Adofoli selected as an Outstanding Woman of Color

Earlier this month, Grace Adofoli, a fourth-year psychology major from UW-River Falls, was honored as an Outstanding Woman of Color by the University of Wisconsin System Women’s Studies Consortium. The award ceremony took place on Oct. 6 during the Wisconsin Women’s Studies and LGBTQ conference held in Oshkosh. One recipient of the award is chosen from each UW System campus. Students, faculty, staff and community members can all be considered for the award.

Adofoli, a McNair Scholar, expressed an early interest in research and intensive study, and during her sophomore year she began to learn research techniques in biology under the supervision of professor Karen Klyczek. In the spring semester of 2010, Adofoli completed a small laboratory research project examining bacteria and viruses.

Adofoli spent a summer at the Africana Studies and Research Center at Cornell University, studying gender inequities in higher education in Ghana. As part of her research experience, she was a delegate at the Economic Youth Forum in Ghana. She is currently working on a survey examining UWRF student attitudes and experiences concerning race. Adofoli plans to pursue a Ph.D. in community and ecological psychology.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Adofoli is a well-known leader throughout the UWRF campus by students, faculty and staff. She served as president of the Black Student Union for two years and is an active member of numerous student organizations such as the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, the Society for Undergraduate Research Scholarly and Creative Activity (SURSCA), the Psychology Club and the Diversity Organizations Coalition. Adofoli has also served as a student representative on the Faculty Senate Diversity and Inclusivity Committee.

For more information, contact Andriel Dees, UWRF chief diversity officer, at 715-425-3833 or andriel.dees@uwrf.edu.