Named in honor of Josie R. Johnson, a pioneering leader in civil rights and educational access, this award recognizes individuals whose sustained leadership has advanced inclusion and expanded opportunity at the University of Minnesota. The award honors a legacy of courage, service, civic engagement and institutional transformation.
Within the framework of Elevate Extraordinary 2030, the Josie R. Johnson Award awardees exemplify civic engagement and pluralistic leadership by bridging difference, mentoring others, and engaging in inclusive practices that contribute to long-term institutional change.
Nomination Information
All nominees and nominators must be current faculty, staff, or students at the University. Student nominees must be in good academic standing and registered at the University of Minnesota during the semester of their nomination. Self-nominations are not accepted.
The awards will be presented at the University of Minnesota Equity and Diversity Breakfast in November 2025.
Nominations are due to the Office for Equity and Diversity by 11:59 pm on October 24, 2025. To nominate an individual for the Josie R. Johnson Award, the following items must be submitted using our online form, which can be found here:
- A letter of nomination
- The nominee’s current résumé or curriculum vitae
- A personal statement from the nominee reflecting on their values and personal commitment to human rights and social justice
- Two letters of support documenting the nominee’s contributions to human rights and social justice
Nomination Guidelines
For faculty and staff who are nominated, special consideration will be given to those who perform their human rights and social justice work over and above their daily work at the University of Minnesota.
- Producing or presenting scholarly work, which significantly improves others’ understanding of the complex dynamics of difference in its various manifestations and multiple dimensions.
- Promoting the advancement of human rights and social justice through involvement on campus and/or in the external community.
- Demonstrating an ability and ongoing commitment to preparing and empowering others as effective advocates for social equality.
- Possessing an admirable strength of character that inspires others to continue personal development in the area of human rights and social justice.
Note: The above list provides examples of work that the committee will be looking for as it reviews nominations, but it is by no means an exhaustive list of possible avenues of service.
