Professor, Staff Member Earn University's 2019 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awards
December 12, 2019
Contact: Office of Government and Public Affairs
Phone: 410.837.5739
Katharine Shaffer, assistant professor in the University of Baltimore's Division of Applied Behavioral Sciences, and Karla Shepherd, director of UB's Diversity and Culture Center, are winners of the University's 2019 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awards. The awards, new this year, are based on nominations by UB's Culture and Diversity Committee, which supports the promotion of a culture, free from discrimination, that "fosters an appreciation of diverse ideas and capabilities, and enhances an understanding of the global community."
In her letter nominating Prof. Shaffer for the faculty accolade, Courtney E. Gasser, associate professor and director of the Applied Psychology-Counseling Psychology Concentration Master's Program, wrote, "Though I sincerely believe that most, if not all, faculty and staff at the University of Baltimore are committed to valuing diversity and promoting inclusion both on campus and within the community, I would argue that there are few who do so more than Dr. Katy Shaffer."
Prof. Shaffer is a counseling psychologist with doctoral training as a clinician, teacher, and scientist, Prof. Gasser noted, "in a field that has led the way within all of the subfields of psychology in regards to valuing multiculturalism, determining best practices as we deepen our own training in multiculturalism, and pioneering methodological diversity and multiculturalism in psychological research."
In his letter nominating Shepherd for the staff accolade, Joshua Clark Davis, assistant professor in the Division of Legal, Ethical and Historical Studies and director of the B.A. in History program, said she has dedicated her career at UB to enhancing the experiences of all members of the University community in an environment that promotes equity, integrity, cultural awareness and a strong sense of self and place.
"Since coming to the University of Baltimore nearly 20 years ago, Dr. Shepherd has arguably been the leading advocate for advancing diversity and inclusion on our campus. As she retires at the end of this semester, I can't think of a better opportunity than this award to recognize Dr. Shepherd for her immense contributions to making our campus a more inclusive place."
Learn more about diversity and inclusion at UB.