The purpose of the Regents Diversity Awards is to recognize institutional change agents who have established a successful record in fostering greater access and success for students who are members of historically underrepresented populations (including African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos/Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Southeast Asians), first-generation, and/or economically disadvantaged. Established by the Board of Regents during Plan 2008, the award signifies the Board’s commitment to “…achieving educational diversity at all UW System institutions… in order to fully develop advanced human potential, the jobs that employ that potential, and the flourishing of communities that sustain it,” (UW Board of Regents Resolution # 8970).
Up to three awards of $7,500 each will be made to individuals, departments, programs, units and/or teams in recognition of their exceptional efforts in fostering greater equity and diversity across their institutions and communities. The funds for these awards are designated to support individualized professional development or continuing programmatic activities. The awards process is administered by the systemwide Office of Academic and Student Affairs.
2022 Regents Diversity Awards Nominations
Submission Deadline: TBD
Recent Diversity Award Recipients
2021
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents will honor the 2021 recipients of the Regents Diversity Awards at its meeting on February 5, 2021, at UW-Madison.
The 2021 recipients include one individual and two programs:
- Dr. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton, Professor of History, UW-Eau Claire
- Counseling Services, UW-Eau Claire
- Wisconsin Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (WiscAMP), UW-Madison
News release: UW System Board of Regents announces 2021 Diversity Awards
Selika Ducksworth-LawtonProfessor of History, UW-Eau Claire
Counseling ServicesUW-Eau Claire
Wisconsin Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (WiscAMP)UW-Madison
2020
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents honored the 2020 recipients of the Regents Diversity Awards at its meeting on February 7, 2020, at UW-Madison.
The 2020 recipients include two individuals and one institution/unit:
- Arijit Sen, Associate Professor of Architecture and Urban Studies, UW-Milwaukee
- Fostering Success, UW-Stout
- Department of Chemistry, UW-Madison
News release: UW System Board of Regents announces 2020 Diversity Awards
Read the news summary from February 7, 2020
Arijit SenAssociate Professor of Architecture and Urban Studies, UW-Milwaukee
Fostering SuccessUW-Stout
Pictured: (from left) UW-Stout’s Director of Student Support Services Angela Ruppe and Fostering Success program advisor Gail Mentzel
Department of ChemistryUW-Madison
Pictured: Members of the Department of Chemistry Climate and Diversity Committee including: Front row, from left: Desiree Bates, Robert Hamers, Judith Burstyn, Karen Stephens, Kristi Heming, AJ Boydston, and Heike Hofstetter. Back row, from left: Wesley B Swords, Zachary Jones, Silvia Cavagnero, Sam Wood, Matthew Sanders, and Cheri Barta. Not pictured: Andrew Greenberg (Photo by Tatum Lyles Flick/UW-Madison)
2019
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents honored the 2019 recipients of the Regents Diversity Awards at its meeting on February 4, 2019 at UW-Madison.
The 2019 recipients include one individual and two teams:
- Dennis K. Beale, Jr., Assistant Director, Blugold Beginnings, UW-Eau Claire
- Food Center and Pantry, UW-Milwaukee
- Titan Advantage Program (TAP), UW-Oshkosh
News release: Regents’ 2019 Diversity Awards recipients announced – Educators in Eau Claire, Milwaukee, and Oshkosh recognized for work to support student success.
Read the news summary from February 8, 2019, or view more photos from February 8, 2019.
Dennis K. Beale, Jr.Assistant Director, Blugold Beginnings, UW-Eau Claire
Food Center and PantryUW-Milwaukee
Titan Advantage ProgramUW-Oshkosh
2018
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents honored the 2018 recipients of the Regents Diversity Awards at its meeting on February 9, 2018 at UW-Madison.
The 2018 recipients include one individual and two teams:
- Bee Vang, Program Director, Upward Bound, UW-River Falls
- Sociocultural Programming, UW-Milwaukee
- Upward Bound Program, UW-Eau Claire
News release: Recipients of 2018 Regents Diversity Awards announced.
Read the news summary from February 9, 2018 or view more photos from February 9, 2018.
Bee VangProgram Director, Upward Bound, UW-River Falls
Sociocultural ProgrammingUW-Milwaukee
Upward Bound ProgramUW-Eau Claire
2017
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents honored the 2017 recipients of the Regents Diversity Awards at its meeting on February 3, 2017 at UW-Madison.
The 2017 recipients include two individuals and one team:
- Cyndi Kernahan, Psychology Professor and Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning, UW-River Falls
- Angela Miller, Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA), UW-Platteville
- Blugold Beginnings, UW-Eau Claire
News release: Winners of 2017 Regents’ Diversity Awards announced
Cyndi KernahanPsychology Professor and Assistant Dean for Teaching & Learning, UW-River Falls
Angela MillerDirector, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA), UW-Platteville
Blugold BeginningsUW-Eau Claire