Alum Sam Lawrence (PhD, ‘22), was awarded the RFS Award in Science for the best paper by a woman in science or underrepresented minority in a Liebert peer-reviewed journal. Sam’s paper Bullying involvement at the intersection of gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and disability: Prevalence disparities and the protective power of school-related developmental assets” was published in LGBT Health, and can be found here: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/lgbt.2023.0076

Cheryl Hilton, a UConn graduate from 1991 with a BS in Human Development and Family Relations (HDFR) with a concentration in social policy and public relations, has made significant contributions in various fields. During her time at UConn, Hilton was actively involved as a Husky Ambassador, Campus Tour Guide, and an active member of the H. Fred Simons African American Cultural Center.

After graduation Hilton embarked on a 14-year career in health and welfare insurance. However, her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to service led her to pivot into real estate. Recognizing disparities in the industry she created the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors Bridge Committee, Connecticut’s first and longest running real estate diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. In 2016, she along with a committee member championed the reintroduction of Fair Housing Education as a mandatory, in-person continuing education requirement, earning her The Connecticut Fair Housing Empowering Communities Award.

In 2020, Hilton shifted her focus to continuing education curriculum creation and instruction. She was the key content creator and played a pivotal role in developing the groundbreaking course “Understanding and Preventing Bias in your Real Estate Practice,” which she taught to over 8,000 real estate licensees in 2021. Her impact extended beyond real estate. Hilton served two consecutive terms on the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors Board of Directors, two consecutive terms on the Connecticut Board of Directors, and served as a Commissioner of The Southington Housing Authority. In 2021, she received the prestigious Realtor of The Year award from the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors.

In the fall of 2023, Hilton transitioned to a hospital administrator’s position, managing the Community Health and Well Being Department at Saint Mary’s Hospital / Trinity Health Of New England in Waterbury, CT. Driven by a desire to make a difference, Hilton founded The Hilton Advocacy Group, LLC in 2010. Through this organization, she passionately advocates for K-12 students with Individual Education Programs (IEPs), 504 Plans, and those facing racial or LBGTQIA+ issues. In 2019 she joined RE-Center’s Race & Equity Board of Directors, where today she serves as the Board Secretary. Hilton’s commitment to service extends to her role as the current President of The Waterbury (CT) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, where she has been a proud and active member since 2006.

Hilton resides in Southington, CT with her spouse and fellow UConn Alum Howard Campbell. She is the proud mother of Jared Campbell (RPI,’22, BArch) and Trent Campbell (UConn, Storrs Poli Sci Class of 2026).