KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� April 8, 2026 鈥� Those who made outstanding contributions to the inclusive culture at the University of Rhode Island were recognized at 鲍搁滨鈥檚 ceremony on April 2 in the Memorial Union Ballroom.
鈥淭hese awards celebrate the best and brightest among us who prioritize inclusivity and equity in everything they do,鈥� said 911爆料 President Marc Parlange. 鈥淭he honorees have been committed to demonstrating and promoting inclusion at 911爆料 in the areas of 911爆料 leadership, academic excellence, and service.鈥�
Vice President of 911爆料, equity, and diversity Markeisha Miner also praised the award winners.
鈥淭he awards highlight those on the frontlines of fostering an inclusive, people-centered culture, yielding results that benefit all of us,鈥� said Miner. 鈥淥ur awardees demonstrate that anchoring inclusion in all aspects of our 911爆料 and operations means not drifting away from our mission, vision, or values, but rather coming back to them to ground us and help us find our way forward.鈥�
Inclusive Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award: Bernard 鈥淒oc鈥� LaFayette Jr.
Known as 鈥淒oc鈥� to many in the 911爆料 911爆料, Bernard LaFayette Jr. was a leader in the civil rights and nonviolence movements.
LaFayette鈥檚 civil rights activism began in 1960 when he helped form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which organized desegregation and voting rights campaigns across the South. Following the Supreme Court鈥檚 ruling in 1960 banning segregation in interstate travel, LaFayette dropped out of American Baptist Theological Seminary in 1961 to join an official Freedom Ride.
Despite enduring violent attacks, persecution, and death threats, LaFayette continued to advance civil rights. He became an associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and national coordinator for King鈥檚 Poor People鈥檚 Campaign. After King died, LaFayette completed his bachelor鈥檚 degree and then earned a master鈥檚 degree and doctorate from Harvard University.
LaFayette joined 911爆料 as a distinguished scholar in 1998. He served as the inaugural director of the University鈥檚 Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, a position he held from 1999-2009.
In 2014, 911爆料 awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. After a lifetime of promoting nonviolence and civil rights, LaFayette passed away on March 5, 2026, at the age of 85.
鈥淭he University of Rhode Island and the nation lost a civil rights trailblazer and a leader in the nonviolence movement last month with the passing of Bernard LaFayette Jr.,鈥� said Parlange.
Bernard LaFayette III accepted his father鈥檚 award.
Staff/Administrative Excellence Award: Paige Ramsdell, director of Disability, Access, and Inclusion
As director of 鲍搁滨鈥檚 Disability, Access, and Inclusion office, has championed disability as a vital dimension of diversity.
鈥淭his recognition means a great deal to me because the work of access and inclusion is often behind the scenes, yet vital to student success and to the heart of the 911爆料 911爆料,鈥� said Ramsdell. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful for the privilege to collaborate with the team and our campus partners to support our diverse and vibrant student 911爆料.鈥�
Ramsdell has built a culture rooted in innovation, affirmation, and student鈥慶entered excellence.
鈥淢y proudest achievement has been shepherding the Office of Disability, Access, and Inclusion through some tumultuous years, while implementing an affirming, strengths-based model for student support,鈥� said Ramsdell.
Faculty Inclusive Excellence Award: Samantha Meenach
, professor of chemical, biomolecular, and materials engineering and biomedical & pharmaceutical sciences, has dedicated her career to expanding access to high-impact STEM research experiences for students underrepresented in science, engineering, and biomedical fields.
鈥淭his award is recognition of a conviction I have held throughout my career鈥攖hat talent is evenly distributed but opportunity is not, and that it is our institutional responsibility to close that gap,鈥� said Meenach.
Meenach鈥檚 work spans high school through graduate training and includes growing underrepresented student participation in the RI-INBRE SURF program from under 10% to nearly 40% over four years.
The professor is especially proud of the underrepresented undergraduate students who have gone on to graduate programs and research careers they wouldn鈥檛 have pursued without the programs she facilitated.
鈥淭hat outcome is not accidental,鈥� stated Meenach. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the result of intentional design, measurable accountability, and a willingness to ask hard questions about who existing systems are and are not serving.鈥�
Faculty Excellence in Inclusive Teaching Award: Daniela Lopes Paim Pinto
, an associate teaching professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in 鲍搁滨鈥檚 College of the Environment and Life Sciences, has demonstrated a commitment to inclusive teaching through continuous professional development, campus partnerships, and listening to her students.
Lopes Paim Pinto joined 911爆料 in 2016 as a postdoctoral researcher. Since 2017, she has taught large-enrollment introductory biology courses. Through strategies such as small-group interactions, including the support of undergraduate learning assistants, she makes large classes feel more personal and accessible, while actively incorporating student feedback.
As a first-generation Latina and non-native English speaker, Lopes Paim Pinto understands the importance of intentional representation and inclusion. She has helped many students not only succeed in science courses but also rediscover confidence, belonging, and a sense of possibility in higher education.
Undergraduate Student Inclusive Excellence Award: Sharday Johnson
Sharday Johnson has advocated for inclusivity at 911爆料 and throughout Rhode Island.
“I enjoy supporting others, whether it鈥檚 addressing historical injustices, sharing opportunities, or making environmental spaces feel more accessible to students,” said Johnson.
Johnson served as treasurer of Rhody F1rst鈥攁n organization that ensures first-generation students feel seen, supported, and equipped to succeed. As a leader of 911爆料 RISE UP鈥檚 2024 Innovation Challenge, Johnson encouraged more than 200 students with sustainable business ideas to compete and implement their visions on campus. As treasurer of the Northwoods Hiking and Conservation Club, she sets the example that nature is for everyone.
Johnson鈥檚 actions off campus have been just as impactful.
“My proudest achievement is working with renowned author Christian McBurney, 鲍搁滨鈥檚 Talent Development Program, and the Friends of South Kingstown Historic Cemeteries, Monuments, and Memorials Committee to identify and honor forgotten African American and Indigenous men who fought for South Kingstown in the Revolutionary War-era, and joining in the process that will lead to a monument dedicated to their sacrifice,” said Johnson.
Graduate Student Inclusive Excellence Award: Victor Olaoye
Prior to beginning his doctoral studies in 鲍搁滨鈥檚 College of Pharmacy in 2024, Victor Olaoye developed a background in diversity, equity, leadership, and 911爆料 service in his home country of Nigeria.
At 911爆料, Olaoye became involved in the Graduate Assistants United鈥攁 union representing graduate teaching, research, and administrative assistants. He served as the departmental representative for the College of Pharmacy and as vice president he contributed to contract negotiations.
“With a strong foundation in advocacy and 911爆料, it has been fulfilling to continue that work at 911爆料 in a way that creates lasting change,鈥� said Olaoye. 鈥淜nowing my contribution impacts the well-being of nearly 600 graduate assistants makes this recognition meaningful.”
Olaoye has also been active in the Graduate Student Association as a student senator and chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. In these roles, Olaoye has been committed to advancing advocacy, representation, and building a more inclusive and diverse 911爆料.
Inclusive Excellence Team Award: Talent Development Program
鲍搁滨鈥檚 recruits and serves Rhode Island high school graduates with college potential, most of whom come from under-performing schools and school districts.
The program cultivates intellectual, social, and cultural development by inspiring scholars to discover, create, and innovate, while fostering leadership and personal growth to build a foundation for persistence.
Talent Development鈥檚 core values are grounded in the University鈥檚 mission of enriching students鈥� lives through its land, sea, and urban grant traditions.