Edmund Fong Named Living Color Award Recipient

Utah Business and Living Color Utah recently honored Dr. Edmund Fong, associate professor of political science and ethnic studies, at their sixth annual Living Color gala. These awards honor individuals who are doing the work to create a more equitable and inclusive future for Utah, an enterprise Dr. Fong was actively engaged in during his six-year term as chair of the ethnic studies division in the School for Cultural and Social Transformation.

In her nomination, Dr. Kimberly Jew, Dr. Fong’s successor as chair of the ethnic studies division, noted Dr. Fong’s organizational level impact while chair.  Dr. Fong was been a crucial voice in the development and maintenance of a number of high impact grants, including the competitive Mellon grants and an instrumental part of the division’s recent faculty growth. “His work as a leader has raised the level of conversation at the University of Utah and has helped our campus expand into formalized areas such as the Pacific Island Studies program and has expanded our innovative forms of Native American, Pacific Islander, and Black Studies research, teaching, and community engagement.” She continued, “He has helped build intersectional bridges among our diverse communities.”

Dr. Fong is grateful he was able to help shape this positive growth within the School. “I am honored to have helped build a more diversified faculty while working with community partners to make the university a more supportive place for students, one better able to serve the needs of all Utahns.”

Learn more about the Living Color Award