Faculty/Staff Champion Award

The KU Black Alumni Network (KUBAN) will select and honor two Winter 2024-Summer 2025 graduates with the inaugural L.I.N.C Award for Leadership, Involvement, Networking & Community.


These two students will be chosen based on their capacity for leadership, involvement in the KU community, and their ability to network with a wide variety of students and organizations. The selected recipients of L.I.N.C Award will each receive a KU branded carry-on suitcase, a certificate from the KU Black Alumni Network, and a complimentary one-year KU Alumni Association membership.


All applications will be screened, and finalists will be selected by the KUBAN Leadership Team.

About the Award

The Emerging Leaders Award is aimed at highlighting recent graduates who had a measurable impact on the University of Kansas and are poised to make an impact in their profession and their community.

 

These two students will be chosen based on their capacity for leadership, involvement in the KU community, and their ability to network with a wide variety of students and organizations. The selected recipients of L.I.N.C Award will each receive a KU branded carry-on suitcase and a certificate from the KU Black Alumni Network.

 

All applications will be screened, and finalists will be selected by the KUBAN Leadership Team.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria
  • This award is open to all Jayhawks.
  • Applicants must be a Winter 2025-Summer 2026 graduate:
    • Undergraduates, Masters, Doctorate (EdD, PhD) and JD
    • Degree type (i.e. BA, BGS, MA, MBA, EdD, PhD, JD, etc.)
  • Applicants must have maintained a cumulative GPA equal to or greater than a 3.0.
  • Applicants must submit an application, supply one reference letter and the contact information for the reference, a personal statement, and a résumé or CV.
    • The reference letter must be from a KU faculty, staff, administrator, or Staff Advisor.
  • Applications are due by Wednesday, April 1.
About the Award

The Dr. Sherwood Thompson Faculty/Staff Champion Award, introduced in 2023, is given to faculty/staff members at KU who are staunch advocates for student success. This award is designed to recognize faculty/staff who go above and beyond to engage, support and uplift KU students in support of both academic and personal goals.

 

This award is named in honor of Dr. Sherwood Thompson (1952-2020), who served as the Director of the Office of Minority Affairs at the KU from 1991-1999. During that time, he worked alongside students of color in the quest for equity and visibility at KU. He was a well-respected friend and mentor who was intentionally committed to working with students of color to help them achieve their goals and graduate on time. Dr. Thompson was the inaugural honoree (posthumously) and his widow, Dr. Dori Crawford Thompson, accepted this award on his behalf.

 

Nominations are due May 15 at 11:59 p.m. CT.

Application

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Nominator's Information

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Nominee’s Information

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Supporting Documentation

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A letter of nomination that includes a narrative supporting the nomination, including a discussion of the candidate's contributions to student success at KU.
Max. file size: 1 MB.
Max. file size: 1 MB.
Articles highlighting student engagement, student testimonials, other awards, club sponsorships, etc.

Nominations are due by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. CT. For questions, contact Jordan Counts at jordancounts@kualumni.org.

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