The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was recognized for the third time in four years for their diversity programs when they were presented with the Program Achievement Diversity Award in front of the Capitol Thursday.
The Ann Lydecker Educational Diversity Award and the Program Achievement Diversity Award are the two types of awards given out annually by the state. To win an award, a university must strive to recruit and retain multicultural, racial and ethnic minorities, women and persons with disabilities on campus, along with programs or initiatives aimed at furthering that goal.
Pepe Indalecio, a member of the Division of Affirmative Action and Workforce Planning, said a university must also be able to prove with supporting data that their efforts toward promoting diversity have been successful.
UW-Whitewater, which previously won the Ann Lydecker Award in 2006 for the McNair Program and in 2008 for the King Chavez Scholars Program, was selected by the state for the Diversity Award this year due to its Pre-College Program, according to Melissa DiMotto, UW-Whitewater’s spokesperson.
“The Pre-College Programs are three major initiatives that reach out to sixth through 12th grade students,” DiMotto said.
She added the Pre-College Programs contain the federally funded TRIO programs Upward Bounds and Educational Talents Search. They allow students to come to the university campus and receive extra practice in academics, cultural experiences and professional networking.
“It gets them used to the college environment,” DiMotto said. “It shows that we really are committed to empowering students to make higher education a goal. Having a diverse campus and supporting students of diverse backgrounds is part of our mission on this campus.”
Four state agencies and four other universities, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Stevens Point, UW-La Crosse and UW-Colleges and University of Wisconsin-Extension, were also rewarded for their diversity efforts at the ceremony, according to Indalecio.
He added UW did win the Diversity Award in 2001 for the Division Level Representatives Program as well as in 2008 for the Learning Communities on Campus.
