ACCCA Award for Equity, Diversity and Social Justice

The ACCCA Award for Equity, Diversity and Social Justice was created to recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations in their efforts to expand the concept of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the wider higher education community.

In establishing the criteria for this award, ACCCA recognized that an honor of this nature must allow for nominations from both the individual as well as the institution. It requires the initiative of the individual to spearhead efforts to expand diversity and equity, but it requires the foresight of the institution to foster those efforts and create lasting systemic and structural changes in the system.

A review of past recipients of this award is evidence of the growing impact that community colleges are making to increase awareness, expand diversity and equity, and ignite systemic and structural change.

Following are the criteria that will be applied by the Selection Committee in determining the recipient(s) for this award:

• Does the nomination demonstrate a history of effective leadership in promoting awareness and progress of expanding diversity, equity and inclusion?
• Is there documented support of the nomination from colleagues or those from within the organization that attests to the unique contribution of the individual or organization; OR
• Is there a program, project or presentation at the state or national level that has demonstrated a contribution toward the goal of expanding diversity in higher education; OR
• Is there an example of a systemic approach to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in district policy, campus activities, or organizational documentation of effective actions taken by the organization toward these goals?

To submit your nomination, complete the form provided and upload any examples of the evidence described above and any additional letters in support of the nomination.