Presidential Inclusive Excellence Awards
History
Established in 2013, and led by the six Presidential Commissions on Diversity, these awards honor faculty, staff and students of Kennesaw State University (KSU) whose actions, activities, and/or accomplishments in diversity support the pursuit of excellence towards making KSU a more inclusive and welcoming university.
Criteria and Nominations
NOMINATE HEREAnnually, the six Presidential Commissions on Diversity seek nominations of individuals at KSU whose accomplishments are aligned with the charge of one (or more) of the commissions. Each commission has its own award criteria that a prospective nominee should meet. This criteria also serves as a guideline in the selection of the award recipient(s).
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Disability Strategies and Resources: Carol J. Pope Award for Distinction
The Carol J. Pope Award for Distinction recognizes outstanding efforts of an individual toward creating an inclusive, accessible, respectful, and safe climate for all students, faculty, and staff with disabilities at Kennesaw State University (KSU).
Nominees should have exhibited longtime leadership and/or advocacy in raising awareness at KSU regarding issues on disabilities. Their contributions should demonstrate a substantial impact on and/or within the KSU community. Examples of such efforts might include, but should not be limited to, the following:
- Advocating for or on behalf of individuals or groups for disability-related issues.
- Creating projects and events that promote greater awareness.
- Designing activities and programs that educate the campus community and foster mutual respect for and among all students, faculty, and staff.
Current faculty, staff, and students of KSU, who meet the above criteria, are eligible for nomination.
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Gender and Work Life Issues: Outstanding Contribution Award
The Outstanding Contribution Award recognizes outstanding efforts of an individual toward creating an inclusive climate that encourages increased gender and work life equity and success at Kennesaw State University (KSU).
Nominees must have demonstrated a sustained and tangible impact on the campus community. Such efforts might include, for example:
- A record of promoting an inclusive campus environment through the adoption of policies, procedures, and/or curricula that are guided by the principles of diversity, equity, transparency, and shared governance.
- Promoting activities, programs, projects, and/or training initiatives surrounding gender and work life issues.
- Developing proactive strategies and engaging in activities that promote KSU as a national leader in the higher education community with regard to how it engages with the issues and concerns related to gender and work life.
(Include the length of time this individual has been engaged in the activities listed.)
Current faculty, staff, and students of KSU, who meet the above criteria, are eligible for nomination.
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LGBTQ Initiatives: Teresa M. Joyce Award for Excellence
The Teresa M. Joyce Award for Excellence recognizes a member of the Kennesaw State University (KSU) community who has made outstanding contributions to the university’s effort to create a supportive environment for its LGBTQ members.
In order to be competitive, nominations should address as many of the following areas as possible:
- The nominee’s efforts in ADVOCATING on behalf of the GLBTIQ community.
- The nominee’s accomplishments in EDUCATING the campus community on GLBTIQ issues.
- The nominee’s achievement in LEADING structural change efforts.
- The nominee’s record of INCLUSION.
- The LONGEVITY of the nominee’s commitment and efforts.
An award sub-commission from the Presidential Commission on LGBTQ Initiatives will review the submitted nominations. The full commission will review the top three nominations and select the award recipient.
Current faculty, staff, and students at KSU, who meet the above criteria, are eligible for nomination. (Members of the LGBTQ campus community as well as their allies are eligible to self-nominate.)
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Racial and Ethnic Diversity: R.O.H. Social Justice Award
The Presidential Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity works to shape appropriate plans, mechanisms, forums, and/or events for a continuing dialogue on issues of race and ethnicity at Kennesaw State University (KSU). The R.O.H. Social Justice Award has been named to honor the pioneering contributions toward racial and ethnic social justice by former KSU faculty members: Dr. Rosa Bobia, Dr. Oral Moses, and Dr. Harold Wingfield.
Two awards are offered by the commission; one to an individual faculty or staff member and one to an individual student. These awards are given to recognize and honor individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to improving the KSU community, such as:
- Assisting with developing a vision and/or proactive strategies for addressing sensitive racial concerns that exist on campus.
- Leading a proactive set of conversations, programs and/or training initiatives to guide KSU’s emphasis on race and ethnicity issues and/or concerns.
- Advocating for approaches that contribute to KSU becoming a national leader in the higher education community with regard to how it embarks on racial and ethnic dialogue and/or issues.
- Leading or assisting with activities, actions and/or policies that will lead to an increased understanding and acceptance of diverse viewpoints and perspectives between and among different members and groups of KSU’s diverse community.
Current faculty, staff, and students of KSU, who meet the above criteria, are eligible for nomination.
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Sustainability: R.C. Paul Excellence in Sustainability Award
The R.C. Paul Excellence in Sustainability Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of an individual toward promoting environmental sustainability in the educational and operational practices of the Kennesaw State University (KSU) campus community.
The nominee will have demonstrated consistent leadership in addressing sustainability issues and works to implement sustainable practices on our campus, with tangible results. Examples of such efforts might include, but should not be limited to, the following:
- Designing or coordinating campus sustainability initiatives such as green building projects, commuting alternatives, energy and water conservation measures, farm-to-campus programs, etc.
- Advocating for the inclusion of sustainability perspectives in campus planning and policy making.
- Contributing across the curriculum by promoting sustainability content in courses and academic programs throughout the university.
- Creating projects and events that promote greater awareness of KSU's sustainability efforts (e.g. energy and water conservation, commuting alternatives, farm-to-campus programs).
- Designing informal educational activities and programs to inform students, faculty, and staff about ways to foster sustainable practices at KSU and the communities it serves.
Current faculty, staff, and students of KSU, who meet the above criteria, are eligible for nomination.
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Veterans Affairs: Mattox Award for Excellence in Service and Leadership
The Mattox Award for Excellence in Service and Leadership is designed to commend and recognize an individual whose vital and instrumental contributions support, represent, and make it a personal duty to assist members of Kennesaw State University’s (KSU) veteran community.
Nominees must have taken a comprehensive approach with impeccable character to have a positive influence at KSU with regard to the veteran community. Examples of these actions may include:
- Commendable selfless service, while maintaining a standard of excellence in professionalism when developing camaraderie among campus and community partners.
- Outstanding volunteerism for the veteran community above and beyond established expectations.
- A keen and personal interest in advocating for and representing the veteran community to enact positive outcomes while serving as a leader/affiliate of a veteran service organization.
- Personal contributions that have been emulated by others in recognition of awareness and participation in external veteran related events, programs, and/or activities.
Current faculty, staff, and students of KSU, who meet the above criteria, are eligible for nomination.
Past Recipients
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Disability Strategies and Resources: Carol J. Pope Award for Distinction
2023 Jason Rodenbeck
2022 Mary Margaret Cornwell
2021 Sarah Cox
2020 Tara McMahon
2019 Bonna Lenyszyn
2018 Dr. Joya Carter Hicks
2017 Dr. Ibrahim ElSawy
2016 Ms. Karyn Alme
2015 Ms. Eileen O’Laughlin
2014 Ms. Jordan Cameron
2013 Ms. Jill Sloan
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Gender and Work Life Issues: Outstanding Contribution Award
2023 Dr. Darlene Rodriguez
2021 Dr. Sarah Holliday
2020 Jordyn Alderman
2019 Allan Fowler & Shakira Bell
2018 Dr. Roneisha Worthy
2017 Dr. Cassandra Race
2016 Dr. Nancy Reichert
2015 Dr. Elizabeth Boyd
2014 Dr. Laura Davis
2013 Ms. Flora Lowe-Rockett
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LGBTQ Initiatives: Teresa M. Joyce Award for Excellence
2023 Darian Hailes
2022 Oliva Maley
2021 Dani Alexander
2019 Dawn Baunach
2018 Officer Charles Dicken
2017 Dr. Sarah Holliday
2016 Mr. Robert Sherer
2015 Ms. Jessica Duvall
2014 Dr. Michael Sanseviro
2013 Dr. Teresa Joyce
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Racial and Ethnic Diversity: R.O.H. Social Justice Award
2023 Dr. Sanjuana Rodriguez
2022 Sydney Goode
2021 Dr. Tristan Glenn
2020 Dr. Darlene Rodriguez-Schaefer
2019 Alexa Vaca & Dr. Neysa Figueroa
2018 Dr. Griselda Thomas & Savannah Bronson
2017 Dr. Debarati Sen
2016 Dr. Judy Brown Allen & Ms. Ramona Devonish
2015 Dr. Ernesto Silva & Ms. Tiffany Smith & Mr. Roderick Williams
2014 Dr. Flora Devine & Mr. Yen Rodriguez
2013 Dr. Jesse Benjamin
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Sustainability: R.C. Paul Excellence in Sustainability Award
2023 Dr. Vanessa Slinger-Friedman
2022 Britt Pickering
2021 Seth Moore
2020 Britt Pickering
2019 Pegah Zamani & Lauren Kimsey
2018 Edwin Akins
2017 Ms. Christine Rube
2016 Mr. John Anderson
2015 Ms. Robin Taylor
2014 Ms. Jodie Sweat
2013 Dr. R.C. Paul
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Veterans Affairs: Mattox Award for Excellence in Service and Leadership
2021 Kyle Wilkens
2020 Ryan Griffin
2019 Julian Saviano
2018 Mr. Micheal Redd
2017 Ms. Glenda España
2016 Dr. Bob Mattox
2015 Mr. Percy Ivey & Ms. Dawn Ramsey
2014 Mr. Jonathon Dotson
2013 Mr. Derek Ridings
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DDIE Leadership in Inclusive Excellence: Student Award
2023 Noelle Ford
2022 Jay Powell
2021 Amani Johnson
2020 Revi Woody
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DDIE Leadership in Inclusive Excellence: Student Organization Award
2023 Black Musicians Coalition
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DDIE Leadership in Inclusive Excellence: University College Award
2023 The College of Humanities and Social Science
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DDIE Leadership in Inclusive Excellence: Administrative Office Award
2023 Office of Fiscal Services