Nominations are now being accepted for the Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, Teaching, Teaching and Service through Diversity. Two tenured and tenure-track faculty members are eligible for this award, which comes with a $15,000 prize.

 “This award recognizes faculty who demonstrate outstanding sustained and transformative commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and in their research, teaching and service,” said Provost Michael I. Kotlikoff.

Initiated in 2018, the universitywide award broadly defines diversity as the “variety of cultures, world views, values and personal experiences that may result from difference, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, national origin/immigration status, gender, age, religion, abilities, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and gender identity.”

“Past winners have demonstrated exceptional commitment, and the selection committee has been extremely impressed with their submissions,” said Yael Levitte, senior associate vice provost for faculty development and diversity.

There are two parts to the nomination process. By March 17, faculty, staff and students are invited to nominate an individual and email their qualification to the Office of Faculty Development and Diversity (OFDD) at ofdd@cornell.edu. Self-nominations from tenured and tenure track faculty are also welcome.

Candidates selected to move to the final stage will be asked to submit additional materials and letters of support from their chair, dean and at least two individuals knowledgeable of their qualifications by April 24.

President Martha E. Pollack and Kotlikoff are expected to announce the awardees this spring.

Last year’s recipient, Neil A. Lewis Jr. ’13, assistant professor in the Department of Communication in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is using his award to fund paid research opportunities for low-income students who must have jobs to pay for their expenses.

“Doing this is a bit of a full-circle experience for me, as that is exactly how I got my start here years ago. I wanted to do research, but I was only able to afford to do so because my research adviser had paid research assistantships. If those opportunities didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have gotten involved and wouldn’t be on the other side of this desk today,” he said.

A list of past recipients can be found on OFDD’s website.

Lori Sonken is the communication and program manager for the Office of Faculty Development and Diversity.