Emory University Chief Diversity Officer Carol Henderson has received the Rising Star Award from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE). The honor was presented this spring as part of the organization’s 2023 Inclusive Excellence Awards.
“This year’s winners have demonstrated an impressive commitment to transforming higher education so that all may thrive on our campuses — a commitment NADOHE shares,” says NADOHE President Paulette Granberry Russell. “At a time when diversity, equity and inclusion is needed more than ever, it is vital that we lift up the excellence of our colleagues and celebrate their successes.”
The Rising Star Award is presented to a NADOHE member in good standing who has served as a chief or senior diversity officer for at least three years, but no more than 10 total years at a higher educational institution. Winners are selected based on how their “exceptional contributions to research, administration, practice, advocacy and/or policy inform or advance the understanding of diversity, equity and inclusive excellence in higher education.”
“Since becoming Emory’s first chief diversity officer in 2019, Carol has partnered with colleagues across the university to foster important conversations and actions that help us live out our institutional commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” says Ravi V. Bellamkonda, Emory University provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “We are very proud of this national recognition of her leadership and fortunate to benefit from her expertise and guidance as we work together to create an inclusive climate where all at Emory can thrive.”
Henderson joined Emory in August 2019, serving as chief diversity officer, vice provost for diversity and inclusion, and adviser to the president.
“From her first days at Emory, Dr. Henderson has stressed listening and action,” Joel Baumgart, Emory’s associate vice provost for faculty success and recognition, noted in a letter nominating Henderson for the award, which was presented April 14. “She began by conducting cross-campus listening sessions that elicited persistent themes about the climate and culture practices on campus and what changes were needed. Those themes were translated into tangible outputs, as her office enhanced intercultural competencies in classrooms, curricula and workspaces.”
A few highlights of Henderson’s accomplishments at Emory included in the nomination letter:
- Collaborating with campus partners to help Emory institute the Religious Accommodation Policy and the Emotional Support Animal Policy;
- Co-chairing the nationwide symposium “In the Wake of Slavery and Dispossession: Emory, Racism and the Journey Towards Restorative Justice”;
- Co-chairing the Business Diversity Advisory Council with Emory's procurement office;
- Instituting a 70+ person comprehensive diversity strategic planning process.
“It should be noted that all of Dr. Henderson's accomplishments at Emory have occurred over the last three years — including standing up a new office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the middle of a pandemic,” concluded Baumgart, who serves in Emory’s Office of Faculty Affairs. “We believe Dr. Henderson's impressive eight-year career in inclusive excellence practices warrants this illustrious award.”
Additional honors for DEI achievements
Henderson was also honored earlier this year at the 2023 Diamond Awards for Excellence in Education Leadership; Diversity, Equality, Inclusion; Humanitarian and Community Engagement.
Presented by the Not Alone Foundation, the Diamond Awards are “designed to honor faces and images of excellence in the entertainment, corporate and creative industries for their professional accomplishments and contributions to our society on a local, state or international level.”
Emory University was named a 2022 recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, a national honor recognizing colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. The extensive HEED Award application documented Emory’s efforts in dozens of areas, including increasing and supporting diversity among students, faculty, staff and community collaborations.
The HEED awards are given by INSIGHT into Diversity Magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, based on an in-depth application process. Emory was among 103 recipients featured in the November 2022 issue of the magazine.
“Diversity is woven throughout the fabric of Emory and we are honored to receive the HEED Award in recognition of our efforts,” Henderson said at the time. “Emory is on a wonderful trajectory to strengthen and elevate our justice, equity, diversity and inclusion efforts in ways that are transformative and meaningful for not only our students, faculty and staff, but for the greater Atlanta and global communities writ large.”