AKA Inclusive Excellence Award
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AKA Inclusive Excellence Award

The American Kinesiology Association (AKA) promotes and pursues an evolving understanding of the importance of human interaction in kinesiology beyond the level of tolerance. AKA believes that inclusive excellence exemplifies an organization’s commitment to efforts that promote both diversity and inclusion with the goal of creating a working and learning environment that encourages varied perspectives and an open exchange of ideas in an unbiased and non-prejudicial way. An organization’s commitment to inclusive excellence is best demonstrated by the strategic, comprehensive, and sustained infusion of diversity and inclusion efforts into the central functions of the academic unit (e.g., recruitment and retention practices, hiring processes, curriculum development, administrative structure, etc.).

AKA is committed to pursuing the development and involvement of diverse and inclusive Kinesiology departments and partnering with other organizations and communities that engage in practices that promote these concepts. AKA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee seeks to recognize academic units that exemplify the core principles of inclusive excellence.

The award criteria require evidence of significant contributions in each of the following areas:

  • promoting an understanding of diversity and inclusion within respective academic units or the field of kinesiology;
  • developing innovative programs, initiatives, strategies, etc. designed to enhance AKA diversity and inclusion; and
  • sustaining a commitment to developing diversity and inclusion in the field of kinesiology through teaching, research, and/or service.
  • demonstrated membership and support of historically underrepresented and/or marginalized individuals.

Administrators or faculty from an AKA-member academic unit are welcome to submit a nomination for their respective academic unit or on behalf of a fellow AKA-member academic unit. It is advised that in advance of nominating an academic unit nominators notify the appropriate unit leadership.

The AKA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will review nominations and select a finalist for the award. The Chairperson of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee will provide the committee’s recommendation to the AKA Executive Committee. The AKA Executive Committee will select the AKA Inclusive Excellence Award recipient. The AKA President will notify the award recipient. The award recipient will be recognized at the annual AKA conference and on the AKA website. The nomination form for the AKA Inclusive Excellence Award can be found below.   The deadline for submitting nomination forms for each year is August 31st at 5:00 pm Central Standard Time. 

If you have questions regarding the nomination process contact Yolisa Duley, Chair of the AKA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (hduley@hawaii.edu).

AKA Inclusive Excellence Award Recipients

2023-2024 Inclusive Excellence Award Recipient – Auburn University (photo)

2021-2022 Inclusive Excellence Award Recipient – Indiana University, Purdue University Indianapolis  (photo)

2020-2021 Inclusive Excellence Award Recipient – California State University, East Bay (photo) (video)

2019-2020 Inclusive Excellence Award Recipient – University of Hawai’i at Hilo (photo) (video)

2018-2019 Inclusive Excellence Award Recipient – San Diego State University (photo) (video)