Dr. Patricia A. Bell Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award

This award is presented annually to a faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor or above, regardless of discipline, who is determined to bring to their students or community, a better understanding and appreciation of the values of diversity and inclusion as it relates to the United States social, political, or economic system, through teaching, research, or outreach.

Eligibility

Full-time OSU faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor or above, regardless of discipline.
Self-nominations and nominations by members of the Inclusive Excellence Advisory Board will not be considered. Members of the Inclusive Excellence Advisory Board cannot write letters of endorsement for the award on behalf of nominees.
Members of the Inclusive Excellence Advisory Board are not eligible to win the award.

Criteria

This award honors the achievements and impact of Dr. Patricia A. Bell. Dr. Bell served the university for three decades as a scholar, researcher, and ground-breaking administrator. Dr. Bell’s contributions substantially advanced the university’s culture of inclusion and diversity. The award recognizes exceptional accomplishments along with a significant and sustained impact by an OSU faculty member in any or all of the following three areas:

Teaching: Creation and implementation of effective strategies that align with the purpose and requirements of the general education diversity designation: "Prepare students for engaged citizenship in the diverse, multicultural society of the United States."

1. Students will reflect on identity through the examination of one or more underrepresented groups (e.g., racial, ethnic, religious, social class, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ) in present day United States.
2. Students will examine the ways underrepresented groups define and express themselves and the context in which these definitions are
3. Students will critically analyze theories and systems of cultural, societal, political, or economic
4. Students will demonstrate their understanding through written work that provides the opportunity to enhance their writing

Research/Projects: Efforts and initiatives that promote awareness and understanding or provides new knowledge in the area of diversity and inclusion in the United States.

Outreach/Service: Internal or external community engagement activities that promote the professional and/or academic advancement of diversity and inclusion in the U.S. These efforts could include activities such as recruitment and mentoring of faculty and students, professional or community-focused workshops, and initiatives.

Application

The application deadline for the 2022 award is Friday, June 16, 2022. Support materials outlined below should be forwarded electronically to: diversity@okstate.edu with the email subject line reading “Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award Committee.”

Letter(s) of nomination (maximum of three)
1. A narrative of 750 words or less per letter, stating why the nominee meets the award criteria and is deserving of the award.
Vita of nominee (maximum of fifteen pages)
Applicant personal statement of commitment to inclusive excellence (not to exceed 650 words)
Two letters of support (not to exceed 650 words per letter)
1. One from the department head or chair or a senior faculty member from the department
2. One from a full-time OSU staff member, a current or former student, or an alumnus
Additional faculty materials
1. Teaching
  - Outline of course syllabi
  - Brief course descriptions (one-page maximum)
2. Research/Projects relating to diversity and inclusion in the U.S.
  - Project outline and brief description (three-page maximum)
  - Reprints
3. Outreach/Service
  - Brief Description
  - Impact

NOTE: Support materials should be submitted no later than Friday, June 17, 2022 as an electronic (pdf) file sent to diversity@okstate.edu. Materials should be arranged in the order listed above.

The Dr. Patricia A. Bell Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award Committee will be appointed by the Vice President of Access and Community Impact or his designee. The committee will consist of four OSU Inclusive Excellence Advisory Board members, a representative from the OSU Foundation, one OSU undergraduate student, and one OSU graduate student. The committee will select one finalist and forward their recommendation on to the Vice President of Access and Community Impact by Friday, September 9, 2022.

The recipient of the Dr. Patricia A. Bell Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award will be publicly announced and recognized at the 2022 University Awards Convocation (schedule to be determined).

Thank you for your assistance in bringing the Dr. Patricia A. Bell Inclusive Excellence Faculty Award to the attention of your OSU faculty colleagues. Please feel free to contact the Office of Access and Community Impact should you have questions regarding this award.