CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Senior Nya Harrison has been recognized as a recipient of the 2024 ACC UNITE Award, which was created to honor individuals affiliated with the league’s member institutions who have made an impact in the areas of racial and social justice.
The UNITE Award, announced as part of the ACC’s 2024 Fall Unity Week from October 11-20, is an initiative of the ACC’s UNITE Committee (formerly named CORE - Champions of Racial Equity) and was developed and approved by its 18 member institutions.
The UNITE Award is presented annually to individuals who:
- Best exemplify ACC UNITE’s mission to promote and encourage racial equity and social justice through education, partnerships, engagement and advocacy.
- Have helped create meaningful, lasting change by improving systems, organizational structures, policies, practices and attitudes.
- Have been a pioneer and/or helped pave the way for minorities either at the institution or in the community.
- Each school selects two recipients based on the above criteria and determines how best to celebrate their respective selections at campus events throughout the academic year.
"We are incredibly honored to recognize the fourth annual UNITE Award recipients and are thrilled to celebrate these deserving individuals,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “These amazing representatives from our 18-member schools have made significant impacts throughout their careers and continue to be dedicated to making a positive impact in the crucial areas of racial and social justice, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion."
2024 UNITE Award Recipients
Boston College: Blake Bolden & Justin Simmons
California: Marshawn Lynch & Charmin Smith
Clemson: Mary Kennerty & Marion Reeves
Duke: Troy Austin & Michelle Staggers
Florida State: Tiffani Brown & Terance Mann
Georgia Tech: Grover Hinsdale & Dr. Shaday Word-Daniels
Louisville: Angel McCoughtry & Judge Derwin L. Webb
Miami: Dr. Marvin P. Dawkins & Shirelle Jackson
North Carolina: Martina Ballen & Brianna Pinto
NC State: Chester Grant & Ronnie Laughlin
Notre Dame: Dorene Dominguez & Art Velasquez Jr.
Pitt: Leah Friedman & Darelle Porter
SMU: Pastor Richie Butler & Charlene Edwards
Stanford: Nya Harrison
Syracuse: Greg Allen & Sydnie Moore
Virginia: Elijah Gaines & Dr. Carla Williams
Virginia Tech: Aaron Rouse & Aisha Sheppard
Wake Forest: Dianne Dailey & Bill Hayes
Stanford
Nya Harrison (Women’s Soccer; 2021-25) is a current member of the Stanford Women’s Soccer team, having already contributed to nine shutout wins this season. She embodies the ideals of the ACC UNITE Award through her courageous leadership and stunning athletic achievements.
Harrison is a part of the United States national team system and has been called into action for seven matches, including with the U18 team at the Tricontinental Cup. As a sophomore, Harrison was a part of the Pac-12 Championship team and helped guide Stanford to 12 shutout wins while limiting opponents to just an average of 0.55 goals per game on 8.6 shots per game. She made the Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll in both her sophomore and junior seasons. This year, she has started in all 15 matches to date, helping Stanford to a 12-2-1 record and a No. 6 national ranking.
Harrison has built up the Cardinal BLCK club, where she serves as president, to 50 student-athletes. The club creates community-building initiatives, executes alumni events, supports Black mental health, holds voter registration events, and has collaborated with Stanford Black Community Services Center to connect student-athletes to the broader campus community. Harrison is also a Voice in Sport Advocate. She is one of the founding members and led 2022 Capital Hill Day to pitch expanding Title IX during her trip to Washington, D.C. Harrison is a part of the Empowerment Collective as well, having served as campaign manager for CA Bill 610. She organized coalition meetings, strategized bill language, and provided educational presentations on CA Bill 610 to various stakeholders and communities to garner support.