Presidential Awards for Inclusive Excellence

The Presidential Awards for Inclusive Excellence honor faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees, and community members and organizations whose accomplishments cultivate a profound sense of belonging for all. The recipients of the awards embody transformative change where University and community members can learn, thrive, and build communities ever better.

Congratulations to all 2025 winners!

Dr. Anika Simone Johnson, Advocacy and Action Award

Department of Black Studies, Inclusive Workforce Award

Meliora Educational Pathway Program, Changemaker Award

Arleata Robin White, Bridge to Equity Award

Rochester Deaf Kitchen, Social Impact Award

Curtis Johnson ’88, Distinguished Trustee Award

Dr. Noah Pizmony-Levy Drezer ’00, Distinguished Alumni Award

Award Categories and Eligibility

Advocacy and Action Award

Recognizes staff, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty who exemplify excellence in developing and sustaining a culture of belonging.

Inclusive Workforce Award

Recognizes departments, offices, programs, and teams that aim to enhance a culture and climate of belonging among faculty, staff, and/or students.

Changemaker Award

Recognizes students—undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral fellow—and student organizations who aim to cultivate transformative change at the University of Rochester.

Bridge to Equity

Recognizes members from a bargaining group who lead actions that eliminate barriers for others in the University community.

Social Impact Award

Recognizes a community organization or member from the Greater Rochester community who strives for meaningful social change.

For questions or more information, please contact the Office of Equity and Inclusion at equityandinclusion@rochester.edu.

For information about previous year awardees, click here.