The Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award

$500 - Up To Two Recipients

Nomination deadline January 17, 2025.

Updated as of Nov 2024

AWARD & RECOGNITION

A $500 monetary award for up to two recipients
Professional certificate and trophy for the award winners
Recognized at an award ceremony in March 2025
Photographed and recognized on VCU Staff Senate web page

OVERVIEW

Diversity and Inclusion are essential to the mission of VCU and VCU Health. The VCU Staff Senate Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award honors a staff member who promotes diversity and inclusion at VCU and VCU Health. The nominee should demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion through their actions, and/or create environments where all individuals and groups are welcomed, valued, and supported. The nominate should embrace the diverse communities we serve, represent the spirit of diversity, demonstrate an awareness of the diverse identities at VCU and VCU Health, and improve opportunities for individuals who have been marginalized. Examples of such behaviors include (but are not limited to) providing support or outreach to individuals from diverse backgrounds, organizing or supporting program/s and initiatives that target diversity, embracing and appreciating cultural differences, and using innovative approaches to increase appreciation for diversity and inclusion. Definitions of diversity and inclusion are below:

Diversity: The representation of various social identity groups based on particular characteristics—e.g., culture, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion and spirituality, disability status, age, national origin, immigration status, and language.

Inclusion: An environment that provides affirmation, celebration, and appreciation of different perspectives, identities, and experiences, thus allowing all individuals to bring in and express their whole and true selves, enabling them to show their strengths and capacity.

ELIGIBILITY

Nominees must be non-probationary salaried staff member of VCU or VCU Health in good standing.
Nominees whose principal job at VCU involves diversity and/or inclusion work are not eligible.

PROCESS

The VCU Staff Senate Awards & Recognition Committee will review nominations and determine all winners. Please use the online nomination form to submit the required information and materials.

There are character count limitations. It is recommended that you type the responses to the questions below in a word document so you can track the character count, then copy and paste each response into the nomination form.

NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS

In the nomination form, you will be asked how your nominee has addressed the criteria below:

- How has the nominee raised awareness about a need, problem, or opportunity regarding issues of diversity and inclusion on campus? (min 500 characters with spaces to max 2000 characters with spaces)
- How has the nominee inspired others with their vision and advocacy for initiatives to ensure that all members of the VCU community feel welcome, engaged, and empowered? (min 500 characters with spaces to max 2000 characters with spaces)
- Please provide additional comments about the nominee that are not covered in the previous questions. (optional, max 1200 characters with spaces)

Nominations for this award requires one additional letter of recommendation from someone other than the nominator. This letter can include outstanding comments or other testiments from the nominee's co-workers, supervisor, manager, or individual students or faculty members in support of your nomination. Recommended length is a minimum of one page and a maximum of two pages single spaced 12 point font. You will be asked to upload this letter (.pdf or word document) in the nomination form.

PLEASE NOTE

If you have any questions, please email us at staffsenate@vcu.edu with the subject line "Staff Senate Award Question," and we will respond as soon as possible.

Thank you.