The President’s Achievement Awards for Inclusive Excellence (PAAIE) are designed to honor individuals, units, and programs that have made exemplary contributions to advancing inclusive excellence at Clark and within the broader Worcester community. Inclusive excellence centers equity, inclusion, and diversity as core institutional values. Clark strives to create a culture of inclusion that allows all students, faculty, and staff to thrive in our living, working, and learning communities. We aim to create a shared sense of commitment and engagement across campus in our efforts to foster excellence through inclusion. This commitment broadens and strengthens the University’s mission of teaching, learning, and scholarship.
Up to four awardees will be honored per year. Each award includes a monetary gift to help support Clark’s shared commitment to advancing inclusive excellence.
- The President’s Achievement Award for Inclusive Excellence includes a $1,500 gift for the awardee(s) to designate toward a program or department of their choice.
- One awardee may receive the Distinguished Inclusive Excellence Award, which includes a $1,000 gift for the awardee.
Nomination Period: The 2024 President’s Achievement Awards for Inclusive Excellence nomination period will be open March 11 – April 2.
Nominations are accepted in the following categories:
- Undergraduate and graduate students
- Academic and staff employees
- Student organizations
- Campus units (e.g., offices, departments, centers)
- Academic or administrative programs
- Clark partnership within the broader Worcester community
Multiple nominations are encouraged.
The President’s Achievement Awards for Inclusive Excellence honor those who have demonstrated their commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity at Clark or within our partnership in the Worcester community. Success in leading and enhancing inclusive excellence can be demonstrated in many ways. Nominations will be considered on the following criteria and areas of achievement that extend beyond the routine expectations of the role, program, or project:
- Demonstration of emerging or sustained commitment to the values of inclusive excellence.
- Contributions that uniquely address key areas of equity, inclusion, and diversity at Clark with measurable impact.
- Collaboration with campus or community groups in the creation, sponsorship, and implementation of programs, initiatives, or projects in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Exemplary scholarship and/or research projects on topics focusing on social groups, origins, and cultures within the United States and globally that enrich students’ education in novel ways
- Exceptional mentoring of students whose background, experience, and interests contribute to diversity on campus.
- Activities to attract or recruit students who increase the compositional diversity of our campus, or to help ensure the success of historically underrepresented students.
- Activities to recruit, retain, and professionally develop individuals who increase the compositional diversity of our faculty or staff.
- Promotes or supports the important contributions of historically and contemporarily marginalized communities in a tangible, impactful manner.
- Evidence of exceptional efforts to promote a University environment that is free from bias and discrimination.
Nomination Period: The 2024 President’s Achievement Awards for Inclusive Excellence nomination period will be open March 11 – April 2. Submit your nomination here.
2023-2024 Selection Committee
Asha Best – Assistant Professor, Geography and Director of CGRAS
Margo Foreman – Vice President and Chief Officer of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Ben Gardner – Business/Data Analyst, Administrative Information Services
Lisa Gillingham – Managerial Assistant, Government and Community Affairs
Azariah Kurlantzick – First Year Success Advisor, Division of Student Success
Jennifer Plante – Associate Dean of the College, Curriculum Administration and Academic Integrity, Dean of the College Office
Yaa Poku – Administrator of Degree Programs, Graduate School of Geography
Tanvi Sengupta – Undergraduate Student
Rosalie Torres Stone – Associate Professor, Sociology
Nomination Deadline
Please note: The 2024 President’s Achievement Awards for Inclusive Excellence nomination period will be open March 11 – April 2. Submit your nomination here.
For questions about the process and for accessibility accommodations, please contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at odi@clarku.edu or 1-508-793-7350.