Purpose

The Diversity Equity and Inclusion Staff Champion award was established to honor staff members who are champions of diversity and celebrate their efforts to help support the School of Public Health’s commitment to be a powerful advocate for equity and justice in our school, on our campus, in higher education, and in communities across the country.

The Award

The recipient’s achievements will be commemorated with a plaque, a permanent display in the school’s administrative offices, and a cash award of $1,500. The award will be presented at the annual School of Public Health Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration.

Eligibility

Nominees must have at least one year of P&A, Civil Service, or Labor Represented employment in the School of Public Health at the time of nomination. Previous winners of this award are not eligible for a second award. 

Principal Nominator

To nominate someone for this award, you must be a member of the School of Public Health faculty, staff, or student body.

Evaluation Criteria

Nominees will demonstrate leadership in moving diversity, equity and inclusion principles and practices forward within the School of Public Health. This may include, but is not limited to: 

• Exemplary leadership in, or commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our community with clear positive impacts in these areas as a result of these efforts
• Brought to light and communicated inequities, discrimination and exclusionary practices/policies/matters AND worked to solve these problems in new and creative ways
• Engaged in sustained practices of cultural change such as adding new critical voices to enhance the school’s inclusiveness or otherwise serving as a powerful advocate for equity and justice

Nomination Process

Annual awards nominations for the 2024-2025 academic year should be submitted through the online nomination form. The submission deadline is April 4, 2025.

Nominations must include the following documentation:

• A letter of nomination that is no more than two pages that should include a brief description of the nominee’s work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. This work does not need to be a formal part of their job.
• Up to three letters of support from peers, colleagues, supervisors, administrators, students, alumni or other University of Minnesota community members who have firsthand knowledge of the nominee’s experience. 
  • The letters should provide evidence of the qualities described in the above criteria and should detail the areas in which the nominee’s performance has been outstanding, and describe specifically how the nominee has demonstrated the initiative in the role of a DEI Champion.
  • From 2021 onward, no letters of support beyond the letter of nomination are required. Any additional letters of support you wish to submit are optional.

To facilitate evaluation, please have one person act as the primary nominator, compiling all of the letters of support and other material prior to submitting online for the review committee. 

Excerpts from award recipients’ nomination letters may be read at the awards ceremony. Following the ceremony, the winner will receive a complete copy of the nomination submission.

Previous Recipients