The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion supports several faculty/staff programs and awards at the University of Michigan. Learn more about each of these and their impact on the University and surrounding communities.
Do you know a member of the staff or an entire work team that stands out by demonstrating extraordinary commitment and dedication to diversity at the University of Michigan? Share your story by making a nomination for the Distinguished Diversity Leaders Award.
The Distinguished Diversity Leaders Award shines a light on those staff members who work toward achieving a welcoming, supportive and inclusive working environment. It is intended to celebrate those who embrace the value of diversity and recognize how it helps set the University apart.
This award is made possible by the Office of the Provost and University Human Resources to celebrate progress toward creating a welcoming, supportive and diverse environment.
The University of Michigan’s commitment to diversity and excellence is rooted in its history. Founded as a public institution to address the needs of society, the University has long supported faculty in undertaking research and scholarship that explores and illuminates multifaceted public concerns, educating students with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, and helping to address challenges facing local, national, and global communities. It recognizes that diverse experiences and perspectives are the foundation for new ideas and innovative solutions to complex problems.
Acknowledging both our past contributions to diversity in many forms and the importance of continuing this work as the complexity of diversity shapes and challenges society, the University established a faculty honor, the James S. Jackson Distinguished Career Award for Diversity Scholarship. This award, given biannually, recognizes the significant contributions of a U-M faculty member to understanding diversity and addressing disparities in contemporary society.
Every other year, a senior faculty member whose research and scholarship — as well as teaching, mentoring, and public engagement — focuses on diversity is selected to receive the award and give a public lecture or performance addressing an aspect of diversity.
Learn more about the James Jackson diversity scholarship award
Faculty at the University of Michigan (U-M) have historically made significant contributions to excellence through their commitments to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These contributions are made through excellence in scholarly inquiry related to DEI, inclusive teaching and mentoring, as well as impactful service and engagement that provides greater access and opportunity. The U-M Diversity & Social Transformation Professorship (UDSTP) both honors and builds upon the University’s legacy of faculty commitment to and achievement in DEI.
The UDSTP is an honorific designation for senior faculty who have throughout their careers demonstrated a commitment to the University’s ideals of DEI through their scholarship, teaching, and/or service and engagement. Like other U-M professorships such as the Thurnau, Collegiate, and University Professorships, the University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor is reserved for only the highest level of achievement.
It is envisioned that the UDSTP will be used in two ways: 1) to acknowledge outstanding senior U-M faculty who have been judged to have made significant contributions to DEI at the University of Michigan and/or beyond, and 2) to recruit outstanding senior faculty from other institutions who have been judged to have made significant contributions to DEI at other institution(s) and/or beyond.
In addition to recognizing individual achievement in the area of DEI, the UDSTP is also designed to create a community of faculty who have a set of overlapping scholarly, pedagogical, and engagement interests that will stimulate exciting new collaborations and synergies. This will be achieved by awarding all UDSTP recipients a special Faculty Fellow status at the National Center for Institutional Diversity (NCID).
Meet the University Diversity and Social Transformation Professors
The Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award, named after Dean Emeritus of the School of Social Work, was established in 1996 to recognize faculty whose service goes above and beyond their regular duties and contributes to the development of a culturally and ethnically diverse campus community. Nominations are accepted for all regular instructional and research faculty, including librarians, curators, and archivists on the Ann Arbor campus (including the Medical School).
Nominations can be made by faculty, staff, and students, and must include a nomination letter, which should not exceed 2,000 words.
The nomination letter should explain the particular distinction that makes the nominee exceptionally qualified for this honor using one or more of the following criteria:
The nomination letter may also incorporate quotations from former and current students, peers, faculty, and communities impacted by the nominee’s work. Nominations must include the nomination form, a letter from the nominator regarding the nominee’s service and accomplishments in the areas described above, and a copy of the nominee’s curriculum vita.
Up to five awards are made annually, which includes a $5,000 stipend for each honoree.
If you have questions, please call (734) 764-3982.
Learn more about the Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award
The King-Chavez-Parks Visiting Professors Program, funded through both the University and the State of Michigan, contributes to the intellectual diversity of the campus by providing guest faculty with diverse points of view and experiences. Some Visiting Professors have traditional scholarly backgrounds; others may be outstanding performers or practitioners in their fields. Visits are generally five days or fewer. Sponsoring departments are encouraged to include activities with local K-12 schools and other area institutions of higher education as a part of a King-Chavez-Parks visit.
Nominations may be made by any University faculty member. Nominations must be made in combination with matching funds and be approved by and submitted through the nominator’s department chair and dean. Nominations should be submitted at least thirty days before a funding decision is required. Call (734) 764-3982 for detailed information and a nomination packet. You may also download the nomination packet in Adobe PDF format.
Learn more about the King-Chavez-Parks Visiting Professors Program