Purpose
The Faculty Award for Inclusive Excellence recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates outstanding and consistent commitment to inclusive excellence and fostering a climate of inclusion and belonging for all students, faculty, and staff across campus. The nominee may provide vision and leadership for fair and accessible policies and practices, promote innovative programs that support the needs of our campus community and especially at promise or underrepresented groups, demonstrate innovative inclusive teaching and mentoring practices, and/or expand our campus community understanding of diversity, access, inclusion, and belonging through service or scholarship. The award provides a $1,000 cash prize and a certificate/plaque to one faculty member annually.
Award criteria
Nomination materials should provide evidence of at least two of the following criteria:
- Teaching/Librarianship embodying inclusive excellence and innovation, creating a positive experience for all students.
- Research in the nominee’s discipline that advances understanding of inclusive excellence and issues of diversity, access, inclusion, and belonging in higher education.
- Service, advocacy, and collaboration to foster diversity, access, inclusion, and belonging within the institution.
- Advising, mentorship, sponsorship or facilitation that supports the success of at promise and students, faculty, or staff from underrepresented groups.
- Development of curriculum, campus programming or professional learning experiences that promote diversity, access, inclusion, and belonging.
Eligibility
- UNK full-time faculty member of any rank.
- Must be an employee at the time of nomination and awarding.
- Previous awardees are ineligible for a period of 3 years following their award.
Nomination Process
- The nominator provides the nomination form complete with all signatures to the nominee. Any current UNK student, staff or faculty member can submit a nomination. Self-nominations are welcomed.
- Nominee prepares and submits the following documents:
- A current CV.
- Cover letter addressing the award criteria. (750 words)
- Two letters of support addressing the award criteria. One letter must be from a Department Chair, Dean/Associate Dean or Director, if the nominator is not one of the above. (each 750 words)
- Three files of supporting evidence, such as articles, images, recordings, flyers, illustrating activities described in the nomination materials.
- All materials shall be submitted within the nomination period as a complete package via the Qualtrics form provided by the Office of Inclusive Excellence.
Submission Deadline
- The completed application for this award must be submitted by May 3rd, 2024.
- The selection committee includes the Chief Diversity Officer, Academic Diversity Officers from all colleges, and a Faculty Senate representative. The committee may also include a community member, a previous awardee, and SVCAA. The committee may also, upon review of an application, request additional supporting materials from the nominee or from his/her nominator.
Award Presentation
- The Inclusive Excellence Staff Award will be presented at the Fall Convocation.
Purpose
The Staff Award for Inclusive Excellence recognizes a UNK staff member who demonstrates outstanding and consistent commitment to inclusive excellence and fostering a climate of inclusion and belonging for all students, faculty, and staff across campus. The nominee may provide vision and leadership for fair and accessible policies and practices, promote innovative programs that support the needs of our campus community and at promise students, and strive to create and sustain an inclusive campus environment that supports inclusion and belonging. The award provides a $1000 cash prize and a certificate/plaque to one staff member annually.
Award Criteria
- Introduces, plans, or advances policies and practices that promote inclusion and belonging.
- Proposes, develops, or expands initiatives or programs to support at promise and underserved students, faculty, and staff.
- Actively fosters an inclusive campus environment.
- Exhibits an attitude and conduct that values and nurtures belonging for all individuals.
Eligibility
- Nominees are to be administrative, managerial/professional, office or service staff of the University of Nebraska at Kearney who currently hold at least a .50 FTE regular approved position and have worked for the University for at least two years.
- Staff members may be nominated for the staff award by any individual or group.
Application Process - Nominator
- Provide the nominee with the nomination form complete with all signatures.
- Identify the selection criteria met by the nominee.
- Provide the nominee with a written statement, not exceeding two pages, describing the observable ways in which they met the selected criteria.
Application Process - Nominee
- Agree or give permission to be nominated for the award.
- Submit a written statement not exceeding two pages, describing the observable ways in which you as the nominee have met selection criteria.
- Submit the completed nomination packet including the nomination form, nominee written statement and other required documents within the nomination period to the Office of Inclusive Excellence via the nomination form.
- Submit supporting evidence, such as articles, images, recordings, flyers, illustrating your commitment and contribution to inclusive excellence. (optional)
Submission Deadline
- The completed application for the inaugural presentation of this award will be May 3rd, 2024.
- Selection committee members include the Chief Diversity Officer, Academic Diversity Officers from all colleges, and a Faculty Senate representative. The committee may also include a community member, a previous awardee, and SVCAA.
Award Presentation
The Inclusive Excellence Staff Award will be presented at the Fall Convocation.
