Thomas Jefferson Awards honor advancement of higher education and society
The University of Colorado has announced two recipients of the 2025 Thomas Jefferson Award, one of the university’s highest honors. The award recognizes members of the CU community who exemplify the ideals of Thomas Jefferson, including a commitment to educational excellence, broad interests, civic responsibility and the welfare of individuals.
This year’s honorees are Hannah Wilks, assistant dean of students at CU Boulder, and Wesley Marshall, professor of Civil Engineering and Urban and Regional Planning at CU Denver.
Hannah Wilks
For more than 17 years at CU Boulder, Wilks has built a career devoted to advancing equity and ensuring that the university community has access to essential resources. Her leadership spans multiple roles on the Boulder campus, including in the Women’s Resource Center, Volunteer Resource Center, Student Outreach, Advocacy and Support, and now as the assistant dean of students. In each position, she has worked to remove systemic barriers and create a more inclusive, compassionate environment for students, staff and faculty.
Wilks is best known for founding and directing CU Boulder’s Basic Needs Center, the first office of its kind on campus and a model for the state. Through programs such as the Buff Pantry and Mobile Food Pantry, the center has provided hundreds of thousands of meals and reduced food insecurity for thousands. Her initiatives not only address urgent needs but also foster dignity, community and long-term solutions. By cultivating over 150 partnerships with local, national and international organizations, and state agencies, she has positioned the university as a leader in collaborative approaches to social welfare.
Her service extends beyond CU Boulder through board membership on the Colorado Agricultural Development Authority, with appointments by Gov. Polis and former Gov. Hickenlooper, and the Colorado Higher Education Basic Needs Coalition, which she co-founded and has chaired to advance essential needs work across the state in all post-secondary institutions. Wilks’ work reflects the Jeffersonian ideal of civic responsibility, combining leadership, public service and a commitment to the welfare of individuals.
Wilks will be recognized at a reception set for 3-4 p.m. Sept. 26 in the Flatirons Room at the Center for Community, CU Boulder.
Wesley Marshall
Marshall joined CU Denver’s College of Engineering, Design and Computing in 2009 and has since become a leading voice in reimagining transportation systems. A professor of Civil Engineering with a joint appointment in Urban and Regional Planning, he serves as associate chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction and directs CU Denver’s Transportation Research Center and the Human-Centered Transportation program. His work bridges technical expertise with civic responsibility, aligning closely with Jeffersonian ideals.
His research examines how community design influences safety, sustainability and health. With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and over $6 million in funding, Marshall has brought national and international attention to CU Denver. His scholarship has been featured in outlets such as The Atlantic, NPR’s Science Friday and The Washington Post, underscoring his ability to connect rigorous academic inquiry with public dialogue. His 2024 book, “Killed by a Traffic Engineer,” further demonstrates his broad intellectual reach, blending research, cultural critique and humor to make transportation policy accessible to all.
Marshall is equally dedicated to teaching and mentorship. A recipient of CU Denver’s Outstanding Faculty in Research Award and a three-time recipient of the College of Engineering’s Outstanding Faculty in Teaching Award, he has guided students into academic careers, government service and leadership positions in industry. He also has championed diversity in the engineering profession, securing federal Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) funding to support graduate students from underrepresented groups. Through his leadership, CU Denver has become a hub for training transportation professionals who prioritize human well-being and equity.
He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Virginia, founded by Jefferson. Marshall learned and witnessed Jeffersonian ideals daily during his four years of study there, an experience he carries with him throughout his work today.
Marshall will be recognized at a reception set for 4-5 p.m. Oct. 2 in the Terrace Room at Lawrence Street Center, CU Denver.
The Thomas Jefferson Award is presented annually across the CU system to faculty, staff and/or students whose achievements embody Jefferson’s ideals and contribute to the advancement of higher education and society. Award winners – who are selected by a committee of CU faculty, staff and students – receive an engraved plaque and a $2,000 honorarium.
This year’s deadline for nomination submissions is Dec. 8. Please visit https://www.cu.edu/oaa/recognitions/thomas-jefferson-award for award details. Questions? Please contact academicaffairs@cu.edu.