UC Honors the Outstanding Ambassadors of the University s Just Community

Justice, civility, learning and scholarship – they’re the ideals of the University of Cincinnati’s Just Community that became a university-wide initiative in 1996. Each spring, UC honors the students, faculty, staff, administrators and organizations that signify those ideals. The 2008 recipients of the Just Community Awards will be honored at the university-wide Recognition Ceremony and Reception at 4 p.m., Sunday, May 18, in the Great Hall of Tangeman University Center (TUC).

Selected by UC students, faculty and staff, the recipients of the Just Community Awards promote and embrace the university’s Just Community Principles to pursue learning and scholarship; celebrate the uniqueness of each individual; practice civility; embrace freedom and openness; seek integrity; promote justice; strive for excellence and accept responsibility. UC’s Just Community is a nationally recognized model program for civic education. The 2008 Just Community Award recipients are

Rebecca Lehman – Lehman is a master’s candidate in health promotion and education, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). She graduated cum laude and with departmental honors from UC in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in English literature. Through her work at UC as an assistant resident coordinator, Lehman works to promote multicultural education to students living in the residence halls. She is a co-facilitator and former participant of UC’s award-winning Racial Awareness Program (RAPP) – a year-long program for participating students – which delves into issues that examine diversity and explore building bridges between cultures. Through her service on UC’s Table Talk programming series, she works to educate others about UC’s Just Community.

Mark Gooden – Gooden is associate professor of educational studies and leadership in the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). He is also graduate program director for the educational leadership and urban educational leadership programs.Gooden was praised for promoting the Just Community Principles through his scholarship, teaching and service. He has distinguished himself through his involvement and implementation of policies, programs and practices that reflect diversity. Gooden currently serves on the recruitment and retention subcommittee of the UC|21 Diversity Task Force. That group is examining UC’s progress toward institutional diversity and creating an action agenda for institutional change. Gooden also serves at the Tyehimba ceremony each year.

Terry Bankston – Bankston is a UC alumnus and is program coordinator and adjunct instructor for the Career Development Center (CDC).  He was recognized for his role in re-establishing the Diversity Recruiting Training Institute, a one-day intensive training program for employers recruiting UC students nearing graduation. He was recognized for utilizing his professional networks to showcase the talent and diversity of UC’s students. Through his work with UC’s ADVANCE student organization to enhance the professional skills of students of color, Bankston secured sponsorships, called on personal contacts to provide for student visits to companies and moderated workshops on professional development.

Louis D. Bilionis – Bilionis, dean of the UC College of Law, is recognized for his work in helping to launch the Freedom Center Journal, a new scholarly publication and joint venture between the College of Law and the Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Edited and published annually by law students, the journal seeks to foster discussion and debate about the scope and nature of freedom. Bilionis is also recognized for his support of the Civil Protection Order Clinic, which prepares students on representing victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Bilionis also served as chair of the UC|21 Diversity Task Force Steering Committee.