Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards

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Awards and Award Categories

There are two award categories as part of the EDEIA process.  

1. Lifetime Contributions to DEI at MSU recognizes long-term, exemplary efforts made during a nominee’s time at Michigan State University toward advancing diversity equity, and inclusion in enduring ways that have enhanced the institution’s policies, work, climate and/or organization. Packets in this category must demonstrate that nominees have collaborated with others at the university and/or external communities to build and support the work. One Lifetime Achievement award may be given each year.
2. Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion recognizes emerging and/or sustained efforts made toward diversity, equity and inclusion in the thematic categories listed below. Nominations should address one or more of these themes. Multiple awards are given out each year across all categories to individuals, teams, organizations and units. Themes for nominations are: 
   1. Advancing Knowledge and Scholarly Engagement – recognizes domestic and/or global research and scholarship that broadens understanding and appreciation of diversity, equity and inclusion. Whether a rigorous research project or equally rigorous creative expression—in print, film and video, music, art or digital presentation, exhibit or website—the quality and extent of perspectives and discourses are advanced by nominees making such contributions. 
   2. Fostering Engagement, Collaboration(s) and Partnerships(s) – recognizes nominees’ efforts to connect with domestic and/or global partners to catalyze change and create a more diverse, equitable and/or inclusive society. Emphasis for the work should highlight on-going, reciprocal interaction between the nominee and an internal or external partner who collaborate to address community needs in ethical and culturally appropriate ways. 
   3. Advocating Justice and Equity – recognizes nominees’ work to actively redress unjust barriers; challenge discrimination or bias; and/or address lack of access and resources as related to historic and contemporary injustices in institutional, local, national and/or global contexts. Emphasis for the work should feature on-going work promote social justice and address equity issues. 
   4. Promoting Learning and Educating for Inclusivity – recognizes nominees’ efforts to promote and educate internal and external communities about domestic and/or global issues of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion through communication, non-formal education, curriculum design, advising and teaching. Emphasis for the work should be on the design and implementation of educationally based efforts to enhance awareness, acceptance and action as related to DEI.  
   5. Creating Transformative Organizational Change – recognizes nominees’ efforts to promote changing structures and cultures within MSU to create an environment in which diversity, equity and inclusion can grow and thrive. Emphasis for the work could be either large-scale change or incremental action towards more just and equitable place for community members to live, work and learn. 

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EDEIA Awardees

Recipients of the EDEIA will be honored in the following ways:

• A special one-hour award ceremony will be held in February.
• The ceremony will be open and free to the public and will feature a special video produced by University Communications that highlights winners.
• The program will begin with a welcome by co-MCs from the EDEIA selection team, followed with congratulatory remarks by the President and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.
• Light refreshments will be served.

Recipients will receive the appropriate award for their categories at the ceremony:

• Up to 6 cash awards in the amount of $1,000 (pre-tax) can be issued to individuals and teams in categories other than Lifetime Achievement.
• Winners of Lifetime Achievement awards, along with unit and organizational awardees will receive custom-designed plaques.