Frances Contreras receives “Woman of the Year” honor
By Carol Jean Tomoguchi-Perez
June 7, 2023
June 7, 2023
Frances Contreras
Frances Contreras, dean and professor of the UC Irvine School of Education, was honored with a Woman of the Year Award from the National Hispanic Business Women’s Association (NHBWA) at the organization's 2024 Annual Awards and Scholarship Luncheon on May 23 in Santa Ana, Calif.
Contreras was recognized for her leadership in promoting equity and inclusion for the school, the UC Irvine campus, and the Southern California community. She is widely acclaimed for her research on academic diversity and access throughout the education pipeline, and her work continues to positively impact first-generation students and students of color.
Dean Contreras has received numerous accolades throughout her career, particularly her institutional efforts to advance equity and justice. She was honored by the city of San Diego on December 17, 2021, with "Dr. Frances Contreras Day," recognizing her leadership and service to the city and county of San Diego. Dean Contreras has also received a lifetime achievement award from the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs for her work in addressing Latino student equity and awarded by UC San Diego with the Cesar Chavez Faculty Award in Spring 2021 for her outstanding contributions to the campus community. Additionally, she was honored by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine as an “Emerging Scholar” and one of the “Top 25 to Watch” among academicians in the country.
The NHBWA’s mission is to empower and encourage women and business owners to develop and increase their business through educational seminars and speakers, by offering mutual support, the sharing of information, business referrals, and networking.
Contreras was recognized for her leadership in promoting equity and inclusion for the school, the UC Irvine campus, and the Southern California community. She is widely acclaimed for her research on academic diversity and access throughout the education pipeline, and her work continues to positively impact first-generation students and students of color.
Dean Contreras has received numerous accolades throughout her career, particularly her institutional efforts to advance equity and justice. She was honored by the city of San Diego on December 17, 2021, with "Dr. Frances Contreras Day," recognizing her leadership and service to the city and county of San Diego. Dean Contreras has also received a lifetime achievement award from the Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs for her work in addressing Latino student equity and awarded by UC San Diego with the Cesar Chavez Faculty Award in Spring 2021 for her outstanding contributions to the campus community. Additionally, she was honored by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine as an “Emerging Scholar” and one of the “Top 25 to Watch” among academicians in the country.
The NHBWA’s mission is to empower and encourage women and business owners to develop and increase their business through educational seminars and speakers, by offering mutual support, the sharing of information, business referrals, and networking.
