The UA Commission on the Status of Women held its 16th annual Vision Awards ceremony this month, recognizing UA employees Chris Tisch (Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health) and Hannah Lozon (Residence Life), for their efforts to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive campus.
The CSW Vision Awards were established in 1999 to celebrate emerging and established leaders on campus who pursue the vision of diversity and equity that was set out by the original Arizona Board of Regents Commission on the Status of Women in 1990. Of special consideration are goals related to campus climate, professional development, and compensation and equity.
Tisch was named the 2014 established visionary. A UA employee for more than 28 years, she joined the fledgling public health program in 1994. When the Zuckerman College of Public Health was established as a college in 2000, she helped build services for applicants, students and alumni. Now, as assistant dean for student and alumni affairs, she directs the Office of Student Services and Alumni Affairs, the staff of which supports the entire student life cycle.
Tisch served as founding chair of the student services council of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. In 2009, she received the Georgia Reynolds Dedicated Service Award, honoring her commitment to the Arizona Health Sciences Center. She has advised the annual UA Zuckerman College of Public Health Social Justice Symposium for the past seven years. Twice in that time, the college's students have won UA Inclusive Excellence Awards, which recognize diversity, equality of opportunity and encouragement of diverse perspectives.
"By the example she sets and the work she accomplishes, Ms. Tisch is an invaluable asset and inspiration to our students, alumni, faculty and especially the OSSAA team," wrote her colleagues and staff in support of her nomination.
Tisch said of her Vision Award, "It speaks to the importance of creating and maintaining a welcoming environment, valuing diversity, civility and respect, of encouraging personal and professional development, and never settling for mediocrity but striving for excellence and equity.
"I've had the privilege of a long tenure at the University of Arizona that has afforded me the opportunity to work every day with many individuals who represent a wide variety of backgrounds, experience and ideas. My life has been so enriched by this diversity. To be selected for the CSW Vision Award acknowledging my recognition of the importance of diversity and equity is a tremendous honor – like icing on the cake."
