Kennesaw State Recognizes Individuals For Creating Welcoming Campus Environment

Kennesaw GA

25 April, 2022

5:16 PM

Description

Press release from Kennesaw State University: Apr 25, 2022 Kennesaw State recognizes individuals for creating welcoming campus environment KENNESAW, Ga. (Apr 25, 2022) — Three members of Kennesaw State University's faculty and staff and two students were presented the 2022 Presidential Diversity Awards recognizing their service and contributions toward creating an inclusive and welcoming campus environment. Pictured left to right: Mary Margaret Cornwell, Jay Powell, Olivia Maley, President Kathy Schwaig, Ivan Pulinkala The ninth annual awards ceremony was held on April 20 and hosted by the University's Division of Diverse and Inclusive Excellence. As a part of the university's Roadmap to R2 Success, Kennesaw State President Kathy Schwaig expanded the strategic goals of the institution to include a pillar focused on advancing community and culture. Among other provisions, the pillar highlights the importance of nurturing a campus community that provides a sense of belonging and a broad marketplace of ideas. "These awards provide us with an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of our faculty, staff and students who are working to on behalf of our campus community, and I am proud of each of our honorees and research fellows for their hard work and commitment," said Schwaig. "By emphasizing the importance of building a diverse campus environment in our strategic plan and taking intentional steps to achieve it, we will better support our students and strengthen our community," This year's award recipients are: R.O.H. Social Justice Award for Racial and Ethnic DiversitySydnee Goode, junior, choral music education major Carol J. Pope Award of Distinction for Disability Strategies and ResourcesMary Margaret Cornwell, undergraduate support librarian and librarian assistant professor of library science Teresa M. Joyce Award for Excellence for LGBTQ InitiativesOlivia Maley, Campus Awareness Resource and Empowerment (CARE) Services case manager Student Diversity AwardJay Powell, senior, geospatial sciences major R.C. Paul Excellence in Sustainability for SustainabilityBritt Pickering, director of OwlSwap Sustainability Initiative Sonia J. Toson, the University's interim chief diversity officer, shared her appreciation for the faculty, staff, students and community partners that support the division's mission to celebrate diversity. "The Division of Diverse and Inclusive Excellence seeks to foster an inclusive learning and work environment that promotes an understanding of, and appreciation for, difference through initiatives, programs, services, and training," Toson said. "We celebrate the wealth of diverse excellence that exists in our community and engage each other with respect as fellow humans." – Natalie GaarPhoto by David Caselli Related Stories Kennesaw State Awards Ceremony honors outstanding faculty Kennesaw State professor earns award from American Educational Research Association Kennesaw State sophomore earns prestigious Goldwater scholarship A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its nearly 43,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu. This press release was produced by Kennesaw State University. The views expressed here are the author's own.