Victoria Lael

Victoria Lael embraces service as a foundation for how she develops relationships, builds inclusive community spaces, creates intercultural experiences, and helps others know they belong.

Her nominator said, "Victoria models how to live a life of selfless service. She has inspired me and others in our department to lead through relationships and building strong connections of community with our students.”

In her former role as Director of Undergraduate Studies and now as an advanced instructor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, Victoria has consistently embodied service as a foundation for leadership. She develops relationships with intention, creates inclusive spaces where students feel seen and valued, and designs opportunities that foster belonging.

Victoria led the creation of the university’s first ever Human Development and Family Science Student Association. She ensured the necessary infrastructure for students to develop activities and service opportunities that unite HDFS students, established a strong sense of community and purpose, and empowered students to decide how they will be responsible citizens at the university and community level.

Victoria’s commitment to students extends far beyond the expectation for her role. She regularly volunteers her time at recruitment and outreach events simply because she loves doing them and believes deeply in making connections with students, who gravitate toward her because they can see how much she cares, and because she leads by example.

Victoria has led crucial student-centered curriculum changes that make it easier for students to graduate on time and with relevant academic experiences. Her work has expanded disciplinary electives, removed unnecessary barriers, adjusted field study requirements, and revised pathway expectations.

Though students may never know the significant time, energy, and persistence these changes required, they feel the benefits. Victoria’s countless hours listening to students and advisors, identifying challenges, and shaping solutions have helped ensure that students can move forward to serve their communities.

A project that Victoria undertook for her department represents her larger impact on the culture within Human Development and Family Science. Victoria secured a university grant to provide every undergraduate student in HDFS with a shirt bearing the words, “You Belong.”

That message now shows up in classrooms, at events, and across campus, a constant reminder of the sense of connection and pride that students feel within and beyond the HDFS community.

Victoria said the highlight of her university experience is “any time I get to meaningfully connect with a student or colleague,” and that Ut Prosim expresses “the ever-present pull I feel to contribute to the well-being of everyone around me, however I can.”

For service to students that in turn multiplies their service to the world, I am proud to present the faculty/staff Aspire! Award for Embrace Ut Prosim as a Way of Life to Victoria Lael.