Four University of Michigan professors have been named recipients of the University Diversity and Social Transformation Professorship, as the university more broadly heads toward the next phase of diversity, equity and inclusion strategic planning.
Lilia M. Cortina 
Trachette L. Jackson 
Hitomi Tonomura 
Herbert G. Winful
Established in 2019, the designation recognizes senior faculty who have shown a commitment to the university’s ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion through their scholarship, teaching, or service and engagement.
The professorship is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, and jointly administered by the National Center for Institutional Diversity and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Lilia M. Cortina, Trachette L. Jackson, Hitomi Tonomura and Herbert G. Winful were each nominated by a U-M dean, selected by a university committee and recommended by the provost for this distinction. The Board of Regents approved the appointments July 15.
“This year’s cohort of scholars, as in years past, has demonstrated leadership, character and passion,” said Susan M. Collins, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “These appointments are given in recognition of the insights and passions that have grown from the professors’ years of research and teaching.”
Each recipient will have their appointment for five years and receive an annual stipend to support their scholarly and professional work. They also will receive special faculty fellow status at the NCID and will spend at least one semester as a faculty fellow-in-residence.
The UDSTP is designed to create a community of faculty members who have a set of overlapping scholarly, pedagogical and engagement interests aimed at developing exciting new collaborations and ideas.
“The University Diversity and Social Transformation Professors are an interdisciplinary group of nationally-recognized experts,” said NCID Director Tabbye Chavous, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, and professor of psychology in LSA; and professor of education in the School of Education.
“While they represent diverse fields, they are united in that they are transforming their fields, communities and the campus through their invaluable scholarly and service contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion.”
About the recipients
Lilia M. Cortina is a professor of psychology and of women’s and gender studies in LSA, and a professor of management and organizations in the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. She is a leading scholar of psychology of the workplace, with a special emphasis on the psychological consequences of negative experiences in the workplace, including sexual harassment, racial harassment and incivility.
Trachette L. Jackson is a professor of mathematics in LSA. She has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to increasing opportunities for girls, women and underrepresented minority students in science, technology, engineering and math fields through her teaching and leadership.
Hitomi Tonomura is a professor of history and of women’s and gender studies in LSA. As a historian of pre-modern Japan and East Asia, Tonomura’s work has interrogated questions about gender and the role of women within the male-dominated culture of samurai and the context of medieval Japanese warfare.
Herbert G. Winful is an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Joseph E. and Anne P. Rowe Professor of Electrical Engineering, and professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering, and professor of physics in LSA. His approach has been to help as many individuals as possible to advance in STEM-based careers — especially those whose opportunity or background has made achieving that goal more difficult — while also building inclusive communities, bridges and social infrastructure wherever possible.
Darlington David
I to congratulate Professors Cortina, Jacksons, Tonomura and Windful on their exceptional awards. They had all worked very hard in the area of DEI to be rewarded with such an extraordinary achievement, which proves their professionalisms. A special appreciation goes to Professor Trachette L. Jackson (my mentor) and Professor Herbert G. Windful, both I have interacted with closely and felt the transformation.