The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented the Academic and Student Affairs awards and Diversity awards at its annual joint meeting of chief academic and student affairs officers - college and university deans held May 30-31 at Normandale Community College.

Diversity awards recognize programs and individuals for fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student body and providing quality services and support. Whitney Harris, MnSCU chief diversity officer, said, “We take pride providing an extraordinary education for Minnesotans from all backgrounds, and that requires diversity on campus. Our colleges and universities serve more students of color than any other provider of higher education in Minnesota, and we serve more low income students than all of the state’s other higher education options combined. It gives me great pleasure to recognize the outstanding work being done throughout the system that allows us to fulfill this vital role.”

Riverland Community College received an award for Innovative Partnering and Collaboration. The category, Preparing Future Teachers for Cultural Competence and Culturally Responsive Teaching was a partnership and an award shared by Winona State University, Minnesota State College -- Southeast Technical, Riverland and MnSCU Equity and Diversity Division. Each of the Partnering and Collaboration awards are for partnerships or collaborative initiatives that focus on better serving students in the 21st Century, particularly curricular and program or service efforts that reflect the changing nature of the educational landscape.

Academic and Student Affairs awards are presented to recognize innovation in partnership and collaboration, innovative programs, and excellence in programming. (See complete list below). Doug Knowlton, MnSCU vice chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, said, “The MnSCU Strategic Framework calls for our colleges and universities to ensure access to an extraordinary education for all Minnesotans, and that requires innovation and excellence in everything we do - from the classroom throughout every service we provide for our students. Although tremendous work is going on at every one of the 31 MnSCU colleges and universities, I am especially pleased to recognize the distinguished examples being honored today.”

Academic and Student Affairs Awards

Innovative Partnering and Collaboration Award

For partnerships or collaborative initiatives that focus on better serving students in the 21st Century, particularly curricular and program or service efforts that reflect the changing nature of the education landscape.

Project Maverick --Minnesota State University, Mankato

Distance Minnesota--Alexandria Technical & Community College, Northwest Technical College, Northland Community & Technical College, Bemidji State University, MnSCU system office

Oracle Retail Initiative--North Hennepin Community College

Preparing Future Teachers for Cultural Competence and Culturally Responsive Teaching: Winona State University, Minnesota State College – SE Technical, Riverland Community College, MnSCU Equity and Diversity Division

Innovative Student Affairs Program Award

For programs or activities that use new ideas, methods, or techniques that result in improved educational or developmental activities, services, or management for a college or university community (must have been in operation for at least two years).

Mav Connections: An Academic and Student Affairs Safety Net for Struggling Students--Minnesota State University, Mankato

Strategic Enrollment Management Planning--North Hennepin Community College

Excellence in Curriculum Programming

For programs that produce graduates ready to take on the challenges of life after college and demonstrate they are in demand by having consistently high enrollments and high graduation rates.

Cinema Arts and Digital Technologies Department--Minnesota State University Moorhead

Human Resources A.A.S. and A.S.--Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Outstanding Academic and Student Affairs Administrator Award

For administrators at the Director, Dean or Vice-President level who have made significant contributions to the development of academic or student affairs programming at their institutions. Margaret Vos--St. Cloud State University

Diversity Awards

Best Practices Award

For programs and practices that improve access and retention of diverse campus community members.

First Place: Century College--Century College Scholars Program, Access and Opportunity Center, Underrepresented Student programs

Second Place: Central Lakes College--Office of Diversity, Equity and Tribal Relations

New Innovative Practices in Diversity Award

For innovative practices that foster inclusivity and an equity and inclusion imperative.

First Place: Inver Hills Community College--St. Paul EMS Academy - Inver Hills Community College, Emergency Medical Services Department

Second Place: St. Cloud State University--Communicating Common Ground: A Collaboration of St. Cloud State University, ISD 742, ISD 47 and ISD 51

Outstanding Student Organization Award

For initiatives from student-led groups, staff, faculty and/or administrators that foster diversity and inclusion within the campus and/or the larger community.

First Place: Hennepin Technical College--Gay Straight Alliance

Second Place: Minneapolis Communityand Technical College--African American Education Empowerment Program

Resources for Relationship Award

For campuses/institutions that demonstrate measurable progress toward, or achievement of, benchmarks in building relationships that support student engagement and success of underrepresented students and American Indians.

First Place: Central Lakes College--Office of Diversity, Equity and Tribal Relations

Second Place: Winona State University, MN State College-Southeast Technical, Winona State University College of Education, College Change Agent Consulting, Target Corporation--Preparing Future Teachers for Cultural Competence, Culturally Responsive Teaching, and to Deliver Culturally Relevant Pedagogy in the Classroom