2023 AUCD Multicultural Council Award for Leadership in Diversity

November 7, 2023

The AUCD Multicultural Council Award for Leadership in Diversity is presented to an Association member or group in recognition of:

  • their exhibited leadership and commitment to advancing programs and practices aimed toward increasing the diversity, cultural, and/or linguistic competencies (in curriculum, services, supports, research, and recruitment) within a Center and the AUCD network as a whole
  • exemplary programs and practices addressing the areas of diversity, cultural, and/or linguistic competencies (in curriculum, services, supports, research, and recruitment) within a Center and the AUCD network as a whole
  • significant contributions in furthering the cause of diversity understanding for the needs of families seeking disability services.

Mirian Ofonedu, PhD, MSW, LCSW-C

Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities, Kennedy Krieger Institute: Baltimore, MD

"Dr. Ofonedu has demonstrated leadership and commitment to advancing programs and practices aimed toward increasing diversity, cultural, and linguistic competency within the MCDD, LEND program, Kennedy Krieger Institute, and in the community. Dr. Ofonedu frequently partners with AUCD network leaders to share her knowledge and expertise at the AUCD annual conference and through her work on the Multicultural Council."

Biography

Dr. Ofonedu is the Director of Training at the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute. She is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Mental Health and at the University of Maryland Baltimore Graduate School. She is also a Faculty Affiliate of the Johns Hopkins Wendy Klag Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities and Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Dr. Ofonedu is a psychologist and a licensed clinical social worker. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) and served as APA Division 37 Program Chair and Task Force on Diversity Initiatives Coordinator and currently serves as Chair for the Diverse, Racial, Ethnic, and Multicultural Special Interest Group and liaison to the Committee on International Relations in Psychology. She is a Kennedy Krieger Social Justice Award recipient. Dr. Ofonedu contributes to the field through her clinical, research, and training expertise at local, state, national, and international levels. Her work, which spans over two decades, is inspired by the core values of recognizing and building on the strengths and competencies that exist in a person, family, and community; being culturally and linguistically responsive to each person’s unique needs for the purpose of creating a more just, inclusive, and equitable society for all. Click to read her full bio.