Willie Asamoah has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Xiaohui Zhang Diversity & Community Engagement Award in recognition of his contributions to servicing the department through mentorship of peers and undergraduate students, and also for community engagement.
The Xiaohui Zhang Diversity & Community Engagement Award honors SLCL student Xiaohui Zhang (1985-2020) for his exemplary combination of academic and human qualities, as well as for his strong sense of community engagement, which guided his actions during his years at Illinois. This award recognizes an SLCL member who has contributed to the School’s mission of promoting a diverse, inclusive, and engaged academic community, and who has facilitated meaningful connections between SLCL and the wider, community, in a spirit of partnership, respect, and reciprocity.
The awardees will be honored at the 2026 SLCL Awards Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, April 23, 2026.