Maria Silva Receives 2020 Richard Cone Award for Emerging Leader in Community Engagement – Video Included
Maria Silva, the director of community partnerships for USD’s Karen and Tom Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action, has been honored with the 2020 Richard E. Cone Award for Emerging Leaders in Community Engagement by California Campus Compact. This prestigious award recognizes Silva’s outstanding work in the field of community engagement and her positive impact on both the campus and the community.
Silva, a USD alumna, expressed her gratitude for the recognition, calling it “humbling” and “unbelievable.” She credits her success to the support and mentorship she has received from her colleagues at the Mulvaney Center, including Chris Nayve, John Loggins, and former director Elaine Elliott.
As a woman of color from Nogales, Mexico, Silva’s upbringing in a border town has influenced her approach to community engagement, particularly in the San Diego-Tijuana border region. Her unique perspective and binational orientation have allowed her to navigate literal and figurative border crossings with insight and empathy.
Chris Nayve, USD’s Associate Vice President of Community Engagement, praised Silva for her commitment to radical hospitality and her practice of developing deep, reciprocal relationships with community partners. He emphasized the transformative impact of Silva’s work on the campus and the broader community.
Silva’s dedication to championing underserved communities and individuals is evident in her involvement in various initiatives and collaborations at USD. She has worked tirelessly to advocate for the people of Linda Vista and broker partnerships that benefit both the university and the community.
In addition to her work at the Mulvaney Center, Silva has collaborated with faculty members like Greg Prieto to raise awareness of DACA students at USD and provide support through UndocuAlly trainings. She has also partnered with Rachel Christensen to establish a Tijuana hub and classroom, expanding USD’s presence and impact in the region.
Receiving the Cone Award has energized Silva and reaffirmed her commitment to community engagement through higher education. She sees the award as validation of the value of collaboration, building relationships, and creating inclusive spaces for diverse voices to be heard.
Maria Silva’s exemplary leadership and dedication to community engagement make her a deserving recipient of the Richard E. Cone Award, highlighting the importance of fostering meaningful partnerships between universities and their surrounding communities.