On Thursday, March 28th, CFS professor Sally Hunter attended the Student Disability Services Recognition Dinner and Induction Ceremony, where she was presented with the Dean James Brace “Excellence in Partnership” award.
In the presentation of the award, David Ndiaye, Director of Student Disability Services, had the following to say about Dr. Hunter:
We have been working with this faculty member for almost a decade. She has been a great partner in providing accommodations to students with disabilities and ensuring her classroom is accessible to all students. She is always very responsive with exam requests and has been flexible with challenges that arise throughout the semester.
Last fall, she worked closely with our office in the provision of transcribing services in the classroom for a student with a hearing disability. Dr. Hunter engaged the student regularly and did not allow the communication barrier to impact her usual student interactions. She also provided SDS with a list of videos she planned to utilize during semester for captioning purposes and consistently used the accessible media in the classroom.
This past fall semester, she was instrumental in assisting a student registered with SDS who was facing several challenges. She convened a meeting, led conversations via email, worked with key partners to develop a concrete plan for the student.
While considering her nomination, a recent quote by Gloria Steinem came to mind: “Far too many people are looking for the right person, instead of trying to be the right Person”. Her commitment to access and student success is evident through her actions and as such is very deserving of the Dean James Brace, Excellence in Partnership Award.
History of the Dr. James Brace Excellence in Partnership Award
The award was established in 2017 to honor the revered associate dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine to recognize faculty, staff, and other members of the university community who excel in partnership with Student Disability Services. Dean Brace embodied partnership. He worked cooperatively with Student Disability Services and professors at the College of Veterinary Medicine to ensure that students received academic accommodations and enhanced access to course material. Dr. Brace retired in 2013 from the University of Tennessee after 35 years of service.