2022 Wheaton College Honorees
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The 2022 Rodney K. Sisco Diversity Student’s Choice Award Faculty Honoree
Theon Hill (Ph.D., Purdue University) is Associate Professor of Communication at Wheaton College where he researches and teaches on the intersections of African American rhetoric, politics, and popular culture. His work has appeared in numerous scholarly journals, edited collections, and popular outlets, including Religion News Service, Faithfully Magazine, Christianity Today, and the Chicago Tribune. Currently, he is in the final stages of completing his first scholarly book, an extended study of the future of Black political rhetoric in the 21st century. Theon regularly consults for corporate and nonprofit organizations on matters related to DEI, workplace communication, and leadership. Theon also is an active member of efforts to promote racial justice and change in his local community. For his efforts, he was recently named a Civil Society Fellow with the Aspen Institute and ADL. In this two-year fellowship, Theon will study community-based strategies for promoting civic dialogue in an age of division with the ultimate goal of developing a venture to promote justice and equity in his community.
Wheaton College students are saying;
“He works to move the needle and change people’s minds who don’t care about diversity and passionately teaches in such a way that has opened many students up to caring about justice in a way that is kingdom-oriented.
The 2022 Rodney K. Sisco Diversity Student’s Choice Award Staff Honoree
Mary Yeboah is the Director of Graduate Student Life at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, and a member of the college’s Diversity Council. Her work includes engaging graduate students in racial and ethnic identity development and intercultural understanding as well as leading faculty and staff to create more culturally responsive spaces in and out of the classroom. She is a member of the Illinois State Board of Education Diverse and Learner Ready Teachers Network and she serves on the District 200 Equity Task Force and Citizens Advisory Committee. Prior to her work in higher education, Dr. Yeboah lead local and international schools in West Africa and conducted research on post-colonial education development in rural Ghanaian communities. She began her professional career as a public school teacher where she participated in various school leadership committees including serving as a district data interpreter tasked with recommending data-driven strategies for reducing achievement gaps in K-12 education. Dr. Yeboah’s research examines the impact that racialized systems have on teachers, specifically within the context of their teacher identities, conceptions of race, and collegial relationships. She holds a BA in Art Education from Judson University, an MBA from Northern Illinois University, and a PhD in Organizational Leadership and Policy Development from the University of Minnesota.
Wheaton College students are saying;
“Dr. Mary from day one of orientation has worked tirelessly to integrate conversations on inclusion and diversity in the graduate school. She is hospitable, a great listener, encouraging, and humble.”
2022 John Brown University Honorees
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The 2022 Rodney K. Sisco Diversity Student’s Choice Award Faculty Honoree
Dr. Joe Walenciak holds a Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Arkansas and has been a member of the business faculty at John Brown University since 1982. During that time, he has taught business classes in the undergraduate, online, and graduate programs. In addition, Dr. Walenciak has developed and led mission trips and studies programs in Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Jordan, China, Brazil, and several other countries. He has received recognitions as SIFE USA Sam Walton Fellow of the Year, SIFE USA Hall of Fame, CBFA Richard C. Chewing Award, Teacher of the Year, and Outstanding Alumnus. He has also been named Ambassador of the Peace of Guatemala by the Guatemalan Government on two separate occasions.
What JBU students are saying;
“I met Dr. Walenciak in Guatemala. He flew to my home country and met my family before I came to John Brown University! As an international student, I have experienced firsthand how welcoming Dr. Walenciak is with all students who come from different backgrounds. He cares deeply about making JBU the home far from home for many international students, and I have to admit that he makes the best guacamole I have tried in my four years in the United States!”
The 2022 Rodney K. Sisco Diversity Student’s Choice Award Staff Honoree
Emily Callon is a Resident Director of Upper Division Housing at John Brown University, where she lives in the Residence Hall and serves 250 students. She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education & Strategic Leadership from Messiah University, where she coordinated international mission trips through the Agapé Center for Service-Learning. Since coming to JBU 5 years ago, Emily has leaned into the live-in role and come alongside students in a variety of ways. From hosting dessert nights to participating in pickleball tournaments to going on long walks with students and her dog, Indigo, Emily has embraced the uniqueness of the role to facilitate and develop community in a personal way and get to know students in a one/one dynamic. Emily often says that she thrives on “doing life” with students and celebrating the Imago Dei in individual students by affirming and empowering the personhood the Lord has created them to be.
What JBU students are saying;
“Emily is a great leader! She is open-minded, respectful, transparent, and genuine with all the students. She provides constructive feedback to us in love so that we all can grow. I believe she is probably one of the best RDs that JBU could have. Most importantly, she is more than an RD—she is our good friend. We are very thankful for her kindness, leadership, and all the ice cream & brownies nights she hosted!”