Nebraska DEI Impact Awards

Monday, April 10 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Nebraska DEI Impact Awards Ceremony

Register for Ceremony
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Presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Nebraska Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Impact Awards recognize individuals and groups who actively advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in transformative and sustainable ways, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Nominations closed Monday, March 6, 2023

Categories Characteristics of Award Winners Eligibility Nomination Submission Requirements FAQ Diversity Awards Ceremony RSVP

Award Categories

See 2020-2021 Awardees See 2021-2022 Awardees

Diversity Leadership Faculty Award

  • Individual Faculty Member
  • Must be an employee at the time of nomination

Diversity Leadership Staff Award

  • Individual Staff
  • Must be an employee at the time of nomination

Promising Leader Award

  • Undergraduate Student Award and Graduate/Professional Student Award
  • Students must be currently enrolled as UNL undergraduate or graduate students at the time of their nomination

Collective Impact Award

  • Group Award
  • Consists of units & organizations (college, department, student group, faculty/staff organization and committees)

    Diversity Community Impact Award

    The community award is designed for a local (Nebraska) leader who encompasses the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and or social justice through their practices and principles, impacting the community and advancing inclusivity. It is open to individuals and groups.

    Diversity Leadership Alumni Award

    The alumni award is designed for a UNL graduate who encompasses the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice through their practices and principles. This could be through a profession, engagement with UNL, or civic engagement. It is open to all UNL graduates.

    Individuals are eligible for an award every four years.

    Characteristics of Award Winners

    Individuals or groups must have demonstrated a significant contribution toward creating a diverse and inclusive UNL community through the implementation of policies, research, procedures, initiatives and/or programs reflective of our Core Values & Beliefs.

      This should be reflected in one or more of the following areas:

    • Embedding diversity and inclusiveness into a structural/institutional aspect of UNL (e.g., policy, procedure, tradition, vision statement, curriculum, etc.)
    • Recruitment and retention of an excellent and diverse faculty, staff or student body
    • Demonstrating advocacy for social justice and intercultural awareness
    • Raising and deepening awareness of equity, inclusion and diversity issues, from research, employment and service provision point of view
    • Creating a welcoming and supportive campus climate through efforts such as visibility, communication and education
    • Valuing diversity and promoting cultural competency in transformative ways that impact individual/unit/organization/division/department activities
    • Other areas critical to establishing inclusive excellence at UNL

    Eligibility

    Eligible to receive awards

    • Undergraduate and graduate students
    • Faculty and staff employees
    • Student organizations
    • Campus units (e.g., offices, departments, centers)
    • Academic or administrative programs
     

    Eligible to nominate

    • Current University of Nebraska-Lincoln employees and students. Self-nominations are accepted. Multiple nominations are encouraged.

    Nomination Submission Requirements

    A high-quality nomination packet should provide the selection team with a complete, well-written, and well-organized nomination detailing the work being performed by the nominee and why this work is believed to extend above and beyond what the nominee was hired or appointed to do. The list of items to include is below.

    If you have questions about preparing a nomination packet or would like assistance, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 402-472-0148 or diversity@unl.edu to arrange a consultation.

    Items to Include in a Nomination Packet

    1. The nomination must be submitted electronically via the online Nomination Form.
    2. Submit a typed nomination letter that provides a detailed overview of the work performed and an explanation of how the work exemplifies inclusive excellence. Maximum number of pages is two (2).
    3. A minimum of one letter of support must be included that addresses the awards criteria.
    4. Nominations can also include supporting documentation that demonstrates the exceptional achievement(s) that align with the awards criteria.
      Examples of supporting materials may include: letters or testimonials from service or program recipients; copies of flyers or media coverage about the initiative, event or program; reports and/or data demonstrating the outcome; and other written or multimedia materials documenting the activity. Supporting documents must be included electronically in the nomination form for full consideration.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Who can nominate? Current University of Nebraska-Lincoln employees and students. Self-nominations are accepted.
    Who is eligible for this award? Current UNL staff, faculty and students.
    What are the nomination criteria?

