The Women, Gender Equity, and Community Leadership awards will celebrate diverse and innovative leadership, including those outside of traditional definitions of power. This award recognizes leaders of diverse gender identities, as well as leaders working on issues of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in various community spaces. About the Award: For 20 years, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has celebrated the unique and transformative leadership of women at our university and in our shared Whitewater community through the Women in Leadership Awards. Historically sponsored by the Women’s Issues Committee, these awards recognized leadership that is collaborative and equity minded. Often leadership is viewed as a quality held by those in positions of power. But the Women in Leadership ceremony sought to recognize many different kinds of leaders; leaders who build community, engage in mentoring, sustain collegiality, model resilience, and more. These kinds of leaders are not always found in traditional leadership positions but nonetheless, transform their workplace and communities. As we celebrate the 20th year of these awards, the Women in Leadership recognitions enter a new era. Specifically, the Women’s Issues Committee has merged with the Chancellor’s Committee on Inclusive Excellence. And we have taken that opportunity to rename these awards, now titled Women, Gender Equity, and Community Leadership Awards. Like always, these awards will celebrate diverse and innovative leadership, including those outside of traditional definitions of power. But with the new name, we want to expand our leadership recognition to include diverse gender identities, as well as leaders working on issues of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in various community spaces in our selection criteria. Eligibility: We accept nominations from students, classified staff, non-instructional academic staff, instructional academic staff, faculty, administrators, and community members. Nominated employees should have worked at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for at least 2 full years. Nominated students should have at least junior standing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Community members are also eligible for this award. By community, the award's subcommittee means individuals that embody the values of UW-Whitewater, both in our immediate region and global community of alumni and friends. Selection Process: The Chancellor’s Committee on Inclusive Excellence and the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies invites you to submit nominations. Representatives from the Chancellor’s Committee, including a Women’s and Gender Studies department representative, will serve on a sub committee to select awardees. Each year, at least 4 leaders will be recognized with the Women, Gender Equity, and Community Leadership Award. The sub committee strives to recognize a breadth of leadership types, campus roles, and community contributions, informing the annual selection of awardees. Application Process: To nominate a student, employee, or community member, please write a letter of nomination outlining the nominee’s contributions to leadership at UW-Whitewater and/or surrounding communities. In crafting your nomination, please consider expansive definitions of leadership and influence. Leadership does not always look like traditional forms of power and authority; rather, these awards seek to recognize diverse forms of leadership, celebrating community building, mentorship, tenacity, and more. Nominations can also consider the various intersectional approaches, practices, and initiatives nominees are leading related to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion in institutional and community spaces. To help with the evaluation process, we recommend a letter of at least a page in length and 2 professional references to be checked at a later date by the award subcommittee. Self-nominations are welcome. Deadline: February 15