Fairfield University will celebrate its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Vision Awards on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Barone Campus Center Oak Room. The event, open to the University community, recognizes individuals whose record of personal and institutional achievement in areas of leadership and service reflect a strong commitment to advancing the ideals and values of Martin Luther King — courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility, and service. Registration is requested and hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided.
This year’s honorees include Nicole Fletcher, PhD, assistant professor of educational studies and teacher preparation (faculty award), Lisa Thornell, head of library outreach and communications (staff award), Blessed Stephen ‘25, Rishi Black ’25 (students awards), and Janet Ortiz, program director, Urban Impact (community partner award).
Dr. Nicole Fletcher is a dedicated advocate for equity and antiracism in education, using her expertise to drive meaningful change at the School of Education and Human Development. During her tenure, she redesigned the "Learning Mathematics in the Elementary Classroom" course to challenge dehumanizing teaching methods and implement practices that recognize the mathematical brilliance of marginalized students. She has also conducted and and presented research on building community through culturally relevant math education.
As the head of library outreach and communications, Lisa Thornell has led initiatives like the Student Library Advisory Board and Stags Share Stories, creating spaces where students from diverse backgrounds — commuters, graduate students, and international students — can connect. Her leadership extends to impactful programming, from banned books discussions and finals wellness initiatives, to spearheading Fairfield’s participation in Frederick Douglass Day, honoring African-American history. Additionally, Thornell has supported first-year STEM students with tailored workshops and she uses her art history expertise to deepen connections with the Fairfield University Art Museum.
Stephen is a dedicated leader, mentor, and advocate for social justice at Fairfield University. As a member of the inaugural Company Scholars cohort, she has excelled academically, completing her degree a year ahead of schedule while also taking on leadership roles within the program. As a Company Scholar, she has mentored fellow students, coordinated programming, and worked with members of the University to strengthen the program’s impact. In addition to her role within Company Scholars, Stephen is president of the Black Student Union, participates as an active member of the Care Team, and is an intern for the Racial Justice for Social Justice Committee. Before Fairfield, she demonstrated her passion for advocacy by founding the Young Women of Color Symposium in high school.
Recognized for their dedication to social justice, Black has served as a leader in organizations such as the South Asian Student Association, Fairfield Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and the Health Equity Awareness Club, consistently working to advance diversity and inclusion on campus. As a three-year research fellow with the Center for Social Impact, they have contributed to transformative projects, including efforts to prevent gun violence and promote urban agriculture. Their work on the Amplifying Resident Voices project played a key role in securing a $1 million grant to support community safety initiatives, while their leadership in the CARROT initiative has strengthened connections among Bridgeport’s community gardeners. Promoted to senior research fellow in 2024, Black mentored undergraduate researchers, guiding six projects that reinforced their commitment to sustainability and justice. Their passion for addressing systemic inequities extends beyond Fairfield, as reflected in their Fulbright proposal to study healthcare standards for transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
Ortiz has spent more than three decades serving her hometown advocating for children and underserved communities in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She has worked as a religious coordinator at the Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center, led the Nehemiah Commission’s preventative outreach, and now works as the Bridgeport office manager for the Center for Children’s Advocacy and program director for Urban Impact, CT, where she leads after-school programming at Geraldine Claytor Magnet Academy.
Fairfield University’s MLK Celebration Week continues with campuswide events honoring Dr. King’s legacy. The Convocation will take place on Wednesday, February 12, at 6 p.m. at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, featuring renowned author Edwidge Danticat as the keynote speaker. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information on Fairfield University’s MLK Jr. Celebration, visit fairfield.edu/mlk.
