The Student Union was filled with students, faculty and staff members, waiting to see which awards they won for their leadership roles within the Mills community. Awarded every year, the Student Leadership & Mills of Color Awards (MoCA) accepts nominations from peers and recognizes those who work within the community.
Held by the Division of Student Life on Apr. 23, the Student Leadership & Mills of Color Awards were chosen by a selection committee that included students, staff, faculty members, and honored juniors and seniors for their work in the community.
Sabrina Kwist, director of the Diversity and Social Justice Resource Center, said that she was excited that the committee had the opportunity to acknowledge students for their specific works.
“I feel really proud of the many ways leadership manifests itself at Mills, from being the presidents of your club or organization, to the classroom, to changing policies, to holding court in the Tea Shop and being an informal mentor,” Kwist said.
Lea Williams, who was awarded as the Mills of Color outstanding senior leader, said that it was amazing to be honored.
“I’m a disabled student, and I’ve been working on a project called ‘We All Learn Extraordinarily Different.’ It’s called ‘WALED’ because that’s how I felt in school,” Williams said. “It’s nice to know all of my activism for students with disabilities is being recognized because we all deserve to get an education and I think it’s awesome.”
Recognized with the Helen Carroll Award, which recognizes faculty, staff or students who work for LGBTQ rights and the Palladium, Junior Erin Armstrong was overcome with emotion.
“I’ve only been on campus for a year and to be recognized is overwhelming,” Armstrong said. “I feel like I’m actively making a difference and that’s a wonderful feeling.”
For more coverage of the awards, click here.
