Exemplifying the UNT Division of Student Affairs’ commitment to diversity and inclusion, Housing and Residence Life received the Inclusive Excellence Award from the Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity for its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The award, along with a monetary gift of $5,000, was presented to the department at the 2018 Equity and Diversity Conference on Feb. 22.

“This award affirms the time, energy and effort many of our staff have put into numerous training and development opportunities,” said Gina Vanacore, executive director of Housing and Residence Life. “We hope that these efforts not only give us the tools to ensure that our students succeed at UNT, but that we work together better as colleagues in the department and across the division.”

The Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity, which supports and affirms efforts across the university that demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, was impressed with the work of the staff in Housing and Residence Life and with their willingness to participate in the inaugural Inclusion, Equity, and Community Building awareness series, which has inspired others across the university to pursue the same organizational capacity for cultural humility and inclusion.

Housing and Residence Life’s efforts to actualize intentional inclusion for its key staff have also assisted the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in their efforts to cultivate institution-specific curricula meeting the needs of students.

“We think that the department’s (Housing and Residence Life) example can be both inspiring and instructive for other departments across the university who wish to institutionalize inclusive practices and competencies,” noted Shani Barrax Moore, director of Diversity and Inclusion.

For more information on Housing and Residence Life, visit http://housing.unt.edu.

Visit DSA News for the latest happenings and successes in the Division of Student Affairs.
Contact: Ray Willhoft, 940-565-2464, raymond.willhoft@unt.edu