Announcing the Inaugural GEPA Award Recipients

The GEPA Awards celebrate individuals who are making waves in equity and diversity for graduate education and postdoctoral training at UC San Diego. Led by the Office of Outreach, Access, Recruitment, and Retention (OAR2) and the Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs (OPSA) in the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA), these awards recognize individuals that champion equitable access to graduate education and postdoctoral training, create initiatives that support graduate student and postdoctoral success, advance diversity and inclusion through research, and/or actively work to dismantle systemic inequities in graduate education and postdoctoral training through advocacy and inclusive practices.

We are grateful to the Awards Selection Committees for their efforts and are pleased to announce the inaugural 2024-2025 recipients who were celebrated at an awards ceremony on January 14, 2025.

Awardees for Advancing Equity in Graduate Education

Graduate/Professional Student: Shai Lynne Nielson - Ph.D. Candidate in Linguistics and Cognitive Science
Faculty: Christina Schneider - Professor of Political Science and Jean Monnet Chair at UC San Diego
Staff: Sarah Ceja - Graduate Tutor Coordinator at the Writing Hub in The Teaching and Learning Commons

Awardees for Advancing Equity in Postdoctoral Training

Postdoctoral Scholar: Dr. Silvia Vicenzi - Postdoctoral Scholar in the School of Medicine and Chair of the Postdoctoral Association
Faculty: Mirle Rabinowitz-Bussell - Associate Teaching Professor, Urban Studies and Planning and Faculty Director, Homelessness Hub and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Urban Studies and Planning
Staff: Nallely Garcia - Senior Scholar Advisor, International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO)

Please join us in congratulating our inaugural GEPA Award recipients!

Elizabeth H. Simmons
Executive Vice Chancellor

Judy E. Kim
Interim Dean, Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs

University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093