Maranda Ward, the director of equity and an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Research and Leadership at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, has been named the winner of the prestigious Ernest A. Lynton Award for the Scholarship of Engagement. This national honor is presented by Campus Compact, a coalition of colleges and universities committed to advancing the academic and civic missions of higher education through community partnerships.
Ward was selected for the award in recognition of her unwavering commitment to equity and excellence in teaching. She has been a leading advocate for anti-racism efforts within health sciences education, developing curricula that empower students and faculty to effectively promote health and racial equity in practice. Her research focuses on diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and anti-racism educational interventions, as well as community-based studies on HIV, Black women’s health and youth identity.