Registration Now Open!
February 24, 2026
The Sister Sally Furay Exemplary Faculty & Staff Awards are open to all University employees and seek to recognize nominees who demonstrate a sustained commitment to justice for communities historically marginalized for their race and ethnicity.
Nominees should have contributed to the promotion of an inclusive and diverse campus climate through their ongoing work in:
- Advocacy for and mentorship of others
- Commitment to effecting structural change
- Development of innovative programs and initiatives
- Substantial contributions to USD's inclusive excellence goals
The Sister Sally Furay Exemplary Faculty & Staff Awards were founded in 2021 in response to the Black Faculty Letter of 2020, which pointed to the opportunity to recognize and reward under-recognized labor on campus that fosters the mentorship of our diverse community members and other substantial contributions to cultural change.
Members of the Sister Sally Furay Exemplary Faculty & Staff Awards Committee will review the nominations and select two awardees (one faculty and one staff or administrator), for monetary awards from each of USD's units: the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Leadership and Education Sciences, Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, Knauss School of Business, Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, School of Law, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, Division of Professional and Continuing Education, and Copley Library.
Current faculty, staff, and administrators are eligible for nomination. Nominees must be faculty, staff, and administrators. Prior awardees are not eligible. Nominations can be held over for one year and will be read by the current year’s committee.
The selection rubric can be viewed here.
The recipients of the awards will be announced during the Sister Sally Furay Exemplary Faculty & Staff Awards Luncheon and Program on February 24, 2026 from 12-2pm in UC Forum C. This event is open to all campus community members and registration is required and will be opening in January 2026.
For questions or accommodation needs, please contact Nicole Turner, The Center for Cultural Development: nturner@sandiego.edu.
About the Awards
The Sister Sally Furay Exemplary Faculty & Staff Awards were founded in 2021 in response to the Black Faculty Letter of 2020, which pointed to the opportunity to recognize and reward under-recognized labor on campus that fosters the mentorship of our diverse community members and other substantial contributions to cultural change.