work not only documented the teams’ strengths but also identified areas for growth and created actionable plans for improvement. The seven members of the team are: Phil Kass, Binnie Singh, Stuart Henderson, Amy Carillo, Brian Darnell, Cathy Wu and Marci Woods.