by Established in 2013 and intended to address SoACE’s strategic priority on diversity and inclusion, SoACE annually recognizes an individual and a group/organization that has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the pursuit of diversity and inclusion in the community and workplace. The Champion of Diversity Award is presented annually to an individual member who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the pursuit of diversity and inclusion in the community or workplace. Criteria for these awards include:
- Demonstrates commitment to the spirit of diversity and inclusion through active participation in promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives within the last twelve months
- Supports positive communication and education that promotes mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation or tolerance among people of different backgrounds
- Demonstrates and exhibits a positive influence on constituencies
The Champion of Diversity Award was presented to Jessica Baker, someone who has truly impacted her institution. One nominee stated 
I have been highly impressed with this nominee’s performance as an educator, mentor, and coach to UF’s residential students, and the powerful way she uses the Community Cultural Wealth model and other inclusive lenses to support the university student experience.
Jessica is a founding member and chair of her office’s Diversity Committee, where she has led efforts to increase inclusiveness through the development and implementation of a “diversity checklist” to support workshops, programs, and activities that are free from bias and ADA compliant. She also organized and facilitated diversity trainings for staff members to promote an inclusive work environment. Jessica was subsequently asked to serve on the Division of Student Affairs’ Inclusive Excellence Leadership Council where they worked to affect change on the Division of Student Affairs as a whole, including areas such as staff recruitment and retention. She also organized a Gender Pay Equity Forum with women leaders serving as the panelists. Jessica is a champion of the Black Cultural Living Learning Community and facilitated a special pre-conference session for students of color prior to the Career Showcase, helping to demystify the event and provide an orientation.
Jessica is the Senior Assistant Director for Student Engagement at the University of Florida Career Connections Center. She is embedded in the Department of Housing and Residence Education where she works with students living on-campus to help them learn about themselves, develop professionally, build experience, and prepare for their next steps. She also works with employers to help them connect to and engage with students throughout campus. She has been at the Career Connections Center since 2017 and worked prior to that in the workforce development field with opportunity youth and older adults.
Jessica is a proud Santa Fe College Saint and a future double Gator. She has spent the last 20+ years in the greater Gainesville area working to ensure that traditionally marginalized voices are heard and have a seat at the table. When she is not serving on the board of a non-profit, or working on her graduate studies, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Congratulations to Jessica!