Nebraska DEI Impact Awards

Nebraska DEI Impact Awards Ceremony

The 2024 Nebraska DEI Impact Award Ceremony will be held in the Fall

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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 opening soon

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

Award Categories

See 2020-2021 Awardees See 2021-2022 Awardees See 2022-2023 Awardees

Diversity Leadership Faculty Award

  • Individual Faculty Member
  • Faculty must be current UNL employee at the time of their nomination

Diversity Leadership Staff Award

  • Individual Staff
  • Staff must be current UNL employee at the time of their nomination

Promising Leader Award

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

Collective Impact Award

  • Faculty Teams, Academic Unit/Program, Academic Program, Student Clubs/Organizations, Department Staff, Staff Team, Staff Organization
  • Students clubs or organization must be currently recognized by the university
  • Staff teams composed of staff who are in the same unity or across unit
  • 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 program housed within larger units Student Awards
    • 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

    Diversity Community Impact Award

    • Individuals residing in the state of Nebraska
    • DEI impact affilation with a stakeholder (faculty, staff, student, college, department, organization, etc.) of UNL

    Diversity Leadership Alumni Award

    • Graduate of UNL

    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.) and or beyond
    • 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 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/community activities
    • Other areas critical to establishing inclusive excellence at UNL and or community

    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
    • UNL graduate
    • Local (NE) community member with UNL DEI impact affiliation 
     

    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, students, and alums. Self-nominations are accepted. Community nominations must have an affiliation (such as partnership/collaboration) with UNL entitity.
    Who is eligible for this award? Current UNL staff, faculty, students, graduates, community members with impact affiliation with UNL.
    What are the nomination criteria?

    Individuals or groups must have demonstrated a significant contribution toward creating a diverse and inclusive UNL community and or broader through the implementation of policies, research, procedures, practices, 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.) and or beyond
    • Recruitment and retention of an excellent and diverse faculty, staff or student body
    • Fostering equality of opportunity within our campus and or 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 and or community
    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. If nominating for the Community Impact Award, ensure impact affiliation (ex: individual's DEI impact) with UNL. 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 six 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 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.
      5. Diversity Cmmunity Impact Award
        • Individuals residing in the state of Nebraska
        • DEI impact affiliation with a stakeholder (faculty, staff, student, college department, organization, etc.) of UNL
      6. Diversity Leadership Alumni Award
        • Graduate of UNL
    What is the nomination deadline?  The deadline is Monday, March 4, 2024 

    Diversity Awards

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

    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