Lee Ragsdale, reentry resource program director for the Education Justice Project, has been named the Campus Award for Excellence in Public Engagement recipient by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost. Ragsdale was selected for the Emerging Award for early career public engagement activities.
Lee was nominated by EJP director Rebecca Ginsburg, who says Ragsdale is committed to developing and expanding the resources available to those reentering society from incarceration. She has consistently updated the reentry guide "Mapping Your Future" and expanded its distribution beyond the state of Illinois.
Ragsdale conceptualized and developed "A New Path: A Guide to the Challenges and Opportunities After Deportation." The guide has been published and updated since 2018, but EJP has seen a sharp increase in requests for it since the 2024 election.
The award is given to a faculty or staff member who has contributed significantly to the local community, state, nation, or world through distinguished university public engagement. They are eligible for public engagement awards. Ragsdale will be honored at the Celebration of Public Engagement on May 20.
