People, Possibilities and Progress Diversity Award

Diversity is the spice of life! 

The 2010 People, Possibilities and Progress Diversity Award sponsored by Kimberly-Clark is intended to recognize and support New North businesses and organizations that embrace and celebrate diversity. Companies and organizations of all sizes and industries located within the New North region are eligible – and encouraged – to apply.

Apply today – the process is easy!

Step 1: Download the Application by clicking here. Responses can be entered directly into the PDF and saved to your computer. Print the completed form and include it with your mailed entry submission.

Step 2: Download the Self Assessment Matrix PDF by clicking here. Color coded responses can be chosen directly in the PDF and saved to your computer. Print the completed form and include it with your mailed entry submission.

Step 3: Download the Self-Assessment Form PDF by clicking here. Responses can be entered directly into the PDF and saved to your computer. Print the completed form and include it with your mailed entry submission.

Step 4: Mail your entry submission to New North, Inc. / Attn: Beth Sigmund / 1716 Lawrence Drive, De Pere, WI  54115.

Award winners will be announced at the annual New North Summit, to be held on December 3, 2010 at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Kolf Sports Center.

Specific dates and more information will be provided within the next few weeks.  For more information contact Diversity Committee Chair, Pamela Lassiter at Lassitep@uwosh.edu.

 

2009 Winner of the Diversity Award:

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh  was chosen as the 2009 recipient of the People, Possibilities, and Progress Diversity Best Practices Award for their efforts in all five levels of diversity. 

"We are excited to share our continuing efforts in the area of diversity and inclusion, and we are honored to be recognized by region for our mission to increase the number of baccalaureate degree holders in the state, while responding to Wisconsin's shifting demographics," said  Univ. of Oshkosh Chancellor, Richard H. Wells

UW Oshkosh ranks diversity and inclusivity among its core values and connects the perspecitives and backgrounds of diverse social and academic groups and the Center for Academic Support and Diversity.

 

 

Five levels of Diversity Award Best Practices

 

Level 1 – Acknowledgment and Compliance

Continuous assessment of current state through surveys to create new and different interventions.  The assessments have been formalized in the Scorecard, Climate Study, Self-Study for Higher Learning, etc.  One of the greatest successes is the increase of students of color attending the University.  The number of these students has doubled since 2000.

 

Level 2 – Awareness and Commitment

Hosted Social Justice: The Next Step for Diversity and Inclusion – the first weeklong event designed to create dialogues on compelling social issues like mental health in the education environment and the achievement gaps of students of color and majority students.  The event will be held again March 29 to April 1, 2010.

 

Level 3 – Explicit Recognition of Value

Within the Strategic Plan and Governing Ideas are the Core Values – the second being Diversity and Inclusivity.  The University community connects the perspectives and backgrounds of diverse social and academic groups of people, especially through student affinity/heritage groups and the Center for Academic Support and Diversity.

 

Level 4 – Proactively Embraced

In September 2008 became the first Fair Trade University in the United States.  This designation means the products have been produced in a manner providing artisans and farmers with a living wage for their work and humane working conditions, while protecting the environment.

 

Level 5 – Leveraged as a Key, Long-Term Strategy

Inclusive Excellence is a 10-year plan for diversity designed to include the entire campus community of students, faculty and staff.  The central premise of Inclusive Excellence holds that the UW System colleges and universities intentionally need to integrate their diversity efforts into the core aspects of their institutions – including academic priorities, leadership, quality improvement initiatives, decision-making, day-to-day operations, and organizational cultures – in order to maximize their success.