University Communications and Marketing
The Committee on Black Affairs recognized Elizabeth Hordge Freeman, Maya Trotz and Hiram R. Green for their scholarship and selfless service to the University of South Florida.
"This year’s award recipients exemplify dedication to scholarship, teaching, research and public service,” said COBA co-chair Denise Davis-Cotton, director of the Florida Center for Partnerships in Arts-Integrated Teaching (PAInT) at USF Sarasota-Manatee. “Each has made a significant contribution to our university and the wider community. Their commitment serves as an inspiration through the valued contributions.”
Elizabeth Hordge Freeman
Maya Trotz
Hiram R. Green
Hordge Freeman, an associate professor of sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences, serves as the founding chair of the USF Racial Justice Initiative. She is the author of several articles and books, including her two-time award-winning book, “Second Class Daughters: Black Brazilian Women and Informal Adoptions as Modern Slavery. Hordge-Freeman also has served in several administrative positions at USF, including senior advisor to the president and provost for diversity and inclusion and leveraged those roles to develop numerous councils and committees to support inclusive excellence.
Trotz, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering within the College of Engineering, hails from Guyana. She is the principal investigator of multiple federally funded projects, including the STRONG Coasts National Research Traineeship to foster food, energy and water solutions with coastal communities, the STRONG Coasts Large-scale Coastlines and People project on equitable nature-based solutions and BlueGAP, a Blue Economy Accelerator initiative to reduce nitrogen pollution. She has led projects to increase research experiences for undergraduate students and teachers, and currently works with an interdisciplinary team to improve undergraduate Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education by addressing issues of equity and inclusivity in civil and environmental engineering curriculum.
Green serves as the director of community engagement for USF Health and director of public relations for the Taneja College of Pharmacy, where he plays a pivotal role in bridging community organizations with collaborative initiatives. One notable example of his successful efforts is his involvement with USF Taneja College of Pharmacy WE-CARE, an initiative focused on enhancing health outcomes within minority communities by boosting minority enrollment and involvement in research endeavors. An alumnus, Green has been a staple in the USF community for over 45 years serving in a variety of roles, including assistant athletic director and director of development for the College of Medicine.
Established in 2023, the COBA Awards are given annually to acknowledge merit, contributions, positive advancement, and support to the USF community.
The Committee on Black Affairs is responsible for advising the president on matters affecting Black faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the university, as well as USF’s relationship to the Black community.