Wright State women leaders honored for promoting gender equity

Debra Radford, director of auxiliary services

Three Wright State University women in leadership roles were honored for their hard work to promote gender equality throughout the university community.

These women from across campus have worked with their students and colleagues to advocate for equity on campus in a variety of ways.

The Gender Equity Awards, presented by the Wright State’s Women’s Center, recognize one staff member, one faculty member and one administrator.

Debra Radford, director of auxiliary services, received the staff award; Kathy Engisch, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, received the administrator award; and Lynn Hartzler, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences and interim associate dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, received the faculty award.

Radford was nominated for her dedication to advocating with compassion, said Nicole Carter, Ph.D., director of the Women’s Center. Radford serves as a mentor on the Women’s Center Women of Color Student Mentorship and Leadership Cohort, serves on the ACE Women’s Network executive board and helped plan the Women’s Luncheon last fall.

Kathy Engisch, interim dean of the College of Science and Mathematics

“Radford has always assisted people with grace and care,” Carter said. “She has led with a sense of vulnerability that is needed today.”

Engisch advocates for women in STEMM. She supports students through financial assistance and mentorship and pushes female students to thrive, Carter said. Engisch also serves as a drop-in mentor to students and helps with the Women Students in STEMM Program.

“She continues to show up in every way possible for women on Wright State’s campus,” Carter said.

Hartzler was nominated by four separate people for her work on campus in mentorship, academic inspiration and more in the STEMM fields.

She is a continuous advocate for female students and junior faculty and helps them connect to resources and opportunities for assistance, Carter said.

Lynn Hartzler, associate professor of biological sciences and interim associate dean of the College of Science and Mathematics

This is the first year that Wright State has presented the Gender Equity Awards. Carter plans to provide the awards every year in March.

Radford, Engisch and Hartzler were honored on March 23 with an award dinner, along with mentors in the Women Student’s Equity, Mentorship and Leadership Consortium.

These mentors support students in the Women Student of Color Mentorship and Leadership Cohort, the Women Students in STEMM Cohort and the Path to Grad Program.

Mentors honored at the event included Mia Honaker, administrative assistant in the Division of Inclusive Excellence; Michelle Dixon, retention specialist; Tylar O’Neal-White, student advocate and case manager; Susan George, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Professional Psychology; Jennifer Lobo, Tutoring Services Program coordinator; Debra Radford, director of auxiliary services; Clintoria Williams, Ph.D., assistant professor of neuroscience, cell biology and physiology; Adrienne Traxler, Ph.D. assistant professor of physics; Megan Rua, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences; Ebony Martin, manager of the Wright State Bookstore; and Emily Yantis-Houser, director of the LGBTQA Center.