Melinda de Jesus

In 1-1/2 years of being an assistant professor at ASU, Dr. Melinda de Jesús already has made a difference on campus for women, raising awareness about issues regarding women of color and working to create community at ASU. She recognized that even with the several associations for women of color, few opportunities existed for the members to meet and interact beyond their particular associations. Thus, she proposed the idea for a small, on-campus conference that would celebrate the work, lives and experiences of women of color at ASU. Her proposal evolved into a highly successful conference held on Feb. 9, 2001, "Living Out Loud: Women of Color in Collaboration and Context," which will now be an annual event.

Her dedication and efforts in creating a sense of community among women on campus, particularly women of color, is a major contribution to the status of women at Arizona State University that deserves recognition.