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Soaring to New Heights

Soaring to New Heights Diversity & Principles of Community Achievement Awards

Started nearly thirty years ago (1990), the annual Soaring to New Heights - Diversity & Principles of Community Achievement Awards recognizes campus employees who demonstrate diversity and Principles of Community efforts that exceed the expectations of their position.

Individual Awards

Awards are intended to recognize staff members who, through their own personal efforts, have made significant contributions to affirmative action/equal employment opportunity or heightened awareness and sensitivity to diversity. Nominations received for contributions made by faculty, executives, student employees or community members will be considered for a Special Citation.

Deanna Falge Award

While the criteria for this award are consistent with the criteria for the Individual Award, it is expanded to recognize the ongoing (5 years or more) demonstration of one's exemplary contributions toward the furthering of UC Davis' affirmative action/equal opportunity or diversity objectives.

Department/Unit/Team Award

This award is intended to recognize the UC Davis unit or team whose members, through their own personal or group efforts, have made significant contributions to affirmative action/equal employment opportunity or heightened awareness and sensitivity to diversity.

 Calvin E. Handy Leadership Award

The Calvin E. Handy Leadership Award is a crime prevention and public safety award that recognizes individuals based on community oriented engagement and activities that are collaborative, cooperative, and proactive. This award highlights the importance of maintaining an environment where safety is essential to the successful mission of UC Davis, UC Davis Health and its surrounding communities.  The goal of the leadership award is to promote safety and security by recognizing individuals and/or organizations on the UC Davis campus, UCD Health campus, or the surrounding communities for their contributions toward safety.  The award was developed by members of the campus community to honor Chief Emeritus Calvin Handy’s legacy of public service and leadership, and his outstanding record of engagement and relationship building. 

All campus community members (student, faculty or staff) are eligible for nomination, as are citizens in the communities surrounding the UC Davis campus and UC Davis Health in Sacramento.  Business and service groups, governmental agencies, and organizations in the community are also eligible for nomination.

Nominations

The nomination period generally opens in January of each year.nAll nominations must address these same criteria.  Each nomination must include specific examples of contributions such as:

  • Advances awareness of affirmative action and/or diversity issues and concerns;
  • Models behavior consistent with the Principles of Community;
  • Advances a positive work environment that is inclusive and bias free;
  • Contributes substantially to achievement of affirmative action goals;
  • Participates productively in affirmative action and/or diversity programs; or
  • Demonstrates commitment to affirmative action and diversity through public service and community involvement

For Questions or Comments please contact the Office of Campus Community Relations at occr@ucdavis.edu