National Institutional Excellence Award Presented to Seattle Colleges

June 30, 2026

Seattle Colleges has received the 2026 Institutional Excellence Award (Two-Year Institution) from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), a recognized leader in the national conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion in postsecondary education. The award was presented at the Association’s 19th annual conference, held earlier this spring in Chicago.

As one of NADOHE’s annual Inclusive Excellence Awards, the Institutional Excellence Award is presented to institutions that have demonstrated measurable progress in promoting and implementing innovative diversity efforts within their campus community. These efforts may involve, but are not limited to, institutional leadership, curricular reform, institutional transformation, professional development, assessment policies and practices, accountability measures, and outreach efforts.

“Winning an award of this magnitude means our beloved students, alumni, staff, faculty, administrators, external members, chancellor, presidents, trustees, and the entire Seattle Colleges community are being seen—seen for their commitment and dedication over the years in striving to become an antiracist and anti-bias institution that centers leading with racial equity in our policies, infrastructure, and culture,” said D’Andre Fisher, Associate Vice Chancellor for the Division of Access, Community, and Opportunity (ACO) at Seattle Colleges.

“Our work is firmly embedded in our mission and values that hold space for our voices to support one another; articulate differences; have an intellectual curiosity that seeks to understand in truth-telling, embraces change, and centers on students; and carry a willingness to take accountability while understanding that disruption and discomfort is part of growth on this journey,” added Fisher.

Above: a group of staff members from the Division for Access, Community, and Opportunity at Seattle Colleges with the NADOHE Institutional Excellence Award, including from left, Carlos Serrano, D'Andre Fisher (back), Nyles Austin (seated), Kate Montgomery, Jared Rogers (back), Patrica Allen-Dick, Jerod Grant, Marissa McDowell, Sybrina Woodson, Kiana Fuega, Kano Cheng (holding award), Julius Lloyd (back), Reed Rodgers, Carolina Forero. Not all staff members were able to appear for this photo.

A Legacy of Work Rooted in Social Justice

Fisher has served as associate vice chancellor for ACO at Seattle Colleges since early 2023, and he has helped coalesce and strengthen efforts by building on the work done at North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College in the years prior to his arrival and coordinating and focusing the ACO staff across Seattle Colleges.

“Seattle Colleges has a deeply rooted legacy in social justice and activism—from long before ‘DEI’ was an acronym, before being bundled into three letters—it was seen as the community’s responsibility,” said Fisher. “This work cannot be done by one division within the system but as a collective. There are so many initiatives, programs, and people over the years that invested their time, talents, and passion into fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment that benefits all. We salute and extend a heartfelt appreciation to the many members of our beloved Seattle Colleges community and their unwavering efforts to address systemic barriers to closing opportunity gaps, increasing access, retention rates, job placements, and representation in and outside the classroom.”

Fisher added, “I’m reminded of an ancient African word ‘Ubuntu’ meaning humanity to others. It reminds us that ‘I am what I am because of who we all are’ and includes honoring all the ways we show up as human and honoring our social identities, health, wellness, and mental abilities. This work is done from the heart, centering the communities we serve. This work is not flashy; it is complex and system changing. There are no quick fixes transforming deeply embedded inequities within a system or culture.”

Chancellor Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap acknowledged the work and the dedication that brought the NADOHE Institutional Excellence Award to Seattle Colleges, saying “Thank you to the Seattle Colleges community for your unwavering commitment to the advancement of inclusive excellence across our district. I echo the words of Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of beloved Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, ‘The task is not done. The journey is not complete. We can and we must do more.’ These powerful words remind us that while we’ve made strides as a community and we will celebrate them. We must remember that the task is not done; we still have collective work to complete.”

About NADOHE and Its Inclusive Excellence Awards

Through its annual Inclusive Excellence Awards, NADOHE celebrates individuals and institutions for their exemplary achievements and contributions to lead higher education toward inclusive excellence. Each year, nominations for the awards are submitted on behalf of higher education administrators, scholars and institutions who are leaders in advancing inclusion by means of research, leadership, and service.

“It is a privilege to recognize this year’s Inclusive Excellence Award winners,” said Emelyn dela Peña, president and CEO of NADOHE. “These individuals and institutions represent the innovation, courage, and commitment required to advance inclusive excellence across higher education and in our communities. Their leadership continues to inspire progress and reminds us that meaningful transformation is possible when we work collectively to build campuses, workplaces, and organizations where all members of our communities can thrive.”

NADOHE is a membership organization designed for professionals and institutions of higher education to become equipped with the necessary tools to advance equity, inclusion, and the value of belonging within their campus communities, using evidence-based practices. Through its signature Standards of Professional Practice, Chief Diversity Officer Fellows Program, Framework for Advancing Equity, and peer-reviewed Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, it provides diversity professionals with the resources to be successful in their roles. Learn more at www.nadohe.org.

About Seattle Colleges

Seattle Colleges is Washington state’s largest and most diverse community college district with approximately 33,700 students enrolled and 2,000 employees (2024-2025 academic year). It is composed of North Seattle College near Northgate, Seattle Central College on Capitol Hill, South Seattle College in West Seattle, and specialty training centers across the city. Seattle Colleges offers more than 130 workforce education and training programs including bachelor’s degrees in high-growth industries, associate degrees in various disciplines, and transfer degrees to universities throughout the United States, as well as numerous certificate programs. For more information, visit seattlecolleges.edu.