New Publication by Dolores Calderon - Department of Education, Culture & Society

The Beacons of Excellence Program is designed to recognize people and programs that make an impact on the University of Utah students and community. Each year, the University of Utah’s Office of Undergraduate Studies and the Office of Student Affairs recognizes people, programs and projects committed to creating a transformative, undergraduate educational experience. This year, the Mestizo Arts and Activism (MAA) collective, which is part of the Westside Pathways Project was selected as one out of six of the 130 nominations for the 2016 recipients.

Dr. Leticia Alvarez Gutiérrez and the collective she advises, Mestizo Arts and Activism will be recognized as a 2016 recipient for the University of Utah Transforming U: Beacons of Excellence Award. This well-deserved recognition is bestowed on MAA due to the nominations from students, staff, faculty and community members stating that MAA has served critical educational needs for historically marginalized students through research, art and community activism to ensure their pursuit of higher education.

As a 2016 recipient for the University of Utah Beacons Of Excellence Award, Associate Professor in the Department of Education, Culture and Society, Leticia Alvarez Gutiérrez along with the MAA collective of students will be recognized at a luncheon ceremony on Thursday, October 27, 2016 from Noon – 1:30pm in the Olpin Union Ballroom.

In addition to this prestigious award, MAA was awarded the 2016 Utah Valley University's Community Engagement Award and the 2016 Utah Coalition of La Raza’s Cesar Chavez Peace & Justice Award.