Each year the Presidential Commissions recognize faculty, staff, students and community members who have helped make our campus a welcoming, diverse and inclusive place to live, learn and work. Nominations for these awards are announced generally early in the spring semester by each commission.
Learn more about each commission’s awards and complete the nominations forms to recognize deserving individuals by visiting the links below.
Presented to an NIU faculty or staff member with an outstanding record of service, research and/or leadership to persons with disabilities for the current academic year.
Must be current NIU faculty or staff member.
Nominees have demonstrated exceptional achievement, integrity, selflessness, leadership, advocacy and service to the Northern Illinois University community for the current academic year. Nominees have committed their time, energy and resources as a role model in going above and beyond advocating for disability awareness, access, and creating opportunities for advancement for persons with disabilities. Can only be awarded once.
To complete the nomination form, please prepare by having the name of nominee, preferred pronouns (if you are unable to answer, please type N/A), title, department/unit, and email address.
Additionally, you will need a letter of nomination/support that describes how the nominee meets the criteria for the award. For self-nominations, you must have a letter from another individual, but if you are nominating another person, you can provide the letter directly.
Presented to a community partner with an outstanding record of service and/or leadership to persons with disabilities for the current academic year.
Must be current NIU community partner (organization, business, agency, etc.) that collaborates with Northern Illinois University.
Nominees have demonstrated exceptional achievement, integrity, selflessness, leadership, advocacy, and service to the Northern Illinois University community for the current academic year. Nominees have committed their time, energy and resources as a role model in going above and beyond advocating for disability awareness, access, and creating opportunities for advancement for persons with disabilities. Can only be awarded once.
To complete the nomination form, please prepare by having the name of nominee, preferred pronouns (if you are unable to answer, please type N/A), title, department/unit, and email address.
Additionally, you will need a letter of nomination/support that describes how the nominee meets the criteria for the award. For self-nominations, you must have a letter from another individual, but if you are nominating another person, you can provide the letter directly.
This award honors NIU students who have demonstrated leadership, advocacy and awareness for persons with disabilities.
Currently enrolled as a student at Northern Illinois University Must be in good standing with the university (not on academic or disciplinary probation)
Nominees will have displayed values of equality, accessibility, and social justice inside and outside the classroom. They will have engaged in activities to support empowerment as well as limit stigmatization and discrimination. Such activities include, but are not limited to:
To complete the nomination form, please prepare by having the name of nominee, preferred pronouns (if you are unable to answer, please type N/A), year in school, major/minor, department/unit, and email address.
Additionally, you will need a letter of nomination/support that describes how the nominee meets the criteria for the award. For self-nominations, you must have a letter from another individual, but if you are nominating another person, you can provide the letter directly.
This Deacon Davis Diversity Award recognizes significant contributions in advancing belonging and the campus culture related to race and ethnicity on the NIU campus by current NIU undergraduate, graduate, professional students, faculty, supportive professional staff, civil service, academic units, offices, programs or organizations.
The Outstanding Student Award for Women Advocacy recognizes students who demonstrate active engagement in women's issues and advocacy through campus or community engagement, and aspirations and/or activities that advance the representation of women.
The Sharon Howard: Faculty/Staff Who Make a Difference Award acknowledges outstanding dedication to the empowerment of NIU faculty, students or staff by making important contributions to improving the advancement of women's issues and/or the promotion of gender equity in the campus community. This award is open to all faculty and staff.
The Wilma D. Stricklin Award is awarded to an NIU-affiliated individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership/service resulting in a more favorable campus climate for women, provided continual leadership/service over an extended period of time and expended efforts beyond expectations and work responsibilities.
The Outstanding Mentor Award recognizes individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to advancing the career and/or educational goals of NIU women students, staff and/or faculty. This person is someone who consistently acts as an exemplary teacher, coach, advisor, facilitator, resource and creates opportunities that help protégés achieve their goals.
PCSOGI, in partnership with the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, presents the Eychaner Award to individuals affiliated with NIU who have made outstanding contributions that enhance the lives of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBTQ+). Learn more about and nominate someone for the Eychaner Award.