Shirley O'Brien Diversity & Inclusion Awards

About

The Division of Agriculture, Life and Veterinary Sciences and Cooperative Extension (ALVSCE) values diversity in its people and programs and strives to foster a diverse, inclusive, fair, and respectful community.  The Shirley O'Brien Diversity & Inclusion Awards were created in honor of Shirley O'Brien for her exemplary work in promoting diversity and an inclusive environment within ALVSCE and across campus.  We believe that her efforts, in keeping with the division's emphasis on diversity and inclusion in its student body, faculty, and programs, deserve recognition.

          Legacy Diversity and Inclusion Champion

            This award is for an individual that has demonstrated exemplary leadership for 5 or more years based on the criteria listed below.

          Emerging Diversity and Inclusion Champion

            This award is for an individual that has shown exemplary leadership by initiating a new program or effort in the past 4 years or less based on the criteria below.

The awards are given annually at the Fall ALVSCE Luncheon and include a plaque and monetary gift of $1000 each.  We encourage members of the faculty, staff, and student body to nominate individuals who have contributed significantly to the advancement of diversity and inclusion within the division.  Please think broadly about the terms diversity and inclusion

Eligibility

• All* current faculty and staff in ALVSCE are eligible for nomination and can be nominated by any administrative head, faculty member, staff member, student or student organization
• Individuals or teams can be nominated for the two award categories

*Previous diversity and inclusion award winners are not eligible

Selection Procedure and Criteria

All members of the ALVSCE DEI Council will screen applications for the criteria listed below.  Members who are a nominee or a nominator for the awards will be recused from the selection process.  The nominee should excel through exceptional efforts beyond their normal position duties in one or more of the areas listed below:

• Recruit and retain graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and/or staff from underrepresented groups (as defined on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and sexual orientation).
• Promote an environment free from bias and discrimination.
• Empower people from underrepresented groups in obtaining access to leadership training and/or professional development.
• Promote a fair, diverse, and inclusive university community that respects the rights of all its members and encourages diverse perspectives.
• Develop and implement a curriculum or program that promotes diversity and inclusion in ALVSCE and/or the university community.

How to Submit Nominations

Please have the following information and documents prepared:

•  Nomination Letter (Two page maximum, PDF)
  • Letters should give specific examples of how the nominee contributed to the areas listed in the selection criteria being considered (one or more areas from the selection criteria list).
• Up to two additional letters of support (Two page maximum per letter, PDF)
  • Support letters can be from colleagues, supervisors, students, a team, collaborators, or community supporters.
  • Letters should give specific examples of how the nominee contributed to the areas listed in the selection criteria being considered (one or more areas from the selection criteria list).
• Please Note: Nomination and support letters may be shared with the nominee

Please complete the Qualtrics Nomination Form to complete your nomination.

Deadline for Nominations

Calls for nominations for both award categories will be solicited once a year and are due on April 24 or the following business day.

For questions, contact Angela Kaczowka, Council member, ALVSCE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, E-mail: akaczowka@arizona.edu.