LEADer in Inclusive Excellence Award

The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy's (UMSOP) Inclusive Excelllence Council invites faculty and staff to submit nominations for the School's annual LEADer in Inclusive Excellence Award. 

At UMSOP, our core values guide our mission to globally engage and lead education, pharmacy practice, scientific research, and pharmapreneurship initiatives to collaboratively and equitably improve the health of society.

In support of this mission, UMSOP commits to Inclusive Excellence, defined as the intentional integration of diverse talents, lived experiences, and perspectives to enhance holistic student success, foster a thriving and inclusive culture, and advance institutional excellence in response to society’s most pressing health needs.

The LEADer in Inclusive Excellence Award reflects this commitment by honoring employees whose actions provide meaningful and sustained impact within the School. This award recognizes a UMSOP employee who exemplifies one or more of the School’s L.E.A.D. themes: Learning Edge, Everyday Inclusive Excellence, Access and Success, and Institutional Excellence by Design, through intentional efforts that advance inclusion, equity, and excellence beyond routine job expectations at the individual, programmatic, or institutional level.

• Three awards will be granted, recognizing direct impact at the individual, programmatic, or institutional level within UMSOP.
  • Individual Impact: Actions that directly support or influence individuals (e.g., colleagues, students, trainees) through mentoring, advising, inclusive practices, or advocacy.
  • Programmatic Impact: Contributions that shape or improve programs, initiatives, teams, or departmental practices and result in broader, sustained benefits.
  • Institutional Impact: Efforts that influence School-wide policies, structures, School culture, or strategic direction related to inclusive excellence.
• Nominees must demonstrate impact by providing evidence of meaningful contributions toward one of the following areas:
  • Enhancing holistic student success: Refers to the conditions within the academic ecosystem that enable students to thrive not only academically, but also emotionally, socially, and professionally.
  • Fostering a thriving culture: A community that actively supports the well-being and success of all and where all members have an expectation of safety, support, and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to UMSOP’s culture and structures.
  • Advancing institutional excellence: UMSOP is a recognized leader in advancing equity, justice, organizational accountability, and innovations in inclusive excellence.
• Nominees must be current UMSOP employees (faculty, staff, or postgraduate employees such as postdocs and residents).
• Self-nominations are accepted!

Employees within the Office of Institutional Excellence and Engagement or those working on Inclusive Excellence Council specific initiatives are not eligible for this award. Please contact Chanel Whittaker, associate dean for institutional excellence and engagement, at cwhittaker@rx.umaryland.edu if you have specific eligibility questions.