Staff Senate honors Thelma Mack with diversity award
The VCU Staff Senate has honored Research and Education Coordinator Thelma Mack of Tompkins-McCaw Library with the Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Mack was recognized for her tireless efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in library services and programs. Over the course of her 14-year career with VCU Libraries, Mack has been actively engaged with groups and programs that promote diversity inclusion. She was an early member and former Chair of the VCU Libraries Diversity and Inclusion Committee (now the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee). Through her involvement came new opportunities for learning and engaging more with diversity topics for library staff and faculty. In addition, Mack has been active on VCU MLK Day and Black History month planning committees and she actively seeks ways to offer diversity programming through VCU Libraries. Mack is a strong believer that learning more and being informed fosters understanding and builds advocacy for diversity.
These awards are the premier university awards offered within VCU for staff members on both Monroe Park and MCV campuses.
“Thelma inspires those who know her to be more active, engaged, and involved in diversity and inclusion. She ensures that everyone who uses or works in the library feels welcome and that their voice and experience are represented,” said Emily Hurst, deputy director and head of the Research and Education Department at the MCV Campus library.
These awards are the premier university awards offered within VCU for staff members on both Monroe Park and MCV campuses.
According to the Staff Senate website: “Diversity is essential to our mission as a university. It allows us to develop better ideas, respond to the needs of our students, fellow staff members and the university community and ensures that VCU staff can work at their maximum potential.
The VCU Staff Senate Champion of Diversity and Inclusion Award is an honor bestowed to an individual staff member who promotes diversity and inclusive excellence throughout the university. This person enhances the environment of VCU and/or VCU Health and contributes to a sustained commitment to improve opportunities for the diverse communities we serve by spearheading the spirit of diversity, demonstrating awareness of the diverse identities among campus, and increasing diversity through positive communication, innovative methods and embracing our cross-cultural environment.”
The full lineup of honorees for 2020
Categories Awards and Honors, Faculty/Staff