April N. Horne is an authentic listener who acts on behalf of the interests of her team and her community, according to coworkers who nominated the associate director of the College of Engineering’s ENGAGED program for the 2024 Edith Sayre Auslander Emerging Visionary Award.

Horne was honored Oct. 17 at a ceremony hosted by the Commission on the Status of Women. CSW established the program in 1999 to recognize University of Arizona leaders who cultivate diversity and improve the campus climate, promote a culture of learning and development, and promote equity.

ENGAGED (ENGineering Access, Greater Equity and Diversity) is a suite of services for engineering undergraduates who face challenges such as being part of underrepresented groups or being the first in their families to attend college. The program began in 2016. As associate director, Horne “approaches everything in her scope of work through a lens of representation and cultural inclusivity,” stated her nomination.

The awards are named for Edith Sayre Auslander, a U of A alum and former faculty member. Auslander served on the Arizona Board of Regents and was instrumental in establishing the CSW. She died in 2023.