The Penn State Scranton Excellence in Diversity Award was created in 2015 by the Penn State Scranton Diversity Advisory Council to recognize and honor demonstrated commitment and outstanding efforts toward creating a diverse and inclusive community. We annually recognize one internal and one external community nominee(s) that meet the defined criteria. Nominees could be individuals, organizations, groups, or units.
Submit a nomination by Dec. 11
Criteria for Award
Must meet at least one of the following:
- Engage in meaningful diversity activities beyond one's responsibility in order to encourage excellence through inclusion in the Penn State Scranton community
- Demonstrate efforts that foster a more inclusive and equitable learning and work environment
- Show evidence of inclusive teaching and/or program development beyond responsibilities
- Conduct research and/or creative activity related to the experiences, realities, and/or contributions of persons from less-represented populations
- Demonstrate leadership in programming, training, or other experiences which serve to advance diversity and inclusion at Penn State Scranton or the surrounding community.
Our Past Award Winners
Excellence in Diversity Awards are awarded to a campus community member and a local resident who demonstrate a genuine commitment to making the world a more diverse and inclusive place.
The Penn State Scranton awarded its Excellence in Diversity Awards at the 2023 MLK Day event, honoring Keshia Vilchert, Director of Student Equity and Inclusion at Marywood University and Dharti Ray, Assistant Director of Student Services and Engagement at Penn State Scranton.
Pictured from left to right: Emily Glodzik, Coordinator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Penn State Scranton, Keshia Vilchert, Dr. Marwan Wafa, Chancellor, and Dharti Ray.
Chancellor Marwan Wafa presents Rashida Lovely with the 2021 Excellence in Diversity Award, a local resident who demonstrates a genuine commitment to making the world a more diverse and inclusive place.
Chancellor Marwan Wafa presents Penn State Scranton Associate Director of Learning and Disability Services Eileen Giovagnoli with the campus Excellence in Diversity Award 2021 for her genuine commitment to making campus a more diverse and inclusive place.
James Hart, lecturer in communication arts and sciences was the 2020 Excellence in Diversity Award recipient, for a campus member.
Sean McHale, vice president and chief operating officer of the Advocacy Alliance and administrator of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Diversity Education Consortium (NEPDEC) was awarded the 2020 Community Recipient of the Excellence in Diversity Award.
Campus recipient for the 2020 Excellence in Diversity, Dr. Ray Petren, assistant professor of Human Development and Family Studies (right), pictured with Chancellor Marwan Wafa during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration and awards luncheon on January 20, 2020.
The Centre Dimensions jazz ensemble will offer "A Night of Penn State Jazz" on Oct. 15 at the historic Ritz Theater in Scranton.
Campus recipient for the 2019 Excellence in Diversity, Brad Kovaleski, director of student services and engagement (left), pictured with Chancellor Marwan Wafa, and the community award recipient was Laura Ducceschi, president and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation.
Nomination Process:
Individuals or organizations can self nominate or be nominated.
- Nominee can be from individual or groups of faculty, staff, student or community members.
- Submit nominations online to the office of the Chancellor
- Nominee must submit a detailed description of the initiative/efforts made that promotes diversity and an inclusive community and its impact.
- Nominations Review Committee consisting of FIVE members appointed by the Chancellor of Penn State Scranton will review nominations and submit recommendations to the Chancellor.
Recognition of Recipients:
- One internal and one external community individual or organization will be recognized.
- Penn State Scranton will announce the results through a special awards ceremony on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
- The recipients will receive a commemorative gift, media coverage, an opportunity to share with the audience a description of the effort and its impact