Linda Michal Excellence in Diversity Awards

North Idaho College Diversity Council's Excellence in Diversity Awards is a great opportunity to recognize a NIC student, staff, or faculty member whose every day contributions, great or small, help improve diversity and inclusion at the college or in the larger community.

Award Criteria

1. A demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity, and respect for others in the nominee’s public and personal life;  2. A commitment to fostering and promoting an appreciation for diversity, respect, and inclusiveness and the strengths these bring to NIC; and  3. A commitment to the Diversity Core Value “A learning environment that celebrates the uniqueness of all individuals and encourages cultural competency”.

Nominations for 2023 awards open in September of 2022.

About Linda Michal

In 2021, with unanimous consent, the Council moved to amend the award to honor the legacy of the late Linda Michal. Linda was a longtime member of the College and larger area community. Her lasting impact and contributions fully embody the spirit of this award:

“Linda worked at North Idaho College as the director of Student Health and Counseling Services and her last five years as dean of students. Twice during the time at NIC, she served as interim vice president for Student Services. She retired in 2014.

While at the college she was the adviser to the Gay Straight Alliance and was active in establishing and chairing the Crisis Response Team for the college.

Linda always found a calling to serve the marginalized, whether gender, orientation, race, religion or health condition. She felt health was more than just physical and blended all aspects of life into her practice.

She served on the board of North Idaho AIDS Coalition for 10 years, many as president. She volunteered as a nurse practitioner at Lake City Heath Care, which later became Dirne Clinic. Linda was a member of the board of the Human Rights Education Institute for five years. Unity Spiritual Center of North Idaho also was an emphasis in her life.”

-- Obituary, Coeur d'Alene Press

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Past Recipients

2022

Victor Begay, Associate Professor, American Indian Studies
Ciara Platt, NIC Student
Dodi Stilkey, Director of Student Involvement and SUB Operations

 

2021

Brian Seguin, Public Services/Collection Development Librarian
JoSann Lien, Assistant Professor of English
Graydon Stanley, Vice President for Student Services
Tatum Bryan-Metzmaker, Student

 

2020

Lizzie Welker, Student
Nancy Edwards, Senior Administrative Assistant
Laura Templeman, Professor of Philosophy