Every December, the Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission celebrates the day when the United Nations first adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. On Saturday, December 10^th, in partnership with the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office, the Human Rights Commission honored University of Utah Assistant Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer, Emma E. Houston with a 2022 Individual Human Rights Day Award.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Advancing Human Rights.” AVP/CDO Houston is the former diversity & inclusion director for Salt Lake County Government, the former chair of the Utah MLK Jr. Human Rights Commission, and a member of the Utah COVID-19 Task Force.

Nominated by members of the community, Equity Manager Moana Uluave-Hafoka of the mayor’s office says that Houston is being recognized this year for “her long-term equity work in the public sector—especially her recent efforts to make COVID tests and shots available for everyone and her work to ensure that more than 30,000 students at the University of Utah get the best, fairest, and most equitable care.”

The University of Utah’s division for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion joins the Human Rights Committee and the Mayor’s Office in congratulating AVP Houston for this prestigious honor and recognition.