This award recognizes outstanding contributions to diversity and inclusiveness in scholarship, teaching, and community engagement (on campus or in the broader community).

Criteria

Candidates’ contributions to diversity and inclusiveness will be judged based on their contributions to teaching, scholarship, and community engagement. Candidates need not demonstrate a contribution in all areas, but the strong candidates will have a significant record of sustained contributions to diversity and inclusiveness in either teaching or scholarship and in community engagement (on campus or in the broader community).

Campus Definitions

Diversity: Diversity of people and ideas represents, among other things, differences in ethnicity, race, gender, age, class, sexual orientation, abilities, religious and spiritual values, political viewpoints, veteran status, and gender identity and expression. Historically, certain social groups have been excluded and marginalized within public higher education, creating legacies of advantage and disadvantage. The principle of diversity advocates a university that is inclusive of all, while overcoming the legacies of exclusion and marginalization.

Inclusiveness: Inclusiveness is the commitment to create an environment that supports, represents, and embraces members of diverse social groups and diverse social identities. Inclusiveness enriches the campus community for students, faculty, staff, administrators, and members of the broader community by engaging people from diverse personal and experiential backgrounds, by cultivating a campus culture where all members feel that they belong, and by fostering engagement with divergent perspectives that reflect the wide range of understanding and knowledge necessary for a vibrant democratic world.

Candidates are required to:

1. Be full-time faculty members of UCCS with a rank of Assistant Professor or above, or full-time instructors
2. Be in at least their third year at UCCS
3. Have not received the award previously

Nomination Process

Anyone may nominate the candidate; self nominations are also accepted. The nomination dossier should include:

1. A letter of nomination (by the nominator)
2. A narrative (three-page maximum) written by the nominee about his or her record of sustained contributions to diversity and inclusiveness in either teaching or scholarship and in community engagement
3. The candidate's curriculum vitae
4. A minimum of three (maximum five) letters of recommendation. These letters may be solicited from faculty, colleagues, administrators, students, or members of the community. One letter must be from the candidate’s dean. Among other attributes of the candidate, these letters should address the candidate’s record of sustained contributions to diversity and inclusiveness in either teaching or scholarship and in community engagement.
5. Supporting materials (assembled by the nominee) may also be provided: Supporting materials will vary depending on the case being made for each candidate. Relevant supporting materials for teaching may include letters based on classroom visits, letters from students, syllabi, FCQs (only the last three years of FCQs should be included), etc. Relevant supporting materials for research/creative work may include external letters from colleagues, published books or articles, photos or videos of exhibits or performances, citations of the candidate's work, etc. Relevant supporting materials for community engagement may include letters of support and other evidence of community engagement.

Letters and all supporting materials should be put together as a package and delivered to Kee Warner, Associate Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusiveness, Main Hall 304B. (See also Tips for Preparing Award Nominations.)

Nomination Deadline

March 15, 2013

Award

The winner of the Faculty Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusiveness will receive a check for $1,000 (less taxes). The award will be presented at the Campus Awards Ceremony in May.

Funding

Funding for the Faculty Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusiveness is provided by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusiveness and the Faculty Minority Affairs Committee.

Questions? Contact: Kee Warner (x3203), Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusiveness