Process and Procedures for Nominations for the University Outstanding Department or Unit Award for Creating Opportunity and Access
Purpose:
This award has been established by the provost to recognize those departments or units that have made extraordinary achievements to create opportunity and access within the department, college and/or the university. Units as defined here may include colleges and administrative units and groups.
Award:
One department or unit will be recognized each year during the spring semester. A plaque and $2,500 will be awarded to the department or unit for that year.
Criteria:
Any department or unit within the university may demonstrate its achievements in the area of creating opportunity and access by providing evidence that may include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following:
- Developing innovative programs to create opportunity and access within the unit or university
- Incorporating a clear statement of the importance of opportunity and access in department or unit mission statement
- Actively working to broaden the applicant pool for students, faculty and staff.
- Implementing strategies that demonstrably improve the retention and success rates of all students.
- Providing effective mentoring and advising for each and every student.
- Offering mentorship opportunities for junior faculty and staff to foster their professional growth.
- Developing and implementing learning activities that equip all students to thrive in a diverse and interconnected world.
- Intentionally integrating various academic perspectives, experiences, and scholarly approaches into the curriculum, fostering intellectual pluralism.
- Supporting research and scholarship that address issues of opportunity and access.
- Providing opportunities for professional development that support the advancement of faculty and staff.
- Developing activities that foster meaningful partnerships with minority-serving institutions, visiting scholars and guest lecturers who bring diverse perspectives.
Nomination Process:
Any faculty or staff member, department or unit head, dean or administrator may nominate a department or unit. The nomination must include information on how the department has enhanced opportunity and access. The nomination will be forwarded to a screening committee appointed by the provost. Units that have previously received this award will not be eligible for a subsequent award within a three-year period.
Nomination Form (Microsoft Form) - closed for 2025
Contents of Nomination Packet:
- Letter of nomination from a faculty, staff, department or unit head, dean or vice president describing in detail why the nominee is deserving of the award (maximum of three pages).
- Letters of support (not more than three total) from faculty, graduate or undergraduate students, classified or unclassified staff, administrators or alumni who work extensively with the department or unit.
- Description of the activities within the last calendar year that illustrates the outstanding efforts by the department or unit to create opportunity and access (three-page limit).
Deadline:
- All nomination materials should be sent electronically to the Provost Office before the deadline via the Microsoft Form. The application deadline is March 1.
Recipients of the University Outstanding Department or Unit Award for Creating Opportunity and Access
| Unit/Department | College | Year |
|---|---|---|
| No applicants. | 2025 | |
| Education Abroad Office | Provost and Executive Vice President | 2024 |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging | Carl R. Ice College of Engineering | 2023 |
| Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging | College of Business Administration | 2022 |
| K-State First | Provost and Executive Vice President | 2019 |
| KAWSE (K-State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering) | Provost and Executive Vice President | 2018 |
| Developing Scholars Program | Provost and Executive Vice President | 2017 |
| Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology | Veterinary Medicine | 2016 |
| PILOTS | Vice President for Student Life | 2015 |
| None awarded | 2014 | |
| All | Education | 2013 |
| Women's Studies | Arts & Sciences | 2012 |
| Leadership Studies | Provost and Executive Vice President | 2011 |
| None Awarded | 2010 | |
| A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications | Arts & Sciences | 2009 |
| English | Arts & Sciences | 2008 |
| Human Nutrition | Human Ecology | 2006 |
| All | Business Administration | 2005 |
| All | K-State Libraries | 2004 |
| CLASSIC-ESL/Dual Language Program | Education | 2003 |