CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Mercedes Ramirez-Fernandez, an assistant dean in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Illinois, has been named the recipient of the 2012 Medallion of Honor Award, given by the Moms Association at the U. of I.
Ramirez-Fernandez will be honored at the Moms Association annual board meeting on April 21 at the Illini Union, 1401 W. Green St., Urbana.
As the director of LAS New Student Advising, Ramirez-Fernandez oversees the college admissions reviews for prospective transfer students to LAS, advises students experiencing academic challenges, works with international non-degree exchange students and chairs the Interdisciplinary Plans of Study majors. She is the LAS representative to the Inclusive Illinois program, chairs the advisory board of La Casa Cultural Latina and sits on the Associate and Assistant Deans Committee.
A student nominator described Ramirez-Fernandez’s passion and support: “The authenticity of her excitement was more empowering than any official recognition I could have received. Mercedes truly celebrated the education path I had chosen – and her celebration is never a quiet one!”
Ramirez-Fernandez came to Illinois from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she served on the executive leadership team and developed and institutionalized an advising model providing services to students at times and places where they are most receptive to receive information; as a result of these efforts, she became the first academic adviser stationed full-time at a residence hall on the Madison campus.
Prior to her time in higher education, Ramirez-Fernandez was owner and president of West Coast Consultants, a California workers compensation rehabilitation services company. She assisted displaced minority workers who had been injured on the job, by providing counseling, job development skills and planning for persistent, gainful employment.
Ramirez-Fernandez holds a baccalaureate degree in psychology and Spanish literature from the University of Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Iowa. Beyond her own service to the U. of I., Ramirez-Fernandez’s ties to the campus extend through her family; she is mother to one Illinois graduate and two current Illinois students, and her husband serves on the staff of the McKinley Health Center.
The Medallion of Honor award was created in 1966 to pay tribute to those individuals who, by example and service, have used their talents to enrich the lives of others. Two men and eight women were honored between 1966 and 1976. Since 1977, this award has been given to a woman affiliated in some way with the U. of I.
The Moms Association, established at the U. of I. in 1923, is believed to be one of the nation’s oldest parent organizations. The association supports programs, services and activities that promote the health, safety and well-being of the university community and serves as a parent liaison to the campus.
