Sister Sally Furay Awards Celebrate Excellence and Community

The fifth annual Sister Sally Furay Awards again honored exemplary faculty and staff from across the university for their demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and promoting a diverse and supportive campus community. 

Initiated in response to a letter from Black faculty and staff in 2020, the awards program recognizes USD employees for going above and beyond in embodying the university's mission and values. Honorees represent the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, Knauss School of Business, School of Law, Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, Division of Professional and Continuing Education and Copley Library.

In each honoree’s brief remarks, a common thread emerged - USD’s treasured mission and values serve as motivation and inspiration for the work they do. Several cited the university’s openness and close-knit community in creating spaces for inclusive practices to thrive. 

In his comments opening the program, President James T. Harris III talked about how the honorees provided light and hope in times that may seem dark and challenging. Reflecting on his own faith journey, Harris talked about individuals like Pope John Paul II who inspired him to speak out and advocate for human dignity.

“Pope John Paul reminded us that silence is complicity,” Harris said. “Our Catholic values call us to uplift human dignity by grounding our work in solidarity and fraternity.” 

Initiated in 2025, the Gail F. Baker Outstanding Unit Award honors a unit or department’s collective efforts to bring transformational and substantial change to the University of San Diego community through programming that is collaborative, sustainable and connected to USD’s values. The 2026 recipient is the Institute of College Initiatives (ICI), which “serves as a bridge between aspiration and achievement, fostering an environment where motivated students can flourish.” ICI has served over 700 students since its founding in 1999, most identifying as first-generation, low income or individuals living with a disability. Associate Dean Ramiro Frausto received the award on behalf of ICI.

The awards program and luncheon is presented annually by the Center for Cultural Development led by Vice Provost Regina Dixon-Reeves, PhD, in association with the Office of the President and Office of the Vice President and Provost.

2026 Sister Sally Furay Exemplary Faculty and Staff Award Recipients:

• College of Arts and Sciences - Antonieta Mercado, PhD

• School of Leadership and Education Sciences - Niki Elliott, PhD & Carla Penha-Vasconcelos, PhD

• Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science - Martha Grant Fuller, PhD, APRN & Stacey Greer

• Knauss School of Business - Tara Ceranic Salinas, PhD & Gelsey Baez

• School of Law - Liz Parker, JD, MLIS

• Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies - Tony Campos

• Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering - Diana Chen, PhD & Hattie Morgan

• Professional and Continuing Education - Benn Joyce

• Copley Library - Dennis-Michael Broussard

Gail F. Baker Outstanding Unit Award for Inclusive Excellence and Programming

• Institute of College Initiatives