NADOHE Announces 2026 Inclusive Excellence Award Winners

March 31, 2026 — The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) celebrates individuals and institutions for their exemplary achievements and contributions to lead higher education toward inclusive excellence. Each year, nominations for the Inclusive Excellence Awards are submitted on behalf of higher education administrators, scholars and institutions who are leaders in advancing inclusion by means of research, leadership and service. 

 

NADOHE announced the 2026 Inclusive Excellence Award winners during its recent Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA. The recipients are:

 

  • Dr. Frank W. Hale, Jr., Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Venessa A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Retired Chief Diversity Officer, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, NADOHE Fellows Program Director; Dr. Jamal Watson, Professor and Associate Dean, Professor and Associate Dean, Trinity Washington University; and Dr. V. Faye Jones, Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Associate Vice President for Health Affairs, University of Louisville

  • Higher Education Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award: Dr. Joanna Ojada, VP of Student Support Services, Helene Fuld College of Nursing

  • Individual Leadership Award: Dr. Tamara Johnson, Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Harper College

  • Rising Star Award: Dr. Randy Williams, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, Associate Professor of Education, Elon University

  • Institutional Excellence Award, Four-Year Private Institution: St. Mary's College

  • Institutional Excellence Award, Two-Year Institution: Seattle Colleges District

  • Outstanding Dissertation Award: Dr. angela gay-audre

  • Corporate Excellence Award: IXE Advising, LLC (small company); Cleveland Guardians Baseball (medium company)

  • Community-Based Non-Profit Organization Award: Asian Americans United

     

“It is a privilege to recognize this year’s Inclusive Excellence Award winners,” NADOHE President & CEO Emelyn dela Peńa said. “At a time when diversity, equity and inclusion efforts continue to face challenges, these individuals and institutions exemplify the leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment needed to create meaningful change in higher education. Their work is a testament to the power of inclusive excellence in shaping a more just and equitable future for all.”