IU Fort Wayne is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Building Bridges Awards. These awards recognize individuals who exemplify Dr. King’s vision, spirit, and leadership in fostering inclusivity and building bridges within the community.

The annual tradition calls upon IU Fort Wayne faculty and staff to nominate one deserving student and one community member each year. Awardees were celebrated during an IU campus-wide breakfast held on Monday, Jan. 20 in Bloomington.

“The Building Bridges Awards celebrate those who embody Dr. King’s philosophy of creating unity and breaking down barriers,” Dr. Deborah Garrison, IU Fort Wayne Inaugural Vice Chancellor and Dean said. “These individuals inspire us to continue advancing equity and inclusion in our campus and community.”

This year, IU Fort Wayne honors two remarkable recipients:

IU Fort Wayne 2025 Student Awardee: Maria Zamudio-Niño

Maria Zamudio-Niño, a Master of Social Work student at the IU Fort Wayne School of Social Work, has been recognized as the 2025 Building Bridges Student Award recipient. Maria's nomination described her as a servant leader, consistently advancing inclusivity and embracing diversity in her work.

“Maria demonstrates profound insight and depth of understanding for individuals made vulnerable by political, economic, and social systems,” said one of her nominators. “Her lived experiences as an immigrant, shared with humility and grace, empower others navigating the challenges of migration.”

Maria's passion for enhancing the well-being of immigrants began in childhood and has guided her academic and professional pursuits. From earning her bachelor’s degree in social work to pursuing her master’s, she remains dedicated to serving immigrant communities. Maria will also be recognized at the Ruby Awards this spring.

IU Fort Wayne 2025 Community Awardee: Sharon Roberts

Sharon Roberts, the clerkship administrator for the IU School of Medicine at Fort Wayne, has been honored as the 2025 Building Bridges Community Award recipient. Sharon’s nomination highlighted her unwavering commitment to diversity and advocacy, which has profoundly influenced the lives of medical students, faculty, and staff.

Sharon’s work with initiatives such as United Front and the Strategic Plan for Campus Culture exemplifies her role as a leader and advocate. She will receive further recognition at the faculty and staff recognition dinner later this spring.

For more details, including the history of the awards, a video featuring the 2025 recipients, and a full list of past honorees, visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Building Bridges website.