Introduction
The Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Latinos (CCSL) Recognition Awards for Faculty, Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student, and Staff (Academic Professional and Civil Service)
The Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Latinos (CCSL) established the CCSL Recognition Awards to acknowledge service to the Latine community. In order to be eligible, nominees must identify as Latine and as members of the UIC community, be actively involved with Latine issues and/or service at UIC, and be role models or mentors to members of the Latine community. Up to five awards will be awarded annually to a faculty member, an academic professional, a civil service employee, a graduate student, and an undergraduate student.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Service to the Latine community
- Must identify as Latine and be a member of UIC community
- People actively involved with Latine issues and/or service at UIC are eligible for the award.
- People who are role models and/or mentors for the Latine community
Application Deadline: Monday, March 30, 2026
Application:
Past Recipients:
2025
Academic Professional Awardee: Elsa Soto, College of Engineering
Civil Service Awardee: Lauren De Jesus, Latino Cultural Center
Faculty Awardee: Dr. Zitlali Morales, College of Education
Graduate Student Awardee: Liliana Macias, History
Undergraduate Student Awardee: Brenda Leyva, College of Engineering
2023 - 2024
Academic Professional Awardee: Melissa P. Hernandez, College of Engineering
Civil Service Awardee: Vanesa Velázquez, Student Affairs, Center for Student Involvement
Faculty Awardee: David Marquez, College of Applied Health Sciences
Graduate Student Awardee: Jodi Aguilar, College of Education
Undergraduate Student Awardee: Dayane Padilla, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
2022
Academic Professional Awardee: Anya H. Cruz, Student Academic Affairs, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Civil Service Awardee: Jocelyn Munguía Chávez, Rafael Cintron Ortiz Latino Cultural Center
Faculty Awardee: Liza María Suárez, PhD, Department of Psychiatry
Graduate Student Awardee: Michelle Annette Jaldin, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Undergraduate Student Awardee: Omar Limias Villa, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
2021
Academic Professional: Maria Caceres, Institute for Health Research, and Policy
Civil Service: Lily Diego-Johnson, Disability Cultural Center
Faculty: Dr. Aixa Alfonso, Department of Biological Sciences
Graduate Student: Nilmarie Ayala-Fontanez, College of Pharmacy
Undergraduate Student: Victoria Soliz, College of Medicine
2020
Academic Professional: Dr. Mitzi Ramos, Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services Program
Civil Service: Marta Ayala, Department of Latin American and Latino Studies
Faculty: Dr. Evelyn Figueroa, College of Medicine
Graduate Student: Rosa De La Torre, College of Medicine
Undergraduate Student: Erick Vaquero, College of Engineering
2019
Academic Professional: Erika Chavez, College of Applied Health Sciences
Civil Service: Osvaldo Villalpando, University Library
Faculty: Dr. Yamile Molina, School of Public Health
Graduate Student: Joanna Maravilla, College of Education
Undergraduate Student: Brenda Lopez, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
2018
Academic Professional: Theresa Christenson, Graduate College
Civil Service: Rita Corona, Building Services
Faculty: Dr. Nilda Flores-González, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Graduate Student: Judith Rocha, Jane Addams School of Social Work
Undergraduate Student: Mariel Rancel, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences