Nominations for diversity award due May 15

[ Editor's note: The due date on nominations for this award has changed. The new date is May 15. ]

Each year at fall convocation, Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard presents the Diversity Achievement Award to recognize an individual or office whose distinguished efforts have enhanced diversity and multicultural understanding at Western.

Nominations of individuals and/or offices are now being accepted for the 2015 award. The deadline is May 15.

"I think it's an honor and a recognition to be nominated for this award," said Sue Guenter-Schlesigner, vice provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity at Western. "It's hard work, being out there and supporting issues of equity, diversity and inclusion. Those people on the ground level are putting a lot of time, effort and energy into these issues, and I'd like to see many more nominations."

Nine people have been nominated for the award in each of the past two years, she said.

The Diversity Achievement Award is given to an individual (faculty, staff or student) or office who demonstrates outstanding research, programming, leadership, service to students or the general campus community, and/or teaching related to matters of diversity and inclusion.

Nominees should meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Integrates diversity concepts and values into academic curriculum, management and/or operational functions;
• Develops methods for increasing and valuing diversity among students, faculty, and/or staff;
• Maximizes opportunities to achieve diversity;
• Contributes to promoting an understanding and appreciation of differences by contributing to the body of research on diversity or through other endeavors.

To make a nomination, please submit a letter (not to exceed three pages) addressing one or more of the criteria listed above to: Equal Opportunity Office, MS-9021, Old Main 345 or email eoo@wwu.edu.