Saint Mary’s College Earns 2026 NADOHE Institutional Excellence Award
The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) has awarded Saint Mary’s College with the 2026 Institutional Excellence Award.
Each year, the NADOHE celebrates individuals and institutions for their exemplary achievements and contributions to lead higher education toward inclusive excellence. Each year, nominations for the Inclusive Excellence Awards are submitted on behalf of higher education administrators, scholars and institutions who are leaders in advancing inclusion by means of research, leadership and service.
The Institutional Excellence Award is presented to institutions that have demonstrated measurable progress in promoting and sustaining innovative diversity efforts within their campus community. These efforts may involve, but are not limited to, institutional leadership, curricular reform, institutional transformation, professional development, assessment policies and practices, accountability measures and outreach efforts.
Redgina Hill, Vice President for Belonging, accepted the award on behalf of the Saint Mary’s.
“I am honored to have accepted the Inclusive Excellence Award at NADOHE for the college!” Hill said. “This recognition truly belongs to all of us at Saint Mary's. It reflects our collective work, commitment, and impact. I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
“It is a privilege to recognize this year’s Inclusive Excellence Award winners,” said Emelyn dela Peña, president and CEO of NADOHE. “These individuals and institutions represent the innovation, courage, and commitment required to advance inclusive excellence across higher education and in our communities. Their leadership continues to inspire progress and reminds us that meaningful transformation is possible when we work collectively to build campuses, workplaces, and organizations where all members of our communities can thrive.”
The full list of winners honored at the ceremony held at NADOHE’s recent annual conference are:
- Dr. Frank W. Hale, Jr., Distinguished Service Award: Venessa Brown; Jamal Watson; Faye Jones
- Higher Education Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award: Joana Ojada
- Individual Leadership Award: Tamara Johnson
- Rising Star Award: Randy Williams
- Institutional Excellence Award, Four-Year Private Institution: Saint Mary’s College
- Institutional Excellence Award, Two-Year Institution: Seattle Colleges District
- Outstanding Dissertation Award: angela gay-audre
- Corporate Excellence Award (Small Company): IXE ADVISING Mark A. López and Rosy Escandón
- Corporate Excellence Award (Mid-size Company): Cleveland Guardians Baseball
- Community-Based Non-Profit Organization Award: Asian Americans United (Vivian Chang)
March 30, 2026