June 10, 2022

SAFS DEIJ & Community Service Recognition Awards to Eleni Petrou and Nicole Doran

Every quarter, the SAFS Equity and Inclusion Committee chooses an individual or team from within the School to receive the DEIJ and Community Service Recognition Award in honor of their significant contribution towards advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in community service, academic endeavor, teaching, or research. This year, Eleni Petrou (Winter 2022) and Nicole Doran (Spring 2022) are the deserving recipients of SAFS DEIJ and Community Service Recognition Award!

Eleni was working to advance equity at SAFS before the School had an official DEI statement—in fact, Eleni helped write it. She was instrumental in the establishment of the SAFS Equity and Inclusion Committee and served as its co-chair (with Jennifer Gosselin) for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 academic years. During her time on the EI Committee, she worked on initiatives that have made lasting changes to SAFS: the Diversity Hiring Tool handout, the lactation room, several undergraduate resources, the Land Acknowledgement Guide, and the foundations of the proposed INSTARS program. In addition, she helped with the first Diversity Seminar at SAFS, obtained a license to screen Picture a Scientist and co-hosted a follow-up discussion, planned and hosted the EI Committee annual open meeting, advocated for the Equity Audit, and served as a panelist for a session of the 2021 Bevan Seminar series. In her time at SAFS, Eleni has been a vocal supporter of DEI initiatives and an advocate for accountability.

Almost immediately upon joining SAFS in the fall, Nicole volunteered to join the SAFS EI Committee and quickly became integral to its work. Nicole went above and beyond, and in collaboration with fellow grad student Jezella Peraza, organized the first ever Undergraduate Community Building Event, which connected around two dozen SAFS undergrads with grad students and postdocs who shared their experiences, advice, and mentorship. Additionally, after experiencing the lack of awareness and understanding of Indigenous peoples, cultures, and knowledges at SAFS, Nicole spearheaded the detailed and extensive Indigenous Peoples’ Terminology Guide. The guide, based largely on Nicole’s experiences and years of education and advocacy for Indigenous folks, gives members of SAFS tools for discussing Indigenous people in a respectful and intentionally inclusive way. While non-Indigenous folks may not know the weight of their words, Nicole bears that weight and responds by trying to educate and improve. Nicole lives her values, proactively engaging with members of the Snoqualmie and Muckleshoot Tribes to work collaboratively in Lake Sammamish and creating opportunities for community outreach.

We are delighted to honor Eleni and Nicole for their hard work and dedication to making SAFS a more informed, equitable, and inclusive institution.

To learn more about the SAFS Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice and Community Service Recognition Award, including how to nominate someone for the Summer 2022 quarter, visit the SAFS DEI webpage.