Inclusive Excellence Awards 2023

Mission

The Nanook Diversity and Action Center would like to honor a UAF staff, student, faculty member and program / initative that is showcasing inclusive excellence surrounding UAF's strategic goal #5: Embrace and grow a culture of respect, diversity, inclusion, and caring.

Vision

At UAF, we work every day to operationalize the equity and inclusion that we seek to advance in Alaska and beyond. Genuine equity requires continual transformation: a thorough and deep examination and shift when needed in organizational practices, norms, culture and composition. At UAF, we deeply value a culture of respect, diversity, inclusion and caring. We are a positive, human-centric university focused on individual and community well-being. We celebrate the unique nature of our students and employees through strengths-based approaches.

Photo Credit: Eric Engman

Jenn Moss, Instructional Designer eCampus

One student shared the following testimonial about his work with Moss: "When I was in my undergrad, I made this fairly ambitious project to do first person video based design impact analysis for an exhibit area. Jen heard about my project and offered to lend some of her equipment (Google Glass, one of the first production versions) and her time to train me on how to use it. I don't know of many people who are as accomplished as she is, that would have been willing to invest personal time and effort into what was a one-off undergrad project. That experience and belief meant a lot to me, and helped me see the type of professional I aspire to be. Someone who is curious, kind, and willing to make time and space for innovation in the most humble of spaces."

Inspiring Girls* Expedition

"Inspiring Girls* Expeditions Alaska is an educational program of the International Arctic Research Center dedicated to removing barriers to access to science and the outdoors. Inspiring Girls* invites participation from youth aged 16-18 with gender identities historically marginalized in science and the outdoors, while taking an intersectional approach to also address the underrepresentation of other minoritized groups. Inspiring Girls* is among few science/outdoor programs that is tuition-free, provides all equipment, and offers travel scholarships to any participant, in order to remove financial barriers. The program also intentionally builds diverse teams, bolsters early career instructors through professional development scholarships, and participates in staff community learning around diversity and inclusion."

eCampus

"eCampus commits to ongoing work to improve access to higher education for all Alaskans. eCampus is a human-centered support unit serving students, staff and faculty as individuals. We welcome instructors in every rank and position. Through a constant focus on both innovation and equity, our goal is to continue to work on improvement. We regularly reach across institutional boundaries to collaborate with other units, institutions and the larger community. We strive to offer support and connection on a neutral ground where students, staff, faculty, adjuncts and administration work together on projects as a team where every voice is valued. "

Photo Credit: Sean Holland

Becca Olson, Biology and Wildlife Graduate Student

"Microbiology is the 1st class I have not experienced prejudice for my disabilities and Becca has played a very significant part in that and really deserves recognition."

Dr. Mario Muscarella, Biology and Wildlife Faculty

"For the 1st time since arriving at UAF I felt welcome in class, Dr. Mario showed me that my disabilities do not define me."

Photo Credit: JR Ancheta

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