By Neelam Chand, Communications Director, University of Utah Office for Equity and Diversity

Mary Anne Berzins, assistant vice president for Training and Developing in the University of Utah’s Division of Human Resources Management, received the 2015 Linda K. Amos Award for Distinguished Service to Women.

The award was given during the Edie Kochenour Lecture, Friday, March 6, by the U’s Presidential Commission on the Status of Women and the Women’s Week celebration committee.

The award, presented annually in March during Women’s Week, recognizes a staff or faculty member who has selflessly given time and energy to improve the educational and/or working environment for women at the U and represents the ideals and actions of Linda K. Amos, for whom the award is named.

Amos was the founding chair of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women and served as associate vice president of Health Sciences and dean of the College of Nursing. She is professor emerita of nursing.

“Mary Anne is passionate about improving the lives of women at the University of Utah,” said Debra Daniels, director of the U’s Women’s Resource Center. “She is committed to bringing the full spectrum of women’s voices, experiences and needs to discussion. She embodies all of the characteristic of a strong and capable leader, and she is greatly respected by her peers and colleagues.”

Berzins joined the University of Utah as assistant vice president for Human Resources in 2004. Her responsibilities include organization and employee development. She is also curriculum coordinator for the leadership development programs for faculty, director staff and post docs. She supports organization development throughout campus and is actively involved in a number of student programs through teaching and mentoring. Berzins facilitates workshops and presents in a wide range of settings. Prior to joining the University of Utah, Berzins held a number of human resources roles in both for profit and nonprofit organizations.