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UT Honored for Campus Diversity Initiatives
The University of Tampa has received the 2024 NADOHE Institutional Excellence Award for four-year, private institutions in recognition of its campus diversity initiatives. The award was presented at the annual conference of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) on Friday, March 15, in Seattle.
The University of Tampa has received the 2024 NADOHE Institutional Excellence Award for four-year, private institutions in recognition of its campus diversity initiatives. Photo by Tim Trumble for NADOHE
The Institutional Excellence Award is presented to institutions with measurable progress in promoting and sustaining innovative diversity efforts within their campus community. These efforts may involve but are not limited to institutional leadership, curricular reform, institutional transformation, professional development, assessment policies and practices, accountability measures and outreach efforts.
Thomas Witherspoon, UT vice president and chief diversity officer, received the award on behalf of UT. He credited a “profound cultural shift” at the University characterized by the “embrace of diverse voices from every corner of the campus community;” investment in professional staff training and measures that track progress and ensure the long-term sustainability of diversity efforts and programs.
“This award shows that our work is being recognized on a national level,” Witherspoon said.
In recent years, UT has implemented several inclusion-focused resources, supports and services, including:
- The Spartan Inclusion Team is made of divisional leaders from across campus to ensure accountability, regular reporting and progress toward divisional inclusion goals in their specific area of the campus community.
- The Diversity Advisory Group, a partnership between the offices of Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion allows key administrators to hear directly from students about their experiences to better advocate for a more inclusive learning environment.
- History and Heritage Month Celebrations are University-wide, monthly educational opportunities centered around marginalized cultures and identities.
- The Basic Needs Committee addresses systemic barriers and disparities created by food, financial and clothing insecurities.
In addition, many programs have been enhanced or established and support first-generation and/or underrepresented students. Among them:
- Sister to Sister and Brother to Brother provide safe and supportive spaces to unify men and women of color through dialogue, friendship, mentoring and the intentional development of Spartan-Ready competencies.
- Unity is an umbrella organization that meets monthly to support UT’s more than 20 diversity and inclusion student organizations.
- Students explore the history, heritage and culture of different communities, build lasting friendships, and make a positive impact through community service projects on the Cultural Spring Break Trip.
- The Success Scholars Program is a year-round support network with mentoring, intentional outreach, specialized programs and workshops, and supplemental financial support.
- UT charted a chapter of the Tri-Alpha first-generation honor society in Fall 2023 and is expecting its first inductees this spring.
Witherspoon said all the efforts have been the result of teamwork.
“Colleagues including President Ronald Vaughn, University trustees and student leaders throughout campus have been invaluable collaborators in our ongoing efforts toward inclusion,” he said. “Their dedication has enabled us to firmly establish inclusive practices that foster the success and well-being of every student, regardless of background.
“Therefore, receiving this award symbolizes not just individual achievement but also reflects a collective endeavor to embrace and celebrate the growing diversity within the UT community.”
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