Starting Date: December 2024 

Application Deadline: July 1- Sept. 10 

Category of the awards: Two separate awards 

  1. Recognize an academic department (Two awards per year, level 1: Gold, and level 2: Silver). 
  2. Recognize a college (one award per year) 

Prize 

The award will be presented at the faculty symposium. The winning departments and colleges are expected to give a three- to five-minute speech to highlight their achievements. The awardees will receive engraved plaque. 

Selection Committee

To be selected from: (OFER representative, Administration representative (2 members), faculty representative (2) and an external evaluator. 

Description: The Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Award is a prestigious recognition presented to academic departments and colleges that have demonstrated exceptional commitment, leadership, and innovation in advancing DEI initiatives within their institution. This award celebrates and honors departments and colleges that made significant and lasting contributions to creating a more inclusive and equitable educational environment, fostering diversity of thought and experience, and ensuring that all students, faculty, and staff feel valued and represented. This award acknowledges the outstanding work of academic departments and colleges that have gone above and beyond to promote DEI in the following areas: 

  • Recruitment and Retention: They have excelled in recruiting and retaining a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff, providing support, mentorship, and resources to underrepresented groups. 
  • Cultural Competency: Awardees have actively engaged in cultural competency training and initiatives, creating a more inclusive and respectful atmosphere within their departments or colleges. 
  • Community Engagement: They have extended their DEIB efforts beyond the campus boundaries, partnering with local communities and organizations to promote social justice and equity. 
  • Research and Scholarship: These departments and colleges have produced research and scholarship that significantly contributes to our understanding of DEI-related issues and addresses critical societal challenges. 
  • Curriculum Development: Recipients of this award have developed inclusive and diverse curricula that incorporate diverse perspectives, histories, and experiences, ensuring that students are exposed to a broad range of voices and ideas. 
  • Leadership and Advocacy: The recipient Departments and colleges have demonstrated exceptional leadership in advocating for DEIB at the institutional, regional, and national levels. 

The Excellence in DEIB Award seeks to inspire and encourage other academic units to follow in the footsteps of these exceptional departments and colleges, fostering a culture of inclusion, equity, and justice throughout academia. The recipients of this award serve as role models, showcasing the profound impact that commitment to DEIB can have on the entire educational community. 

These awards not only recognize the outstanding work already accomplished but also act as a catalyst for further progress in the realm of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. By bestowing this honor upon deserving departments and colleges, we aim to celebrate their achievements, inspire others to follow suit, and ultimately contribute to a more just and equitable educational landscape. 

The awards will be given away by the UML leadership during the annual faculty symposium.