Culture, Access and Belonging Outstanding Award

The Culture, Access and Belonging Outstanding Award celebrates alumni for their professional accomplishments and service contributions to CANR, their field, and/or to their community, in the areas of culture, access and belonging.

The focus areas of the nominations are as follows:

Career – Accomplishments/Contributions related to Culture, Access and Belonging:

Successful career path and/or entrepreneurial ventures
Career achievements in their field
Professional awards and honors
Publications and Lectures

Service to MSU CANR – Accomplishments/Contributions related to Culture, Access and Belonging:

Leadership through supporting current students and student organizations
Support of the Alumni Council and its initiatives
Participation in alumni programs and events

Community Service – Accomplishments/Contributions related to Culture, Access and Belonging:

Leadership and mentoring of youth
Membership or support of civic, charitable or religious organizations
Other community-related volunteer service or philanthropic support

Definitions for Culture, Access and Belonging:

Culture: A system of shared beliefs and values established within an organization or a group of people.

Access: Ensuring that all faculty, students, and staff have equal access to opportunities and resources, regardless of their abilities or disabilities; requires removing physical and psychological barriers that prevent people from accessing and participating in society to reach their fullest potential.

Belonging: The feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for members of different groups. It is when an individual can bring their authentic self to MSU CANR, AgBioResearch, and MSU Extension.

More information can be found on the CANR Office of Culture, Access and Belonging website.

Past Recipients

Rules for Selection: Nominees must have graduated from MSU CANR University as of June 2020. Alumni association board members cannot be nominated while they are serving on the board. A complete nomination must be submitted and include the nomination form and a detailed list of accomplishments/contributions in any or all of the three focus areas. Optional supporting documentation could include: press releases, articles, resume, publications and support letters.

If not selected in the first year, those submitting a nomination will be given the opportunity to update the nomination packet before consideration the second and third year. If a nominee is not selected within the three years, they will be removed from the nomination pool, but could be nominated again at a later time.

News

Onwenu receives 2025 CANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award

Published on February 10, 2025
Stephanie Onwenu (’18, ’19, School of Planning, Design and Construction) will receive the 2025 CANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award during the annual ANR Awards on Friday, March 7.
Hermiz receives 2024 CANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award

Published on January 31, 2024
Alexis Hermiz will receive the 2024 CANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award during the annual ANR Awards on Friday, March 1.
Eric Clark receives 2023 CANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award

Published on February 20, 2023
Eric Clark will receive the 2023 CANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award during ANR Week.
Rodney Cole receives 2022 CANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award

Published on February 28, 2022
Rodney Cole will receive the 2022 CANR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alumni Award during ANR Week.