Dr. Dreussi, who left a career in journalism to become an academic, is cochair of the University of Akron’s Rethinking Race: Black, White, and Beyond, an annual series of events about race. She was the recipient of the university’s Diversity Service Award in 2015 in recognition of “contributions to diversity and inclusion through exemplary leadership.” She has presented at thirty local, state, regional, national, and international conferences, primarily on diversity and civic engagement. Off campus, she is the president of the Canton Area League of Women Voters and an avid traveler.