UMD News Releases

DULUTH, MN – Four UMD faculty are recipients of the 2014 IDEA Multicultural Research Award. The Institute for Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (IDEA) seeks to build community and a network among equity and diversity scholars and researchers across the University of Minnesota system. 2014 marked a record year in the number of applicants applying for the award with a 35% increase in overall submissions and a 50% increase in submissions from coordinate campuses.

Jennifer C Gomez Menjivar, assistant professor, Foreign Languages and Literature, College of Liberal Arts, “Cybertopias: Global Markets, Technology and Mayan Women’s Identities in Guatemala”

William N. Salmon, assistant professor, Writing Studies, College of Liberal Arts, “Creole Attitudes and ‘Generation Y’ Mayans in Belize”

Lin Xiu, assistant professor, Management Studies, Labovitz School of Business and Economics and Hairong Feng, associate professor, Communication Studies, College of Liberal Arts, “The Effects Of Gender Role Orientation And National Culture On Coping Strategies”

“Congratulations to these deserving UMD faculty. Their research embraces a global perspective, and it’s wonderful to see their work recognized and rewarded,” said Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Andrea Schokker.

Visit the IDEA website for a complete list of Multicultural Research Award recipients.

About the Award

In order to connect faculty with others who share their interests, the Institute for Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (IDEA) invites proposals for research that addresses issues related to its mission “to transform the University by enhancing the visibility and advancing the productivity of an interdisciplinary group of faculty and community scholars whose expertise in equity, diversity, and underrepresented populations will lead to innovative scholarship and teaching that addresses urgent social issues.”

This initiative supports U of M efforts to retain and advance a diverse faculty. Since 1996, more than 1.5 million dollars have been awarded to 152 recipients of the IDEA Multicultural Research Awards. Recipients are required to present their work as part of Diversity through the Disciplines Symposia sponsored throughout the academic year. Awardees are also encouraged to showcase their research at the Gallery of Excellence, a showcase of equity and diversity research preceding the annual equity and diversity breakfast.