KU gives first diversity leadership awards

The KU Interactive Theatre Troupe-photo Univ. of Kansas

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A student, faculty member and a theater group have received the University of Kansas’ award honoring contributions toward advancing equity and inclusion at the university.

Nate Thomas, vice provost for diversity and equity, announced the university’s Diversity Leadership Awards on Thursday.

The student recipient was Jyleesa Hampton. The graduate student was a member of the two-member team last year that became the first all African-American female team to represent Kansas at the National Debate Tournament.

Faculty/staff category, Shawn Alexander, associate professor of African and African-American studies and director of the Langston Hughes Center and Student category, Jyleesa Hampton, graduate student in communication studies-photo Univ. of Kansas

The Kansas City Star reports that the faculty winner was Shawn Alexander, an associate professor of African and African-American studies and director of the Langston Hughes Center at the university. The group award went to the KU Interactive Theatre Troupe, which is made up of students.