    Individuals or groups must have demonstrated a significant contribution toward creating a diverse and inclusive UNL community through the implementation of policies, research, procedures, initiatives and/or programs reflective of our Core Values & Beliefs.

    This should be reflected in one or more of the following areas:

    • Embedding diversity and inclusiveness into a structural/institutional aspect of the UNL (e.g., policy, procedure, tradition, vision statement, curriculum, etc.)
    • Recruitment and retention of an excellent and diverse faculty, staff or student body
    • Fostering equality of opportunity within our campus community
    • Encouraging diverse perspectives on our campus
    • Creating a welcoming and supportive campus climate through efforts such as visibility, communication and education
    • Other areas critical to establishing inclusive excellence at UNL
    How do I nominate a person, team or organization? Complete the online nomination form . Include a letter of nomination and a minimum of one letter of support.
    What is important to include in my nomination letter?

    Your nomination letter should not exceed more than two pages. Vitaes or resumes may not be submitted in lieu of a nomination letter. Your nomination letter must also provide specific examples to substantiate the nominee’s contribution to one or more of the following criteria:

    • Embedding diversity and inclusiveness into a structural/institutional aspect of the UNL (e.g., policy, procedure, tradition, vision statement, curriculum, etc.)
    • Recruitment and retention of an excellent and diverse faculty, staff or student body
    • Fostering equality of opportunity within our campus community
    • Encouraging diverse perspectives on our campus
    • Creating a welcoming and supportive campus climate through efforts such as visibility, communication and education
    • Other areas critical to establishing inclusive excellence at UNL
    What should I know about letters of support? Letters should not exceed two pages. You must submit at least one letter of support (and maximum two letters). Support letters should include evidence which substantiates the nominee’s contributions to one or more of the criteria listed above.
    Where do I submit my nomination? Use the online submission form. Incomplete nominations will not be considered.
    What are the Nomination Categories?

    There are four categories, and you may nominate candidates in multiple categories.

    1. Diversity Leadership Faculty Award
      • Individual Faculty Member
      • Faculty must be current UNL employees at the time of their nomination.
    2. Inclusive Leadership Staff Award
      • Individual Staff
      • Staff must be current UNL employees at the time of their nomination.
    3. Student Award
      • Individual Undergraduate and Graduate/Professional Student
      • Students must be currently enrolled as UNL undergraduate or graduate students at the time of their nomination.
      • There will be 1 undergraduate student awarded and 1 graduate student awarded.
    4. Collective Impact Award
      • Faculty Teams, Academic Unit/Program, Academic Program, Student Clubs/Organizations, Department Staff, Staff Team, Staff Organization
      • Student clubs or organizations must be currently recognized by the university.
      • Staff teams composed of staff who are in the same unit or across units.
      • Faculty teams consist of interdisciplinary faculty teams or teams composed of faculty who are not within the same unit or organization
      • Academic units may be colleges, departments or other organizational units.
      • Academic programs may be programs housed within larger units
    What is the nomination deadline?  The deadline is Monday, March 6, 2023 

    Diversity Awards

    All award winners will receive special recognition plaques and certificates during the award ceremony.

    Collective Impact Award -$1000 towards service

    Faculty/Staff/Undergraduate/Graduate -$500 each towards service

    Review Committee

    Richard Bischoff

    ASSOCIATE VICE CHANCELLOR
    Office of Vice Pres/Vice Chancellor IANR

    Ritsa Giannakas

    DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR
    ASUN

    Jordan Gonzales

    SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT & SENIOR DIVERSITY OFFICER
    Alumni Association

    Yusong Li

    PROFESSOR/ACTING ASSOCIATE DEAN
    College of Engineering

    Stefanie Pearlman

    INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
    College of Law

    Hannah Ahmad Ridzuan

    Graduate Research Assistant
    Journey for Anti-Racism & Office of Diversity & Inclusion

    Contact us with questions

    diversity@unl.edu