URBANA, Ill. – Six University of Illinois Extension employees were recognized for their accomplishments resulting in organizational changes that support diversity, pluralism and innovation.
Karla Belzer, Amanda Cole, Michelle Cox, Susan Glassman, Durriyyah Kemp, and Deloris Walker received the Extension Excellence in Diversity Award for an educational series they created, Race Matters.
The Race Matters webinar series was developed in response to the injustice, frustration and sadness that team members were observing in their communities this year. Its goal was to raise awareness among Extension staff, to enable staff to take on new roles as allies and to support positive change, moving towards justice and inclusion in the work Extension performs in all communities.
About the Winners:
Karla Belzer
Belzer is an Extension educator serving Carroll, Lee and Whiteside counties. With a focus on family life, Belzer provides research-informed, outcome-oriented programming on life issues affecting families with children, adults and individuals as they age. Delivering education content and programming in many life wellness areas, she is most passionate about empowering others to be their best selves.
Belzer is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification, Real Colors facilitator, Better Brains for Babies educator, Matter of Balance leader, Chronic Disease Self-Management/Diabetes Self-Management class instructor, and a Mindful Schools educator. Belzer is also trained to implement and facilitate Community Action Poverty Simulations from the Missouri Community Action Network and All My Money financial management programs from University of Illinois Extension.
Belzer’s professional associations include the National Extension Association of Family of Consumer Sciences, Illinois Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and Epsilon Sigma Phi. Belzer’s programming accomplishments, teamwork, and leadership are recognized on a state and national level. Included among her awards and recognitions are the Past Presidents New Professional Award and Florence Hall Award from the National Association for Family and Consumer Sciences, the Early Career Award from Epsilon Sigma Phi Alpha Nu Chapter, the Interdisciplinary Unit Team Award from University of Illinois Extension, the Innovation in Programming Award, the Early Childhood Care Training Award, and the Human Development/Family Relationships Award.
Amanda Cole
Cole is a county Extension director serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery counties.
Michelle Cox
Cox is an Extension educator for 4-H Youth Development serving Lake and McHenry counties.
Susan Glassman
Glassman, an Extension educator serving Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties uses her education, experience and expertise to help people improve their health by offering evidenced-based programs that offer knowledge, develop awareness and build skills for positive behavior changes.
In the Nutrition and Wellness program, Glassman promotes food safety, food preservation, chronic disease prevention and management, and nutrition and wellness education through classes, blog posts and virtual presentations. She fosters relationships for food access and coalition-building through the development of nutrition policy and food systems. Glassman also administers programming at the Extension Education Center & Community Teaching Kitchen in LaSalle.
Glassman is a member of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Illinois Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, and Epsilon Sigma Phi.
Durriyyah Kemp
Kemp, an Extension educator serving Cook County, provides leadership in social and emotional learning, investing in school staff, parents, students, community leaders, and organizations. Kemp’s work in Extension began as a youth development educator providing educational programs throughout the northeast region of Illinois. She served as chairperson of the statewide Social and Emotional Learning and Healthy Relationships Committee. She presently works closely with members of the STEM Team to focus on the integration of social and emotional learning and overall academic success at the K-12 level. Kemp also provides training in the areas of emotional intelligence, personality assessments, staff development, teambuilding, understanding diversity and inclusion in education, and educational leadership.
She has received the Extension Outstanding Innovative Programming Team Award. Her professional affiliations include the School Policy & Standards Committee of the Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership, Heartland Alliance Teen Poverty & Youth Development Project Advisory Group, Metropolitan Board of Young Professionals, National Association for Self-Esteem, Austin Coming Together, Austin Early Childhood Collaborative, Pillars Health Services Advisory Committee, and the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention. Additionally, she serves as an educational contributor and consultant for The Bridge Teen Center.
Deloris Walker
Walker is an Extension educator serving Grundy, Kankakee and Will counties. Walker contributes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) as an educator and as a cultural competence and diversity, equity, and inclusion facilitator for Illinois Extension. In the latter role, she facilitates conversations that help participants reflect on their experiences, beliefs and norms, then recognize how those things impact the way they view and interact inter- and intra-culturally. Walker works to make an impact on racial equity and social justice through challenging policies, practices, and norms that support and perpetuate systemic and institutional racism within the university and among university stakeholders.
Walker is a Certified Health Education Specialist, as well as a member of the Illinois Public Health Association, Illinois Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, the University of Illinois Black Faculty and Professionals Alliance, and Epsilon Sigma Phi.
She has been recognized for her work, receiving the Past Presidents New Professional Award, Innovation in Programming Award, Early Childhood Care Training Award, Human Development/Family Relationships Award, and Florence Hall Award from the National Association for Family and Consumer Sciences; Interdisciplinary Unit Team Award and Excellence in Diversity Award from Illinois Extension; and the Early Career Award from Epsilon Sigma Phi Alpha Nu Chapter.
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