Diversity Efforts Honored

The Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity announced the winners of the Chancellor’s Creating Community Awards, which honor faculty, staff, colleges, students and student organizations that have made exceptional efforts and contributions in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Outstanding Faculty Award

Rajade Berry-James

Berry-James has a long professional and personal legacy of promoting diversity, cultural competence and social equity. She was the first African-American public administration faculty member and director of graduate programs. She created the first cultural competence course in the public administration department. She was also honored for her recruitment of students from underrepresented groups, her incorporation of diversity and cultural competence into her classes, her work as a mentor and adviser, her involvement in the community, and her spearheading of the national Social Equity Leadership Conference, which will be held at NC State June 5-7.

Outstanding Staff Award – SPA and professional EPA

Brooke Bailey

Bailey was honored for her emphasis on diversity in supervising 14 resident advisers and for her efforts to foster a campus climate that is safe and inclusive of all students. She interned in the GLBT Center and taught a course (ECD 296) that supported diversity events on campus.

Outstanding Student Award

Guadalupe Arce-Jimenez

Arce-Jimenez was honored for her work as a social organizer in support of the Dream Act on behalf of undocumented students, her roles as a Chancellor’s Liaison and Bone Scholar, her work with the Mexican Consulate to promote the deferred action policy, her involvement with Student Action with farm workers, and her volunteer efforts with We Connect Now, Dance Marathon, Shack-a-Thon, Juntos, the North Carolina Society of Hispanic Professionals, Pueblo, Mi Familia, voter registration and TRiO.”

Outstanding College/Division Award

College of Natural Resources

The college was honored for its many diversity efforts, including relationships with historically black colleges and universities, collaborations within NC State, outreach to agencies both at home and abroad and efforts to support and develop students in the college. CNR’s Community for Diversity also provides funding to assist students, faculty and community partners. Also highlighted were the college’s numerous accomplishments in the areas of examining and enhancing diversity by improving recruitment and retention processes.

Outstanding Student Organization Award

Feed the Pack Food Pantry

The organization was honored for providing a safe and welcoming environment for those in need in NC State’s community. The pantry has provided over 100 members of the Wolfpack community with aid, and the number continues to grow. Every aspect of the pantry, from the governing documents to the volunteers to the student leadership team, encourage diversity, inclusion and equity.