2026 Community Impact Award Recipients

Campus Community Connections is pleased to announce the winners of the 2nd Annual Community Impact Awards. The awards honor five individuals who foster community and expand opportunities for people of all backgrounds and experiences. 

The awards will be presented onstage at the 2nd Annual Community Impact Symposium on Thursday, March 26, in the Student Union Memorial Center Ballroom.

The winners are:

Community Impact 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.

Community Impact 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.

Community Impact 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.

Community Impact 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.