NADOHE Inclusive Excellence Awards
The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) is seeking nominations for the 2025 Inclusive Excellence Awards. Access the form here.
The awards recognize and honor individuals and/or institutions for exemplary achievements and contributions to lead higher education towards inclusive excellence and institutional transformation through the study of diversity by means of research, leadership, or service. As the preeminent voice for Chief and Senior Diversity Officers and practitioners, NADOHE is delighted to offer these unprecedented opportunities to acknowledge and reward innovation in inclusive excellence. NADOHE's goal is to encourage fellow professional individuals and institutions to implement comprehensive policies, practices, and initiatives designed to achieve inclusive excellence, and increase the profile of innovative inclusive excellence practices within colleges and universities.
"During a time of exceptional challenges to inclusive excellence work, it will be especially meaningful to honor and recognize our colleagues who are forging ahead and advancing these efforts that support all students, faculty, staff, and the broader society" said Paulette Granberry Russell, President and CEO of NADOHE. "I look forward to many nominations of individuals, institutions, and organizations doing incredible work in an extraordinarily difficult climate."
Award recipients will be recognized during the 2025 NADOHE Annual Conference.
Award categories for 2025 are as follows:
- Dr. Frank W. Hale, Jr. Distinguished Service Award
- Institutional Excellence Award
- Individual Leadership Award
- Rising Star Award
- Outstanding Dissertation Award
- Higher Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Award
- Corporate Excellence Award
- Community-Based Non-Profit Organization Award
The Dr. Frank W. Hale, Jr. Distinguished Service Award will be awarded to an individual who is distinguished in higher education, through a robust record of consistent service, for inclusive excellence; exercising innovative and courageous leadership; serving as a visionary in the field; and exemplifying the philosophy, principles, and practices of NADOHE; and contributing substantially to diversity and inclusive excellence in higher education. This award was named in memory of Dr. Frank W. Hale, former vice provost for minority affairs and professor at The Ohio State University. Dr. Hale, Jr., is remembered as a tireless crusader, of 54 years, for diversity in higher education and leaves behind a distinguished legacy in higher education. Membership in NADOHE is not required. Submission requirements include that in no more than 1,000 words, please explain why the nominee is deserving of the recognition for the designated award, including the specific criteria associated with the award category (as outlined in the award description). *
The Institutional Excellence Award in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion recognizes and honors a college or university that has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across their campus. This prestigious award celebrates not individual efforts, but the collective institutional achievements that create a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse community. We commend these institutions for their exemplary leadership in integrating DEI into their campus culture, policies, and practices, contributing profoundly to the betterment of the academic environment and society at large.
There are now FOUR categories for this award, however, an institution is only allowed to be nominated in a single category:
- Two-Year (Associate Degree Granting Institution)
- Four-Year Public (Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral Degree Granting Institution)
- Four-Year Private (Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral Degree Granting Institution)
- Professional Degree Granting Institution (Legal, Medical, Dental, etc.)
The nominated institution is required to be a current member in good standing of NADOHE. Submission requirements include that in no more than 1,000 words, the statement explains why the nominee is deserving of the recognition for the designated award, including the specific criteria associated with the award category (as outlined in the award description). *
The Individual Leadership Award will be presented to a NADOHE member for outstanding contributions to research, administration, practice, advocacy and/or policy, and whose work informs and advances the understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence in higher education for a minimum of ten years. The nominee is required to be a current member in good standing of NADOHE. Submission requirements include that in no more than 1,000 words, please explain why the nominee is deserving of the recognition for the designated award, including the specific criteria associated with the award category (as outlined in the award description). *
The Rising Star Award will be presented to a NADOHE member in good standing who has served as a Chief or Senior Diversity Officer for at least three years, but no more than ten total years at a higher educational institution. A nomination statement, limited to 1,000 words, must describe why the early career Chief or Senior Diversity Officer nominee is deserving of this award. The statement should identify how the nominee’s exceptional contributions to research, administration, practice, advocacy and/or policy informs and advances the understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence in higher education.*
The Outstanding Dissertation Award will recognize a completed dissertation, either quantitative or qualitative, that has contributed substantially to the literature and to the field of diversity and inclusion in higher education. The dissertation should serve as an exemplary model of research that not only informs, but also elevate the discourse. Research may include but is not limited to, campus diversity initiatives, curricular transformation, the impact of professional development, roles and responsibilities for chief diversity officers, influence of technology on diversity/equity, funding, and local and national policies and practices. A $500 monetary award will be granted to the recipient as well. Nominations for the outstanding dissertation award will entail a process, which includes a review of an abstract with an explanation about how the dissertation fits the award criteria, along with three letters of support (including the dissertation chair), followed by inviting finalists to submit a completed copy of the dissertation. Letters of support can be up to 1,000 words. The abstract should be approximately 300 words.* Selected nominees will be invited to submit their dissertations electronically. Membership in NADOHE is not required.
The Higher Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Award will be presented to a non-Chief or Senior Diversity Officer member of NADOHE who has worked at a higher education institution or affiliated organization for a minimum of ten years. A nomination statement, limited to 1,000 words, must describe how the nominee’s experience and professional achievements have significantly contributed to the field of diversity equity, and inclusion in higher education. The nominated individual should be affiliated with a NADOHE member institution or be an individual member of NADOHE.
The Corporate Excellence Award will recognize a company that demonstrates exceptional commitment to inclusive excellence including a demonstrated record of support and collaboration with higher education institutions or affiliated organizations. A nomination statement, limited to 1,000 words, should identify how the organization’s practices, policies, and initiatives promote an inclusive brand and workplace culture, as well as a corporate social responsibility. NADOHE membership is not required for this award.
The Community-Based Non-Profit Organization Award recognizes the results of community and social impact in the same city as the annual conference during the year the award is presented. In 2025, this will be in Chicago, Illinois. This award will be given to an organization that actively promotes civil rights and social justice at the local, regional, or national level. A nomination statement limited to 1,000 words should highlight why the nominee is deserving of the recognition for the designated award. This award includes a $1,000 contribution to the organization. NADOHE membership is not required for this award.
Eligibility for Nomination and Awards
NADOHE membership is required for the Institutional Excellence, Individual Leadership, and Rising Star Awards. Unless otherwise indicated, all awards are open to institutions/individuals based in the U.S. as well as globally.
Current NADOHE Board members and their institutions are not eligible for nomination. Former Board members are eligible for consideration two years after vacating their term on the Board. Institutional and individual award recipients within the last two years are ineligible to apply for 2025 awards.
*Failure to submit all required documentation and/or documentation exceeding the requirements will result in nominations being excluded for consideration.