The University of Utah mourns the loss of Debra “Deb” Daniels, longtime director of the Women’s Resource Center.
Daniels, who led the center from 2003 to 2020, passed away on August 14 at the age of 70. Throughout her life, Deb was known broadly for her tireless efforts in supporting women, non-violence, diversity, and social justice.
“Throughout her long career at the University of Utah, Deb Daniels was a trusted mentor and source of wisdom for me and so many other students and professionals,” said Lori McDonald, vice president for Student Affairs. “She was a steady force for good on our campus and will be truly missed.”
A native of Ogden, Daniels came to the University of Utah already deeply rooted in higher education. After graduating from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 1979, she worked as a tutor and a counselor for the Upward Bound Summer program for two years while completing her master’s in Social Work at the University of Utah in 1984.
As a licensed clinical social worker, Daniels led the YWCA’s program for survivors of domestic violence in what is now the YWCA Family Justice Center, then worked as the clinical director of the Rape Recovery Center. In 2003, she jumped at the chance to lead the Women’s Resource Center, becoming only the third director in the center’s 53-year history, with a mandate to bring a fresh vision to services which had become outdated.
Soon the center began to play a more active, practical and engaged role in the lives of students. Under Daniels’ leadership, programming, fundraising and scholarships increased. The center had $60,000 in its scholarship fund when Daniels started, enough for 12 students; by the time she retired in June 2020, the center provided $250,000 a year in scholarships to over 100 recipients.
“Deb brought her own life experience to her work, personally connecting with students struggling with alienation, oppression, unpreparedness or displacement,” said Kirstin Maanum, the last director of the Women’s Resource Center and current director of the Student Affairs Scholarship Support Hub (SASSH). “She consistently handled sensitive, potentially volatile situations with a deft and even hand and the utmost care and compassion.”
In 2010, Daniels received the Linda K. Amos Award for Distinguished Service to Women of the University of Utah. Three years later, she received the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP’s Rosa Parks Award.
Debra was passionate about many issues, including education. She, along with Kai Medina-Martinez, former director of the LGBT Resource Center, created a scholarship in 2010 for students from underrepresented groups and/or first-generation individuals pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work.
Daniels is survived by her two sons, her brother and many extended family members and friends.