Alumni Association receives Inclusive Excellence Award from ‘Insight Into Diversity’

The University of Kentucky Alumni Association received the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award from “Insight Into Diversity” magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.  

The award honors alumni association programs, culture and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging for all alumni, regardless of racial or ethnic background, sexual or gender identity, religion, socio-economic status, world view and more.  

Insight Into Diversity magazine selected the UK Alumni Association for this award in recognition of its commitment to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends, the association and the university.  

“At the UK Alumni Association, our mission is to create an inclusive environment where every member of our Wildcat family feels valued, respected and celebrated,” said Jill Smith, associate vice president for stakeholder engagement and executive director of the UK Alumni Association. “Together, we embrace diversity, equity and inclusivity in everything we do and we are committed to creating a community where all alumni can thrive, regardless of background, identity or experience. This award is a testament to our dedication to building a vibrant and welcoming alumni network.” 

Some of the UK Alumni Association activities and programs that were considered in the award selection process include: 

• The UK Alumni Association has partnered with the UK Office of Institutional Diversity to create anniversary events and programming to recognize milestone years since Lyman T. Johnson dismantled racial segregation at the University of Kentucky by becoming the first Black American to attend classes at UK in 1949. In 2024, the university is celebrating 75 years of integration.  
• The annual Black Alumni Reunion brings together Black alumni from across the nation for a weekend of camaraderie, networking and engagement. 
• The Emmett P. “Buzz” Burnam Inclusive Excellence and Expansion Impact Award recognizes individuals who create a community of belonging where they live and work. Buzz Burnam received the inaugural award in 2023, and Cassandra Jean Johnson is the 2024 recipient. 
• The Lyman T. Johnson Torch of Excellence and Torch Bearer awards program honors outstanding and accomplished Black alumni and students from each college that emulates the civil rights work of Lyman T. Johnson. 
• The UK Alumni Association, along with campus partners, have hosted the annual Multicultural Thanksgiving Dinner since 2005. Hundreds of international students and their families enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal with entertainment from various cultures. 
• Affinity groups serve as communities within the larger alumni base allowing individuals to connect based on shared experiences, interests and backgrounds. These include groups for LGBTQ* alumni (PrideCats), Black alumni (Lyman T. Johnson Alumni Constituency Group) and young alumni, among others. There are also plans to launch an Asian American Pacific Islander alumni group in 2024. 
• The UK Alumni Association National Board of Directors reflects and represents the alumni community. It aims to appoint members that are not only racially and ethnically diverse, but also chosen based on major, geographical region, occupation, gender and age. 
• Diverse alumni are regularly featured in the Kentucky Alumni magazine, in e-newsletters and on the association’s social media accounts. The UK Alumni Association website includes links to events and recognitions that celebrate diversity, equity and inclusion. 
• Wildcat Network is an online community where students and alumni connect through groups by major, career interest, geographical area and affinity groups. 

The UK Alumni Association will be featured, along with 31 other recipients, in the June 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine. 

“We know that alumni associations are not always recognized for their dedication to diversity, inclusion and belonging,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine. “We are proud to honor these college and university alumni associations as role models for other institutions of higher education.”  

A call for nominations for this award was announced in February 2024. For more information about the 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.