Sarah Zehr Gantz, Ph.D. '16 EPOL and associate vice president for academic affairs for the University of Illinois System, was honored by the Executive Club of Champaign County with the Athena Leadership Award.
Gantz’s career reflects an extensive commitment to education, leadership development, and public service. During more than two decades with the University of Illinois, she has held leadership positions spanning academic affairs, public engagement, corporate relations, engineering career services, communications, and business education. She serves as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Education, teaching graduate-level courses and advising master’s and doctoral students.
Gantz has served as President of the Executive Club of Champaign County, held numerous leadership roles with Leadership Illinois and the United Way of Champaign County, and initiated major community service efforts addressing issues including hunger and volunteer engagement. One initiative she proposed and led grew to involve more than 1,500 volunteers packaging 160,000 meals for the local food bank.
Gantz is also a former ATHENA Young Professional Award recipient, having received the honor in 2012. Her other recognitions include the University of Illinois Chancellor's Academic Professional Excellence Award, the United Way Spirit of Caring Outstanding Volunteer Award, and recognition among Champaign-Urbana's Top Forty Under 40.
The ATHENA Awards celebrate leadership that strengthens communities while creating opportunities for women to reach their full potential. A panel of community leaders selects recipients based on the materials submitted through the nomination process.
