Inclusive Excellence Showcase and Recognition Luncheon

Inclusive Excellence invites you to mark your calendars and join us for our Annual Inclusive Excellence Showcase and Recognition Luncheon in collaboration with HSI-MSI Initiatives. Doors open for brunch at 11:15 am and the program will start promptly at 11:45 am.

Inclusive Excellence Awards Nominations

As the hub for institutional transformation for equity here at Salem State University, Inclusive Excellence is excited to celebrate members of our community for exemplary contributions toward inclusive excellence in best practices, research, leadership, and service. 

Our goal is to encourage departments, faculty, staff, and students to implement comprehensive policies, practices, and initiatives designed to increase innovative, inclusive practices within our respective areas. We look forward to receiving many nominations of individuals and teams doing incredible work! Award recipients will be recognized at the Inclusive Excellence Showcase.

Award categories are as follows:

• The Catalyst Award - Undergraduate and Graduate
• Outstanding Service Award 
• Team Excellence Award
• Outstanding Contribution to Education Award

The deadline to submit a nomination is Sunday, April 5, 2026. 

Submission requirements for the Catalyst, Outstanding Service, and Team Excellence awards include a statement (250 words maximum) detailing why the nominee deserves recognition for the designated award, including the specific criteria associated with the award, as outlined in the award description. A resume, CV or letter of support is required alongside the statement.

Submissions for the Outstanding Contribute to Education Award will entail a statement (250 words maximum) on how the proposed contribution fits the award criteria and a completed copy of the deliverable attached. Supporting materials can be attached but are not required. A resume/CV is required alongside the statement and deliverable.

Overview of Awards

• The Catalyst Award will be presented to a Salem State University undergraduate and graduate student for their exemplified commitment to inclusive excellence through exercising innovative and courageous leadership practices within their student organization, in a classroom, university program, and/or the development and implementation of campus programs and initiatives. 
• The Outstanding Service Award will be awarded to a Salem State University faculty, staff, or administrator, who, through a record of consistent service, has contributed substantially to advancing inclusive excellence at Salem State University. 
• The Team Excellence Award recognizes and honors a team or department, academic or administrative, and a student program or organization that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. This award celebrates the collective commitment of the team to foster a more inclusive and equitable departmental community through transformative policies, best practices, and a profound contribution to the betterment of the departmental environment and the larger campus community. 
• The Outstanding Contribution to Education Award will recognize a faculty or staff member who has contributed substantially to furthering diversity and inclusion in higher education. Outstanding contributions to education may include research and creative inquiry, workshop development, campus diversity initiatives, curricular transformation, culturally affirming practices, capacity building, the influence of technology on diversity/equity, funding, and policies and inclusive practices. 

The Inclusive Excellence team will review all nominations and select recipients after the submission deadline. Any Salem State community member can self-nominate or nominate a colleague or peer. Nominees will be notified on Tuesday, April 7.

Please address all questions to Nasrin DadkhahTehrani, Graduate Assistant for Inclusive Excellence.