Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Moms Association names 2012 Medallion of Honor recipient

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.

[ Email | Share ]

Read Next

Life sciences Portrait of the research team posing together.

Minecraft players can now explore whole cells and their contents

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Scientists have translated nanoscale experimental and computational data into precise 3D representations of bacteria, yeast and human epithelial, breast and breast cancer cells in Minecraft, a video game that allows players to explore, build and manipulate structures in three dimensions. The innovation will allow researchers and students of all ages to navigate […]

Arts Photo of seven dancers onstage wearing blue tops and orange or yellow flowing skirts. The backdrop is a Persian design.

February Dance includes works experimenting with live music, technology and a ‘sneaker ballet’

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The dance department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will present February Dance 2025: Fast Forward this week at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. February Dance will be one of the first performances in the newly renovated Colwell Playhouse Theatre since its reopening. The performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Dance professor […]

Honors portraits of four Illinois researchers

Four Illinois researchers receive Presidential Early Career Award

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Four researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were named recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent research careers. The winners this year are health and kinesiology professor Marni Boppart, physics professor Barry Bradlyn, chemical and biomolecular engineering professor Ying […]

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010