2024 MLK Jr. Living Legacy Convocation planning committee is delighted to announce the recipients of our distinguished recognition awards. These awards recognize exceptional contributions in the realms of Leadership, Advocacy, Social Justice, Community Service, and Education. Each recipient has demonstrated remarkable commitment and achievement in their respective fields, embodying the values of excellence and positive impact. See below the remarkable individuals whose dedication and accomplishments have left an indelible mark on our community.

Founder and CEO of Access GREENADINE LLC.

Nadine Nicola Green, LCSW, is deeply committed to her divine calling: to empower others in their Journey of self-help. A multifaceted individual, Nadine is not only a devoted mother and life partner but also th rives as a CEO, clinician, community mobilizer, wellness mentor, speaker, best-selling writer, and an advocate for all things spiritually aligned. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and her Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. As the founder and CEO of Access GREENADINE LLC, Nadine has built a platform that resonates with her mission and zeal. The company's name is a meaningful acronym that stands for her approach to offering clients access to Growth, Resilience, Empowerment, and Elevation by Nurturing Autonomy and Developing Intentional Narratives for Efficacy. In essence, Nadine's role is to equip her clients with practical skills necessary for crafting the lives they aspire to. Her extensive experience spans across working with diverse groups, including children and families, at-risk youth, the elderly, and the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

Associate Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs

If you look up Dr. Castillo-Montoya's bio, you will find that her research is focused on equitable teaching in higher education particularly as it relates to supporting the learning of racially and ethnically minoritized first-generation college students. She also works on understanding policies and practices supporting the hiring and retention of racially minoritized faculty. Dr. Castillo­ Montoya has a robust publication record in top-tier journals in her field and serves her field as an associate editor in one of her field's top academic journals. Alongside some graduate student colleagues, she has created and led the Higher Education Antiracist Teaching Podcast, also known as the HEART podcast which has reached listeners across the globe. Her professional achievements alone are worthy of recognition. However, what her bio does not necessarily indicate but aligns with the spirit of this award is that Dr. Castillo-Montoya uses her various positions in and outside of this institution to advocate for racial justice. Dr. Castillo-Montoya is a first-generation college graduate and the only one in her family to have a doctorate. She draws on her lived experiences as a Puerto Rican scholar, woman, mother, and teacher to speak up even when she is the most junior person in the room. She asks reflective questions to get the people around her to think more deeply about how to work toward racial justice. And, she approaches people with compassion. Her heart, at the end of the day, is that of an educator, knowing that every interaction and every space is an opportunity for creating a more just place. Join us in congratulating Dr. Castillo-Montoya forth is special recognition.

Founder and CEO of Lucinda's House

Currently working as a professional known for her contributions in the field of nursing and midwifery, she has used her lived experience as a Black woman, a historical perspective, her poetry, art, and her research into racial disparities to offer a reproductive justice lens to improve racial disparities in maternal health. Her research interest include addressing maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among Black women, eliminating racial disparities in reproductive health, promoting diversity in nursing, developing anti-racism initiatives and historical research in nursing and midwifery. Furthermore, she explores how the arts can illuminate and help integrate experiences of Black women during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and motherhood. Storytelling is an important aspect of her research.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Tae'Niajha is a junior dual degree in Political Science & Black Anthropology. She previously served as the African American Cultural Centers ex-officio senator and now serves as the Chief Diversity Officer for USG (Undergraduate Student Government). Her work in USG is motivated by her own advocacy and recognizing this work isn't easy. Her goal is to reach and support as many underrepresented students and organizations as possible to create a safe and inclusive community for all. Outside of USG Ta e'Niaj ha is an FYE Mentor for UConn's newest learning community, BSoul, as well as President of the Black UConn Collective & Black Female Development Circle. Tae'Niajha's hobbies include reading, watching documentaries, and drinking copious amounts of milkshakes and boba.

Shana Lusk, M.A. is a doctoral student serving as a research assistant on Project Focus and Project LIFT (Learning Informs Focused Teaching).She is a member of the Catawba Indian Nation, and is working on her dissertation proposal to preserve the stories of school integration during the 1960s by recording the educational experiences of her fellow tribal members. Shana received her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in English as a Second Language from Arizona State University. Shana has worked as a speaker educating students about Safe Dating and Healthy Relationships. She is a former classroom teacher with experience meeting the diverse needs of general education students and English learners as well as serving as a site coordinator for gifted pull-out services. Shana has worked to ensure that the strengths of English learners are recognized and accounted for. During her time as a teacher, she was selected as a Javits-Frasier Scholar (National Association for Gifted Children) to advocate for and develop the gifts and talents of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Shana's research interests include text analytics as a method, culture, indigenous populations, gifted English learners, perceptions, teacher preparation, and longitudinal outcomes.

Associate Director for Student Activities and Director for Leadership and Organizational Development

Trisha's career is marked by her dedication to equity, justice, and social change, particularly in leadership and education. Trisha has been employed at UConn for over a decade serving in pivotal roles that focus on the holistic development of students. Currently, she plays a pivotal role in leading multiple leadership programs at the University, one is particular, the Leadership Legacy Experience, a program designed to enhance the leadership skills of student leaders. Her efforts have been instrumentalin integrating a social justice perspective into her department's programs, ensuring that student leaders are equipped with the skills to be effective and purposeful leaders beyond UConn. Trisha is a two-time graduate from UConn, a bachelor's degree in English, and a master's degree in social work where she received the outstanding senior woman academic achievement award. She is now on the final stretch of her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership, here at UConn. Trisha is a former All -American Track and Field Student-Athlete for UConn, and one of the most decorated athletes in Big East and UConn history, she also went on to represent team Jamaica for several years collegiately and post-collegiately. Through her endeavors, Trisha has displayed inclusive excellence in her programs, relationships and everyday life as she believes in the power of living in your purpose. At the core, she is wife to Dwayne Noble (UConn Alum), and two beautiful baby girls, Jayne and Jianna, who she sees as her greatest gifts.