End of Semester Honors

Let’s All Celebrate!!!

For our last membership highlight of the academic year we want to celebrate some of our members’ recent recognitions and awards and express gratitude to those who have given their time, effort, and energy to making our Sacramento Chapter and/or the CFA Union stronger.

The Lila Jacobs Social Justice and Organizing Award goes to…

The first highlight goes to Dr. Ernest Uwazie (Emeritus Faculty, Division of Criminal Justice), who is this year’s recipient of the Lila Jacobs Social Justice and Organizing Award. Dr. Uwazie was recognized for his longstanding contributions to our CFA chapter, our campus, and the larger community. Dr. Uwazie began his CFA journey early in his career. Becoming the chair of Faculty Rights in 2006, he was able to defend entitlement rights for lecturers and the CBA broadly, even winning tenure and promotions for faculty members who had been denied the honor. CFA Senior Representation Specialist Jason Conwell, a chapter colleague during his leadership of the committee noted, “Toward the end of Ernest’s tenure as faculty rights chair, he was invited to join the CFA Representation Committee which consists of five faculty members statewide. That committee has the final say about which grievances are approved for arbitration and the committee does the primary work in developing the representation policy of the union.  It may sound boring, but it’s important work…Even more impressive than his work with CFA, has been Ernest’s work as the Director for the Center for African Peace & Conflict Resolution which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.  The resources, workshops, and trainings that Dr. Uwazie provides in that role are truly impressive along with his emphasis in restorative justice.”

CFA Member-Leaders Honored for Their Excellence!

Next, we also want to celebrate a few of our Executive Board Representatives who, in addition to the work they do for the Sacramento chapter, have been recognized for their outstanding and influential contributions to the campus community and beyond:

• Nancy Huante-Tzintzun, ARSJ representative
  • Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching (Department of Ethnic Studies; College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies)
  • Co-organizer and presenter at the ‘Braids not Raids’ fundraising event (proceeds were donated to the Dreamer Resource Center on campus and to NorCal Resist)

• Lina Rincón, ARSJ Representative & Membership & Organizing tri-Chair
  • Outstanding Faculty Award for University Service (Department of Sociology; College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies)

• Andrea Terry, Political action & Legislation Committee Chair
  • Outstanding Faculty Award for University Service (Department of Communication Studies; College of Arts and Letters)
  • Women of Influence Award (Faculty)
  • Elected as Faculty Senate Chair for 2026/27

• Danielle Duckett, Lecturer Rep & assembly delegate
  • Elected as CSU Academic Senate Lecturer Elector

Shout out to College Advocates!

Last but not least, we want to express great appreciation to the following members, whose work as College Advocates is indispensable for the strength of our chapter:

• Zach Schudson (Psychology)
• Nadine Braunstein (Nutrition, Food & Dietetics)
• Briana Zaragoza (University Library)
• Jessica Martinez (Undergraduate Studies in Education)
• Brett Judson (School of Music)
• Derek Lam (Philosophy)
• Juan José Bueno Holle (Teaching Credentials)
• Britanny Kammerer (Biological Sciences)
• Joanna Núñez (Women & Gender Studies)

Want to get involved in College Advocates and advance the work of the union next year? Submit your interest here.

We know that this is not an exhaustive list. We want to highlight and celebrate your successes, recognitions and work highlights too!!! Please share your highlights with us via email or if you have shared them on social media, tag us in your post or send them to us.

Also, if you have someone or some group of people in mind that deserves some expression of gratitude for all their hard work, reach out and let us know.