Saida Abdi, an assistant professor in the School of Social Work, is a recipient of a 2023 President’s Award for Outstanding Service. The University award recognizes faculty and staff who have provided exceptional service to the University, its schools, colleges, departments, and service units. This service goes well beyond the regular duties of a faculty or staff member and demonstrates unusual commitment to the University community.

Abdi’s area of focus is building individual, family, and community resilience and improving the responsiveness of systems of care to the needs of refugee and immigrant communities. She has worked for more than 20 years with refugee and youth families and is an expert in refugee trauma and resilience.

The board of regents will present the award to Abdi at its May 12 meeting. A reception honoring Abdi and other award recipients is being planned for June.