Chris Wallace, Communiversity Youth Program Manager, was award the Special Recognition award at the 9th Annual University Awards Ceremony. The University Diversity Award recognizes significant contribution to the enhancement, support and/or furtherance of diversity on the campus and in the community.
Chris was recognized for his service to UNC and the greater Chapel Hill community through his work as the Communiversity Manager. The Communiversity Youth Program (CYP) is one the Center's signature programs and one of the longest-running youth services programs at UNC Chapel Hill. At the end of April, the Center will host a celebration honoring the 25th year of the Communiversity Youth Program.
Since its inception in 1992, CYP has connected the vision of Dr. Stone and the work and resources of the Sonja Haynes Stone Center with the University campus and local and state communities through service-learning, community-building, social justice outreach, leadership, cultural literacy development, and interpersonal skills development. CYP fulfills an important part of the Stone Center’s mission of examining the role of culture in social change and community development by helping to improve student performance through education and practical experience. These components educate, empower and expose participating community youth to various aspects of African and African-American culture and history, along with other cultural traditions, through alternative teaching methods. Working in cooperation with other University departments and the Chapel Hill Carrboro school system, CYP has established lasting relationships and built an important bridge between the University and these communities while also sponsoring other community outreach programs that assist in building and/or rebuilding key economic and social resources.
Congratulations, Chris, on this well-deserved honor!