About the Awards

Each year the University recognizes people and groups that have given their time and effort to advance diversity, equity and inclusion at Carolina and in our surrounding community. As has always been the case, this work is vital as we build our community together.

There are six categories for which nominations are accepted. This year, one award will be given out for each. The categories are as follows:

• Undergraduate Student
• Graduate Student/Professional Student/Post Doc
• Staff
• Faculty
• Alumni
• Intergroup Collaboration (an effort by units/groups/programs to bring together multiple perspectives to address a critical issue of diversity, equity and/or inclusion at Carolina or in the community)

2022 Winners

Alumni

• Christopher Riddick, EdD (’00, BA; ’07, MPA), Head of Client Experience, ReadySet

Staff (TIE)

• Kim Allen, PhD, Director, Kenan Scholars, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Kenan-Flagler Business School
• Trinnette Cooper, MPH, Manager, Inclusive Excellence & Outreach, Gillings School of Global Public Health

Faculty (TIE)

• Trenette Goings, PhD, MSW, Sandra Reeves Spears & John B. Turner Distinguished Professor, School of Social Work
• Michal Osterweil, PhD, MA, Teaching Associate Professor, Global Studies

Graduate/Professional Student/Post Doc

• Tayliz Rodriguez, Graduate Student, Department of Chemistry, College of Arts & Sciences

Undergraduate Student

• Grace Stevens (Senior, Mount Holly, NC), a Business Administration major/Environmental Science and Studies minor

Intergroup Collaboration

• Chancellor’s Science Scholars

Check here for more detailed information about our winners

Nomination Criterion

Nominations should reflect the ways a nominee has met at least one of the following criteria. Please note that awardees are eligible once every four years (though if an individual wins as part of an intergroup collaboration, they are still eligible for an individual award in another category in the future and will then be subject to winning only every four years).

• Served as an outstanding advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion at the interpersonal, unit and/or institutional level;
• Demonstrated a sustained commitment to the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion at UNC-Chapel Hill and/or in the community through research, teaching, service and/or collaborative partnerships;
• Demonstrated a commitment to creating a culture of inclusion within their areas of influence and modeled respect or inclusive treatment when interacting with others; and/or
• Implemented an initiative, project and/or program that cultivates/advances/models diversity, equity and inclusion at Carolina or within the community.

Nominations are accepted in January and February of each year. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Deliberation Process

The award selection committee, comprised of faculty, staff and students, will engage in a review of applications and apply a broad definition of diversity and inclusion for the selection of finalists in each category. Award winners are notified in March each year.

For further information, please contact UODI at diversity.@unc.edu.

Ceremony

The Diversity Awards ceremony is traditionally held in April each year. Due to COVID 19 closures, the event has been honored virtually for the last two years.

For further information, please contact the University Office for Diversity & Inclusion at diversity@unc.edu.

Past Awards

Learn about the past Diversity Awards here:

2022 Diversity Awards Selection Committee