The University of Utah is spotlighting some of its brightest minds whose academic work is making waves in the real world, with President Taylor Randall recognizing five faculty members as the 2025-26 Presidential Societal Impact Scholars, a title awarded to academics who extend their knowledge beyond campus borders to engage with and uplift the wider community, as detailed by At The U.
The lauded group includes Tino Nyawelo, revered for advancing physics and astronomy education among refugees through the REFUGES program, David Wetter, who works tirelessly at the forefront of health equity as head of the Center for Health Outcomes and Population Equity, Matthew Basso, contributing to the intersection of gender studies and history, Divya Chandrasekhar, who aids communities in disaster planning and response, and mechanical engineer Sameer Rao, who is at the cutting edge of STEM education mentoring each of these educators are now recipients of both recognition and a $10,000 cash prize to further their initiatives, as obtained by At The U.
"As Presidential Societal Impact Scholars, these exceptional faculty demonstrate how public engagement and scholarship can have a broad impact on the world around us,” Randall said, as per At The U, underscoring the faculty's role in shaping not just academic discourse but also societal advancement through their expertise and community involvement.
The award, established in 2022 by law professor Randy Dryer through a generous donation, looks for nominees whose work tackles significant societal challenges such as mental illness, poverty, and environmental issues, moreover, these scholars are expected to engage in public debates, influence policy, and make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and institutions, echoing Dryer’s sentiment in an At The U interview, stressing the importance of translating academic research into practical, real-world solutions that foster the creation of a more just, equitable world.
