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2015 Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity and Interculturalism Unit Excellence Award

The Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity and Interculturalism Unit Excellence Award recognizes an office, program, or department that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and made consistent contributions to advancing diversity and inclusion at UT. The office, program, or department will have implemented sustainable diversity and inclusion initiatives that are linked to their mission. The award is named in honor of Marva Rudolph, an associate vice chancellor and director of the Office of Equity and Diversity who passed away in 2014 after more than twenty years with the university and more than thirty years of dedicated work in diversity and inclusion.

Haslam College of Business Office of Diversity and Community

The Haslam College of Business Office of Diversity and Community is leading the way in the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance campus diversity and inclusivity. The well-established program celebrates the efforts of students, faculty, and staff involved in broadening the viewpoints and dialogue about diversity. Faculty and staff encourage students to better understand that diversity means more than race and that building a greater awareness of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds is critical to working in today’s global marketplace. Central to the office’s mission is recruiting diverse applicants. The office’s annual ten-day summer camp—Business Education for Talented Students, or BETS—is a cornerstone program that exposes students from underrepresented or economically challenged high schools to the business world with the help of area business partners. More than 150 students have participated; sixty-four enrolled in UT, and forty of those ended up majoring in business. The office also facilitates the college’s partnership with the Knoxville Area Urban League’s National Achievers Program, which provides high-achieving students with opportunities for personal and professional development. From its newsletter and diversity job fairs to staff workshops and college-wide Safe Zone training, the Office of Diversity and Community is making a difference every day.