Dr. Zuri Dale wins SWASAP Texas TRIO Achiever Award

Dr. Zuri Dale, Texas Southern University (TSU) alumna and Assistant Vice President of Research and Innovation Initiatives, has been honored with the Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs (SWASAP) Texas TRIO Achiever Award for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions in her professional field.

Dr. Dale’s work in public health, particularly in disease prevention, epidemiology, and health promotion, as well as her commitment to advancing research and innovation at Texas Southern, exemplify the spirit of the award.

“I am truly humbled to receive the Texas TRIO Achiever Award,” said Dr. Dale. “This recognition is a testament to the power of perseverance, education, and the support of organizations like TRIO, which have played a vital role in my journey.”

Under her leadership, Texas Southern has seen notable advancements in research initiatives, including current efforts to develop an Artificial Intelligence Health Equity Research Lab, and the Texas Southern COVID Prevention and Response efforts, in which Texas Southern vaccinated more than 40,000 people and analyzed over 15,000 PCR-based samples. Dr. Dale currently leads the university’s Long-COVID research team, a TSU initiative to quantify the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month, Dr. Dale helped spearhead the development of Texas Southern University’s newest Institute for Urban Public Health and Housing Equity in the W.R. Banks Child Development Center.  The 6,000-square-foot hub will address public health, affordable housing, and community wellness.

Dr. Dale’s achievements extend beyond her professional prowess, as she has actively supported programs aimed at empowering underrepresented communities and advancing health equity. She continues to inspire others to pursue their academic and professional goals while advocating for systemic change.

The Texas TRIO Achiever Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, community service, and academic success. In addition to being a leader in their respective field, a requirement of this award is participation in a TRIO Program. Dr. Dale’s passion for research was birthed from her participation as a student in a TRIO program. She was a student researcher in the Ronald McNair Program as an undergraduate student at Texas Southern University.

Her recognition highlights the ongoing impact of TRIO programs like the Texas Southern Ronald McNair program. Dr. Dale joins two former Texas Southern University presidents and two former Texas Southern Provosts who have received this prestigious award.

For more information on TRIO programs at Texas Southern, please contact Deanna Ashley-Lemon (Deanna.Ashley-Lemon@tsu.edu). Currently, the Texas Southern TRIO program serves more than 1,100 high school students in 14 zip codes across the city of Houston, demonstrating Texas Southern University’s reach and impact beyond Third Ward.