UAlbany Honors Six Projects with 2026 Inclusive Excellence Awards

Students walking past UAlbany seal

By Amy Geduldig  

ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 12, 2026) — The University at Albany announced the winners of the 2026 Inclusive Excellence Awards, continuing its commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus community. The annual initiative, hosted by the Division of Inclusive Excellence, funds programs led by faculty, staff or graduate students that support equity and belonging across the University.  

This year six innovative projects were selected to receive awards of up to $4,000. Building cultural engagement through experiential learning and educational programming, the projects elevate diverse perspectives and deepen understanding of the UAlbany community.  

“For more than a decade, the Inclusive Excellence Awards have highlighted the vision, creativity and collaborative project and program ideas of UAlbany’s faculty, staff and students,” said Samuel Caldwell, chief diversity officer and vice president for Inclusive Excellence. “As one of the country’s most diverse public research universities, we remain committed to creating an environment where innovation can thrive, where bold ideas can spark dialogue and deepen collaboration among and throughout our campus community. I look forward to the year ahead and to the meaningful programs and initiatives our award recipients will bring to the UAlbany community.”

The 2025-2026 Inclusive Excellence Award recipients are:

  • Cross-Cultural Conversations on Identity and Inclusion by Jenny Yuan, UAlbany Asian Coalition of Professionals — a symposium that offers space for dialogue exploring the social, cultural and political challenges faced by immigrant and AANHPI communities. The event will focus on themes of identity, belonging, leadership, and representation, while providing participants with opportunities to reflect on challenges such as cultural invisibility and organizational climate concerns.    
  • Curls in Context: Reimagining Inclusion, Education and Entrepreneurship in the Beauty Industry by Jade Armstrong, Marketing— an initiative addressing inequities in hair care, education, access and health for people with curly hair types. Through a series of educational events available to the campus community, the program will explore the cultural and historical significance of curly hair, hands-on sessions on DIY product making, and small business showcases that highlight underrepresented entrepreneurs.  
  • Rethinking Poverty: Inspiring Empathy and Action Through an Immersive Learning Experience by Dawn Bleyenburg, Center for Public Health Continuing Education — Through interactive role-play, participants will experience the challenges of securing food, shelter, transportation and childcare while navigating systems. gaining greater understanding of the complex realities of the working poor and the broader issues of social inequity.  
  • African American Read-In: Black Speculative Futures by Aiesha Turman, Writing & Critical Inquiry — UAlbany's campus community is invited to participate in workshops, performances and open readings that help them engage with Black literature, imagination and cultural expression through Afrofuturism and other speculative traditions. Centering this work affirms the intellectual, cultural and creative contributions of Afrofuturist and speculative writers and artists while fostering deeper cross-campus connections.  
  • Dear Professor, May I AI by Kyra Gaunt, Music and Theater — Encouraging open dialogue, reflection and collective problem-solving, this communal art and listening initiative seeks to center the student voice in discussions around the rapid, disruptive rise of AI.
  • Say More – Bringing Voice and Visibility to Student Caretakers by Nicole Cosentino, Academic Progression and Success — Connecting student caretakers with local resources, academic advancement opportunities and dedicated gathering spaces, this initiative creates visibility for those responsible for the care and support of others. “Say More” will equip these scholars and the faculty and staff who advocate on their behalf, with education and resources tailored to their needs.

The Inclusive Excellence program (formerly known as the Diversity Transformation Awards) was established during the 2012-2013 academic year. Following a competitive review process, a selection committee composed of campus representatives and students identified six projects poised to make a meaningful impact in advancing the University’s mission of inclusive excellence.  More information about the awards is available here.

UAlbany continues to earn national recognition for its commitment to access and opportunity. As an R1 research institution, the University is dedicated to expanding opportunities for underrepresented students and future professionals. This year, UAlbany received its eighth consecutive Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Academia magazine, which recognizes institutions that demonstrate outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.  

The University is also been ranked among the nation’s top institutions for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. UAlbany was named an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution and recently received recertification for the Seal of Excelencia from Excelencia in Education, affirming its commitment to ensuring Latina and Latino students are supported and thriving academically.