UC Riverside’s University Extension has won an award from a national educational association for the work by a task force to promote diversity and inclusion.

University Extension was one of eight programs and eight individuals announced as winners of the UPCEA Association Awards on Feb. 2. UPCEA, an online and professional education association, will honor recipients at its annual conference March 26-28.

The University Extension Social Justice Taskforce won the UPCEA Leadership in Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Award, which recognizes an individual or program that represents best practices, demonstrates a positive impact, and promotes a cultural shift within the organization.

“For our organization to be the recipient of this award is a significant achievement and honor,” said Kevin Vaughn, University Extension dean. “I am very proud of the Social Justice Taskforce for this amazing accolade, and for all that each member has done to promote diversity and inclusive excellence at UCR University Extension.”

The task force was created in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd, which sparked a national debate over racism and police brutality. Staff members wanted to promote continued actions and create positive change.

The task force implemented several initiatives including elevating statements of solidarity and diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, values; completing a diversity audit of hires; regularly sharing resources on DEI topics; and creating an online DEI training course.

It also established a bimonthly conversation series where staff members can discuss a wide range of diversity and inclusion topics. Past meetings have covered topics such as hair discrimination, pronouns, and language diversity.

Read more about the task force and its work here.