April Puryear Receives Universities of Wisconsin Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award
April Puryear, a University Services Program Associate in the Offices of Multicultural Student Affairs and Student Engagement and Connection at UW-Parkside, has been named one of the recipients of the 2024 Universities of Wisconsin Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award. She has proudly served the university community for over 30 years and is from Racine, Wi.
The award is an annual honor given to faculty, staff, students, or community members to recognize their achievements in advancing equity and inclusion for people of color within the Universities of Wisconsin as well as communities across the state.
“April provides a warm, welcoming, and professional environment for all students, faculty, and staff that she comes in contact with,” said Dr. Tammy McGuckin, vice chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, who presented April the award Dec. 5 in Madison. “April is recognized campus-wide for her dedication and commitment to her organization, her involvement in fostering a positive campus community, and her willingness to go the extra mile for students and her colleagues. Her contributions have made a lasting impact on the UW-Parkside community.”
As a proud UW-Parkside alumna, she strives to have a positive impact on every person she sees. Puryear is very involved on campus and often collaborates with other offices. She serves on the University Staff Committee and Employee Engagement Committee on campus. Puryear also works and supports various program initiatives within the office such as the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Celebration as well as the Taking Care of Business Celebration.
She can also be found volunteering at Special Olympics and at her church. She is a previous recipient of the Wisconsin Educations Association of Student Support Trailblazer Award and the UW Parkside University Staff Distinguished Service Award.
In total, the Universities of Wisconsin have announced 13 recipients of the 2024 Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award. This year is the 29th anniversary of the award through which more than 400 women of color have been recognized for their transformational work.
Each UW university was invited to select one woman to receive the award, which highlights each recipient’s contributions to improving the status and climate for women and people of color and advancing the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“The Universities of Wisconsin have a longstanding commitment to inclusion at our universities," said Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman. “We are proud to honor these women of color whose achievements are helping our campuses and communities."
For more information about the award and past recipients, see wisconsin.edu/grants-awards/women-of-color/.
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is committed to high-quality educational programs, creative and scholarly activities, and services responsive to its diverse student population, and its local, national, and global communities. We are a dynamic learning community grounded in academic excellence and focused on student success, diversity, inclusion, and community engagement. The campus serves as a premier comprehensive public institution and a destination of choice, serving as a focal point of local, regional, and global progress.
Media contact:
Scott Rudie
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University of Wisconsin-Parkside
rudie@uwp.edu | (262) 300-9549