Community Impact Symposium & Awards 2026

The theme for the 2^nd Annual Community Impact Symposium was "Building Together: Connecting Through Care and Community.” This dynamic event brought together U of A faculty and staff to foster a welcoming and supportive campus community grounded in care, collaboration, and shared purpose. 

Event Facilitator

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Diane Sotelo

Diane Sotelo finds endless inspiration in the human brain and the quiet, powerful way perseverance develops neuropathways. For more than two decades, she has immersed herself in the study of leadership, mindset development, and the science of how people choose to step into the joy of leadership.

Diane will kick off the symposium with an engaging, interactive session titled, Building Empowered Brains: The Science of Care and Connection. Diane will weave in and out of the program throughout the day, keeping the experience connected, energizing, and grounded in meaningful reflection.

Community Conversations

Attendees participated in meaningful table discussions that covered a variety of topics. Participants had the chance to submit topics that informed these conversations during the open networking portion of the symposium.

Community Aid Activities

Activity #1: Upon entry, attendees were encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to benefit the Campus Panty. 

Activity #2: An interactive activity sponsored by the U of A College of Medicine and led by Beads of Courage, Inc., a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and teens coping with serious illness, their families, and the clinicians who care for them through our Arts-in-Medicine Programs.  

Speaker Panel

Members of the Campus Community Connections Student Advisory Group shared their experiences with recent changes to the Student Culture and Engagement Hub and answer questions about how faculty and staff can continue supporting both the student spaces and the students who rely on them.

Faculty Award: Stephanie Springer

Stephanie Springer is the director of Internships and Career Readiness and a principal lecturer in the Department of Public and Applied Humanities. She has mentored more than 1,900 students, guiding them through the process of finding, securing and completing internships throughout diverse industries both locally and internationally. As part of the College of Humanities, she designed the Applied Humanities career readiness and internship program. Her expertise lies in helping students to recognize their strengths and build the confidence needed to launch and navigate their careers.

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Staff Award: Deshawna Yazzie

Deshawna is a public health evaluator in the School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness. She supports Tribal, rural and community-based initiatives through culturally responsive evaluation, systems-level learning, and strategic collaboration across areas such as food systems, physical activity, nutrition and community wellness. Deshawna's work centers Indigenous and community voices, honors data sovereignty and emphasizes collaboration, reflection and practical use.

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Graduate Student Award: Ernesto Cabrera Jr.

Ernesto is a doctoral student in the higher education program. He has played a key role in developing numerous educational initiatives such as the Borderlands Fellowship Program, Borderlands Education Center student programming and, most recently, designing an immersive Barrio Viejo/Sosa-Carrillo House tour that connects learners to local history and community knowledge. His work is rooted in community and seeks to connect students, faculty, staff and local partners through meaningful engagement and inclusive programming.

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Undergraduate Student Award: Jada Burton and Alyssa G. Norris

Jada is a senior with a major in psychology and a minor in public health. As co-director of Feminists Organized to Create, Resist and Empower (FORCE), they've dedicated their time on campus to making sure that women and femmes on campus are heard in their struggles to obtain accessible safe sex and menstrual products. Jada has also taken time to mentor students across student spaces about how to organize on campus and take care of each other in an inclusive and healthy manner.

Alyssa is a senior pursuing bachelor's degrees in public health and sociology. As the president of the Planned Parenthood Generation Action (PPGen) student organization, Alyssa has facilitated critical conversations about reproductive justice, collaboratively promoted sexual and reproductive health resources on campus, and passionately empowered upcoming leaders. They aim to effect radical, lasting change in their community at the intersection of social justice and health.

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