Sabrina Murray: Social Justice in Higher Education Award
The Social Justice in Higher Education Award is presented to a graduating student in the student development in higher education master’s program who has demonstrated deep and consistent commitment to understanding, analyzing, and advancing both theory and practice related to diversity, inclusivity, and social justice in higher education as evidenced by both academic and co-curricular pursuits and accomplishments during their graduate studies.
Sabrina Murray (She/Her) is one of the co-recipients of the 2023 Social Justice in Higher Education Award. Sabrina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology & Anthropology with minors in English and Ethnic Studies from Lewis & Clark College (LC) in Portland, Oregon. Sabrina’s lived experiences as a transracial adoptee (TRA) influence her passion for social justice work. Sabrina’s mentor from LC was another strong motivation for her to pursue a career in Student Affairs. During her time at UMaine, she has been an assistant community coordinator in Residence Life, an intern in UMaine’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion, Academic Support Services for Student-Athletes, Office for Student’s Rights and Responsibilities, and at Central Maine Community College helping establish diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. As a TRA scholar, Sabrina’s first published works will be coming out in the Spring of 2023 in “Blurring Boundaries and Binaries: Belonging, Gender, & Mixed Heritages in Higher Education in the United States” and “Transracial Adoptee and Multiracial Perspectives: Navigating Higher Education Spaces as Our Authentic Selves.”
Sabrina would like to add: “To my mom, sister, Christian, friends, TRA community, mentors, and faculty, I am here because of your support and love. The past two years in grad school developed my sense of personal and professional identity. I will always remember UMaine as a place of growth and with gratitude.”