Diversity & Inclusion

Award Recipients - Diversity & Inclusion

Wake Forest University and Ernst & Young, 2018 Mosaic Award Recipients

January 11, 2019 by 0 Comments

At the 2018 Annual Conference in Atlanta, SoACE presented the Mosaic Award to Ernst & Young and the Wake Forest University Office of Personal and Career Development, who, in the spirit of diversity and inclusion, collaborated on a project entitled “Diversity Matters: Building Professional and Career Relationships.”  The focus of this program is to connect students from underrepresented groups (e.g., women, students of color, LGBTQ students, students with disabilities, and first-generation students) with employers who care about recruiting diverse talent.  Resources provided by this initiative ensured students would be well presented and prepared with fresh haircuts, counseling support and professional attire.

One of the students participating in the event shared the following: 

I have been feeling pretty lost lately when thinking about my plans for the future, and what I need to do in college to get there.  Just attending a prep workshop for Diversity Matters eased my mind.  And then attending the actual event, having a career coach at the table, and being coached and supported up until we started the actual event was so helpful.  I felt prepared and more confident, asking questions of employers and even branching out by looking into fields that people in my major don’t normally pursue.  I feel like I mattered to these employers, giving me a chance to stand out because of my diverse background, not disadvantaged by it.

The award was accepted by Ryan Emerson from Ernst & Young, along with Cheryl Hicks, Dana Hutchens, and Lori Sykes from Wake Forest University’s Office of Personal & Career Development (pictured below).

Criteria for the Mosaic Award includes a commitment to the spirit of diversity and inclusion through active participation in promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives within the last twelve months. In addition, the organization(s) must support positive communication and education that promote mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation or tolerance among people of different backgrounds. The Mosaic Award is presented to a group or organization that exemplifies these same commitments and intertwines them within their professional practice.

Award Recipients - Diversity & Inclusion

Verizon Wireless, 2017 Mosaic Award Recipient

August 10, 2018 by 0 Comments

Kevin Owens (left) accepting the Mosaic Award from Kelvin Rutledge on behalf of Verizon

With a focus on diversity and inclusion, SoACE annually recognizes an organization that has demonstrated a sustained commitment to this pursuit in the community and workplace. Criteria for the award includes a commitment to the spirit of diversity and inclusion through active participation in promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives within the last twelve months. In addition, the organization must support positive communication and education that promotes mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation or tolerance among people of different backgrounds. The Mosaic Award is presented to a group or organization that exemplifies these same commitments and intertwines them within their professional practice. This year we recognized Verizon Wireless as an organization committed to fostering an inclusive environment.

Diversity and Inclusion is how this Verizon Wireless achieves success.  Diversity and Inclusion is integrated within their organization fabric as seen through their employees and suppliers. By actively celebrating diversity across all spectrums and social identities, they believe they have a stronger company and culture. Verizon Wireless currently has processes, policies, procedures, and systems within their organization to facilitate a culture of belonging and success. Moreover, Verizon Wireless takes pride in the talented and diverse team of people who focus on our customers, each and every day. Their combined intelligence, spirit, and creativity make this organization a great place to work, learn and grow.

For more information on Verizon Wireless’ commitment to diversity and inclusion in their workforce, please visit https://www.verizon.com/about/our-company/diversity-and-inclusion.

Award Recipients - Diversity & Inclusion

Andrew Harper, 2017 Champion of Diversity Award Recipient

March 9, 2018 by 0 Comments

Established in 2013 and intended to address SoACE’s strategic priority on diversity and inclusion, SoACE annually recognizes an individual that has demonstrated a sustained commitment to the pursuit of diversity and inclusion in the community and workplace. Contributions in advancing diversity may be in the form of activism, education, outreach, publication, service, or other initiatives. SoACE was proud to present Andrew Harper, Manager of Employer Relations at St. Edward’s University, with the 2017 Champion of Diversity Award at the Annual Conference in December.

Kelvin Rutledge, Director of Diversity and Inclusion on the SoACE Board of Directors, presented Andrew with the Champion of Diversity Award and said the following:

This year, we are pleased to recognize an individual who has made active strides and contributions in both their personal and professional capacity. Andrew is an active contributor to multiple areas of the association and has made positive impact to the association’s social media team, the SoACE Connections blog, Diversity & Inclusion Programming, and the overall 2017 conference experience. Within his personal practice, Andrew has championed voices for underrepresented populations both on the institutional campus and been an advocate and resource within the local community of Austin, TX.

Andrew Harper has been dedicated to advancing career and experiential education through leadership positions in multiple professional associations.  He has represented Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas as the Region V Vice President on the Cooperative Education & Internship Association (CEIA) Board of Directors since 2016 and served as programs chair of the 2017 Southern Association of Colleges & Employers (SoACE) Annual Conference.  He also served on the Executive Board of Directors for the Texas Cooperative Education & Internship Association in the positions of Conference Chair, President and Past President from 2012 to 2015.  Through the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) between 2012 and 2013, he completed the Management Leadership Institute (MLI) and Leadership Advancement Program (LAP) and served on the Honors & Awards Committee.

Andrew has worked in higher education for 15 years in the positions of Manager of Employer Relations and Internship Coordinator at St. Edward’s University, Career Services Advisor at the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts – Austin and as an adjunct history instructor at Austin Community College.  At St. Edward’s, Andrew has administered experiential education programs and taught career exploration, research, history and writing courses, including developing an online career development course.  His service to campus includes chairing the Student Success Center Professional Development Committee and co-advising the campus LGBTQA+ student organization.

Andrew graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing & Rhetoric and a M.L.A. with a concentration in Social Sciences.

The call for nominations for the 2018 Champion of Diversity Award will be announced in the fall. When the time comes, please consider nominating a colleague. A list of past award recipients and selection criteria can be found on the Awards and Recognition page of the SoACE website.