"Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope." -Maya Angelou
Enhancement of Multicultural Understanding Award
Nomination forms for the Enhancement of Multicultural Understanding Award are available now!
Faculty, staff, and students of California State University, Chico is invited to nominate individual students or recognized student organizations for the Enhancement of Multicultural Understanding Award. The recipient will be presented $500 and the recipient's name will be placed on a perpetual plaque, which resides in the Student Life and Leadership office. Applications for this award may be sent to the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center, zip 747, or e-mailed to lmasuda@csuchico.edu
Selection Criteria:
This award will be granted to an individual student or recognized student organization and may be in the form of leadership, programs, and events, or other noteworthy activities they were engaged in. In your proposal please indicate the following:
- The extent to which the activity increased multicultural understanding.
Enhancing multicultural understanding: creating, developing, or fostering opportunities to educate the campus and/or community about multicultural communities.
- The number of people who were affected.
- The quality of the program activity.
- Demonstrate a sustained ongoing commitment to a project or initiative that increased multicultural understanding.
Forms are available electronically (PDF) and in the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center, MLIB 172. Nominations must originate from current CSU, Chico faculty, staff, or student and must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3rd, 2025.
2025 Award for Enhancement of Multicultural Understanding recipient: Karen Contreras
- 1. What is the purpose of this award?
This award recognizes individual students or recognized student organizations at California State University, Chico who have made significant contributions to fostering a positive multicultural environment on campus.
- 2. Who is eligible to be nominated?
- Individual CSU, Chico students
- Recognized student organizations at CSU, Chico
- 3. Who can submit a nomination?
Nominations must be submitted by current CSU, Chico:
- Faculty
- Staff
- Students
Self-nominations are typically not accepted unless specified otherwise.
- 4. What does the recipient receive?
The recipient will receive:
- Campus recognition
- A $500 award
- 5. What types of contributions are considered?
Eligible contributions may include:
- Leadership initiatives
- Programs or events
- Educational activities
- Other efforts that promote multicultural understanding
- 6. What are the selection criteria?
Nominations will be evaluated based on:
- Impact on multicultural understanding
- Efforts to educate the campus and/or community
- Number of people affected
- Quality and effectiveness of the activity or program
- Evidence of sustained, ongoing commitment
- 7. Can paid work be considered?Yes. However, nominations must clearly demonstrate how the nominee went above and beyond their job responsibilities to enhance multicultural understanding.
- 8. What supporting materials can be included?
You may include:
- Event flyers or programs
- Testimonials or letters of support
- Photos or reports
- Any documentation that demonstrates impact
Note: Submitted materials will not be returned.
- 9. When is the nomination deadline?All nominations must be submitted by:
Friday, April 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM - 10. When will recipients be notified?Recipients and nominators will be notified by:
Monday, April 13, 2026 - 11. How are nominations reviewed?A selection committee composed of Affinity Center Staff and Faculty.
- 12. When and where will the award be presented?The award will be presented at the:
Student Leadership Awards Ceremony
📅 Tuesday, May 8, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM - 13. How do I submit a nomination?Liz Masuda
Administrative Support Coordinator, Affinity Centers
📧 lmasuda@csuchico.edu
📞 (530) 898-4101 - 14. What should a strong nomination include?
A strong nomination should:
- Clearly describe the nominee’s contributions
- Provide measurable impact (e.g., number of participants)
- Demonstrate long-term commitment
- Include supporting documentation
