Archive: WWU Diversity Achievement Award Winners

Tom Nerini, director of Student Outreach Services, came to Western in 2000 and was an assistant director in the Admissions office prior to becoming the director of Student Outreach Services. He said working with Admissions to increase and reach record numbers of students of color applying to and enrolling at Western is one of his proudest accomplishments. In Student Outreach Services, Nerini works with students facing academic and personal challenges, particularly nontraditional, underrepresented and multicultural students, to provide support and resources to develop skills for success. One of the most difficult, but rewarding, experiences of his career at Western has been working with undocumented students. Originally from Arizona, Tom recently earned his Educational Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, B.C.

Robert Hyung-chan Kim, WWU professor emeritus, was involved in diversity initiatives at WWU for many years and has worked to bring Korean students to WWU to expand the global diversity of the student body.  He recently studied the many Korean people living and working in the Pacific Northwest. His resulting article, “Koreans in the Seattle-Tacoma Area,” focuses on the approximately 53,000 Koreans along the Interstate-5 corridor between Vancouver, Wash., and Blaine. Dr. Kim has taught at Western since 1971 in the Department of Educational Foundations of Woodring College of Education and the American Cultural Studies department. Although he retired in 2001, he still teaches several classes at Western each year and conducts research with the Seoul National University and Koryo University in Jochiwon, Korea.

Gigi Berardi, and Lynn Robbins, both Professors in Huxley College of the Environment, had been working together for seven years to promote and enhance diversity in research, teaching and service to the community with energy and devotion. The contributions they have made with the Native American populations in partnership with Northwest Indian College and Huxley College of the Environment have gained international recognition. As Western professors and faculty members of the Tribal Environmental and Natural Resources Management program at Northwest Indian College, Berardi and Robbins are helping future tribal leaders study a combination of Western and Native science, and preparing many Native American students to pursue their bachelor’s degrees at Western. By encouraging students to share their own traditions and practices in class, Berardi and Robbins emphasize understanding and respect for Native American approaches to learning science and studying the environment.

In February 2003, Berardi and several faculty members from Northwest Indian College were invited to present a symposium on Western and Native science at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In addition to her work with the TENRM program, she continues her research in Alaska Native villages on natural resources management. Robbins has taught environmental studies at Huxley since he received his doctorate in anthropology from the University of Oregon in 1971. In addition to teaching political science and Native treaty law as a core faculty member of the TENRM program, he has been involved in more than 20 projects that assessed the social and economic effects of energy development and federal and state procedures on tribal communities. Berardi and Robbins put the $1,500 award toward scholarships for students at Northwest Indian College who are transferring to Western to complete four-year degrees.  

Ted Pratt was recognized for his many contributions to his profession and the University, as well as for his efforts to support Western’s mission to provide students with experiences that reflect the realities of diversity.  As a two degree alum and Director of Student Life and Dean of Students, he is widely admired.  Throughout his time at Western, Pratt has been an invaluable contributor to the shaping of the university's increasingly multicultural community.  During nine years as an admission counselor, he was a key leader in increasing enrollment of students of color from 4 to 13 percent.  He has developed programs that support all students, including the needs of disabled students, students of color, first-generation college students and international students.  His impact on diversity has increased, as each fall sees a new record for multicultural enrollment, now 17 percent for entering freshmen.

Ted Pratt currently serves as the Dean of Students.

Hoelscher is active in curriculum and policy development in local schools. She has volunteered with her family in the summer Circulos de Manos program, which provides evening activities to children of migrant farm families in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.  Hoelscher earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Mankato State University and her doctorate in teaching, curriculum and learning environments from Harvard University.