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Dr. Wesley G. Robinson-McNeese ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award

The purpose of the Dr. Wesley G. Robinson-McNeese ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award is to recognize staff and faculty members whose careers include generally fifteen years or more of documented service and advocacy in antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion at ¹û¶³´«Ã½ÊÓƵ. Nominees should have made a meaningful impact on a robust number of students, staff, alumni, and/or faculty members. The Award celebrates individuals who create, sustain, and expand ADEI, resulting in greater justice and belonging for all members in our community. 

ADEI Advocacy 

• Nominee’s life work has been dedicated to promoting and sustaining a campus environment and/ or community that is welcoming, supportive, and nurturing of ADEI: age, immigration status, disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, politics, military experiences, religion, racial and ethnic identity, and socioeconomic status. • Nominee’s activities have aided in closing equity gaps and boosting recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement among diverse faculty, staff, and students. 
• Nominee’s activities have made a positive impact on students, faculty, staff, alumni within the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ÊÓƵ community with respect to ADEI efforts. 
• Nominee’s activities have advanced equitable access to education. 
• Nominee’s activities or administrative service have enhanced policies and/or processes that advanced ADEI principles. 

Award Criteria (Nominees must meet three or more of the award criteria.). Nominee: 

• Strengthens resources to improve educational and/or career outcomes for underrepresented students. 
• Enhances institutional policies, programs, and systems to strengthen and sustain equity-minded practices. 
• Creates a sense of belonging for faculty, staff, students, and/or community members. 
• Collaborates in scholarship and community to cultivate a deep appreciation for ADEI in teaching, research, and public service. 
• Listens, encourages, mentors, and supports diverse students who are members of historically or currently underrepresented groups in their field and/or whose background and experiences contribute to campus diversity. 
• Promote diverse perspectives in programming and/or within the classroom. 

Examples Include: 

• Effective mentoring to students, staff, and faculty members from diverse backgrounds.
• Engagement in research and practices that enhances understanding of race, class, age, immigration status, disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, politics, military experiences, religion, and socioeconomic status.
  
  

Completed Applications should include: 

• Nomination letter: A statement about the staff/faculty member’s life-long accomplishments and evidence of success in ADEI from a colleague, current student, alum, or community member. The nomination statement should specifically identify the staff/faculty member contributions and accomplishments. 
• The nomination statement should address the criteria for this award, including concrete examples related to antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion activities. 
• Two additional recommendation letters from colleagues who can give testimony to the extent and effectiveness of the nominee’s contributions. 
• The Nomination statement and recommendation letters should not exceed three pages. 
• The Statement and letters should be sent to sheila.caldwell@siu.edu 

Eligibility: 

• Must be a full-time faculty/staff member on ¹û¶³´«Ã½ÊÓƵ campus with years of service generally being twenty years or more. 

Nomination Timeline: 

• Nomination period is February 6 – March 14, 2025
• The deadline for submission is Friday March 14, 2025

Selection of Award Recipients: 

• The award will be based on an accumulated record of achievements of approximately twenty years rather than a single act of service, project, or event. 
• The record of achievement will have been accomplished as a staff/faculty member on any campus within the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ÊÓƵ System. 
• The Selection Committee will consist of faculty, staff, and students from the ¹û¶³´«Ã½ÊÓƵ campuses. 
• The Selection Committee will choose a maximum of two award recipients per year: one staff member and one faculty member. 
• Nominated individuals are not allowed to serve on the selection committee. 

Award Winners will Receive: 

• ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award Plaque. 
• $1,500 cash prize. 
• Presentation during ¹û¶³´«Ã½ÊÓƵ April BOT Meeting, April 17, 2025. 
• Award Reception April 17, 2025. 

Presentation of Award: 

April 17, 2025

Questions: 

Dr. Sheila Caldwell, Vice President for Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
sheila.caldwell@siu.edu

Ms. Doris Williams, ADEI Project Coordinator 
doris.williams@siu.edu