The University of Illinois Department of Sociology is proud to recognize Dr. Loren Henderson, PhD ’14, with the Outstanding Alumni Award. Dr. Henderson has built a distinguished career as a scholar, educator, and academic leader whose work bridges sociology and public policy. She currently serves as Director of the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and holds the rank of Full Professor. Her scholarship has made important contributions to the study of race, inequality, health disparities, organizations, and public policy, including books such as Diversity in Organizations: A Critical Examination and Race, Ethnicity, and the COVID-19 Pandemic, along with numerous articles in leading journals. Beyond her research, Henderson has demonstrated sustained commitment to leadership, mentorship, and professional service, including her role as an Executive Officer of the Association of Black Sociologists since 2021. Her career reflects the broad reach of sociological training and the importance of scholarship in service of the public good. We are proud to honor Dr. Loren Henderson as an outstanding alumna.