Five Honored for Work in Diversity

Five Cache Valley residents were honored for their contributions to affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity. Bartell W. Cardon, LuAnn Helms, Maria De Jesus Cordero, Melissa Nuntapreda and Juan N. Franco received awards Nov. 17 from Utah State University President Stan L. Albrecht.

The awards were presented in conjunction with the Associated Students of Utah State University’s Diversity Week of activities.

Cardon is a licensed psychologist and retired as the director of Bear River Mental Health Services. He founded the Hispanic Center of Cache Valley, now known as the Multicultural Center of Cache Valley.

Helms is a psychologist at the USU Counseling Center. She is actively involved in multicultural activities and in assisting the gay, lesbian, bixexual and transgendered students at USU.

Cordero is an associate professor of Spanish in USU’s Department of Languages, Philosophy and Speech Communication. She assists students, faculty and staff understand cultural differences and issues such as immigration and internationalization. She spends her free time in Latin American countries in need.

Nuntapreda is an undergraduate student in Nutrition and Food Sciences. She was invited by Utah’s First lady, Mary Kay Huntsman, to share her life experiences with other students as an ambassador for the Power in You program designed to boost teenagers’ self-esteem.

Franco, who has since left USU, was honored in the category of Administrator. While at USU, he worked hard to enhance diversity. He helped acquire more than $100,000 in scholarship support for Native American students.