On January 20, 2025, Indiana University faculty, staff, students and community members observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day, attending a special MLK Leadership Breakfast.
The program included student performances, IU’s Building Bridges Award presentations and a keynote address by Rev. Leah Gunning Francis, Ph.D., Indiana University Health senior vice president and chief mission and values officer.
The Building Bridges Award recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate Dr. King’s vision, spirit and leadership in ways both big and small at IU and within communities across Indiana. One student and one additional community member or organization from each campus and IU’s School of Medicine are recognized.
The recipients of the 2025 Building Bridges Award are:
Nabile Galván and Israel Herrera, IU Bloomington
Nabile, a doctoral student at the Jacobs School of Music, is a first-generation Haitian American musician. She serves as a LEAD teacher at the Fairview Elementary School Violin Project and works with students from the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Nabile demonstrates a strong commitment to DEI principles and their practical implementation, no matter if students are in rural Hoosiers or in international communities.
Israel
is a teaching professor of Spanish and Portuguese in the College of Arts & Sciences. He was selected for many bridge-building activities and is well-known in Bloomington, Indiana and the nation. He is also known for being a strong advocate for providing inclusion and equity to the Latine Hispanic youth and for recognizing the best dedicated Latine Hispanic students.
Allison Shelton-Jones and Dr. Kimberly McElroy-Jones, Ph.D., D.Min., IU Indianapolis
Allison is majoring in criminal justice and sociology. This six-time Dean’s List honoree was commended by four nominators who wrote about her unwavering passion for social justice, advocacy and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
Dr. McElroy-Jones is the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County. She is commended for her unique skills that have enhanced existing community relations and developed new opportunities that share the talents and voices of community members throughout Indianapolis.
Maddison Brittain and Dr. Stephanie Serriere, Ph.D., IU Columbus
Maddison is a junior in elementary education. She was commended for her commitment to creating a sense of belonging, especially working with students in the EMPOWER program. Madison plans to become a special education teacher when she graduates.
Dr. Serriere was selected for her work in bringing iEngage Indiana Civics Institute to Columbus and Bartholomew County. This institute is equity-oriented and provides an opportunity for 100 young people in Bartholomew County to engage as citizens, putting them at the heart of civic learning with opportunities to participate in authentic civic activities.
Rozlen Jeter, IU East
Rozlen is a senior majoring in history and minoring in Spanish. They are an active member of the MAC Club, a group of students passionate about making IU East a more inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. They are currently interning for the Black Legacy Project of Wayne County and are recognized on the national level by receiving the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
Maria Zamudio-Niño and Sharon Roberts, IU Fort Wayne
Maria, a graduate student in the Social Work Program, is a servant leader recognized for her consistent demonstration of the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. in advancing inclusivity and embracing diversity in all she does. In her quiet yet powerful voice, she demonstrates profound insight, awareness and depth of understanding for people who have been made vulnerable by political, economic and social systems and processes.
Sharon is the clerkship administrator for the IU School of Medicine at Fort Wayne. Her unwavering commitment and passion for diversity and advocacy, which has set an exemplary standard for the community, was one of the many qualities leading to her nomination. Her tireless efforts have profoundly impacted the lives of the medical students, faculty and staff, fostering a culture of inclusivity and equity.
Rosie Wood and Carver Community Center, IU Kokomo
Rosie is a first-year graduate student in the Mental Health Counseling Graduate Program. As a graduate assistant in the Multicultural Center, Rosie has worked to create inclusive programming that celebrates and supports IU Kokomo’s diverse student population. She continues to seek opportunities to work with multicultural and identity-based student organizations, fostering meaningful relationships that amplify underrepresented voices.
The Carver Community Center, under the leadership of Executive Director JC Barnett III, demonstrates exceptional leadership in promoting equity, equality, diversity, inclusion and social justice through its commitment to meeting the needs of Howard County’s diverse population. By offering programs that address education, health and well-being, the center ensures that individuals from all backgrounds can access opportunities that empower them to succeed.
Mina Mahmood and Dr. Vanessa Allen-McCloud, Ph.D., IU Northwest
Mina is a junior majoring in neuroscience. Mina’s unwavering commitment to promoting diversity by working with the student government and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs has led her to opportunities to educate herself and others on the importance of diversity. Furthermore, she has attended conferences around the country and is always ready to use what she’s learned to improve the experiences of other students on campus.
Dr. Allen-McCloud, president and CEO of the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, has been a long-time advocate for economic opportunity within the region. She has promoted awareness of diversity and inclusion by hosting an annual diversity symposium to bring the community together to discuss these important topics. Also, Dr. Allen-McCloud has collaborated with educational and community partners to host a scholarship fair where local youth can access financial resources to help fund their educations.
David Saleh and Cush Cuthbertson, IU South Bend
David is a senior majoring in communications studies. He has been instrumental in leading by example, being a part of multiple student organizations, and serving as the vice president of the Student Government Association. He works to make sure all voices are heard by facilitating dialogues and collaboration among people of difference and is an active participant in events hosted by a wide range of groups on campus.
Cush is a student retention specialist at the Titan Success Center. Whether it’s working through a personal situation, academic success strategy or financial concern, her passion for student success and helping to meet their needs is always on display. She also serves as an advisor to the Black Student Union, and her door is always open to create a calming presence around her as she tries to understand each person as they are themselves.
Alpha Epsilon Multicultural Sorority and Dr. Sumreen Asim, Ph.D., IU Southeast
The Alpha Epsilon Multicultural Sorority is a student organization dedicated to providing experiences based on diversity and multiculturalism in the IU Southeast fraternity and sorority community.
Dr. Sumreen Asim, Ph.D., was selected for modeling peaceful advocacy for the marginalized, underrepresented and disfranchised. Dr. Asim teaches STEM courses to undergraduate and graduate students at IU Southeast and enjoys helping others implement inquiry-based instructional approaches. Her research interests include collaborative efforts with STEM education, culturally responsive teachings and education technology.
IUSM DEI Coalition and Dr. Lauren Nephew, M.D., IU School of Medicine
The DEI Coalition is a student-led organization established in 2020 to increase access to medical education, enhance the academic process and provide workshops to help make the learning environment welcoming to all students. The coalition provides learning opportunities, connects students with other organizations and mentors and advises students on school-wide initiatives. Their efforts extend beyond campus, rallying support from local organizations and addressing intersecting dimensions of diversity to promote health equity.
Dr. Nephew, assistant professor of medicine and assistant vice chair of health equity, is committed to eliminating health disparities. She champions research on social and cultural determinants of health and empowers patients to improve their outcomes. Collaborating with leadership, she advances strategies to address inequities affecting vulnerable populations.