DeVon Wilson, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) for the UW–Madison College of Letters & Science, will be among the recipients of a Diamond Award from the Not Alone Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 27, 2024. Wilson, who has served in this role since 2021, was recognized in the category of Academic Leadership: Excellence in Higher Education.
“I’m thrilled to see DeVon recognized, at a national level, for the important work he continues to do for the College in the critical areas of inclusion and student success,” says Eric Wilcots, Dean of the College of Letters & Science. “There is no excellence without diversity in all its forms. Promoting the success of underrepresented faculty, staff and students is one of our most important priorities, and DeVon has been essential to advancing that mission.”
Wilson has extensive experience in academic administration. A first-generation student, he holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Beloit College and a master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University. His career at UW began in 2006 and includes stints as diversity coordinator for the College of Letters & Science and director of what is known today as the College’s Center for Academic Excellence (CAE). CAE grew out of the Five-Year Program, an effort designed to offer equal educational opportunities and experiences to underrepresented students seeking an education at UW–Madison.
“Giving students from all walks of life the opportunity to find themselves at UW–Madison is what my career has largely been about,” says Wilson. “That comes through creating a community where students feel seen and valued for their strengths, backgrounds and viewpoints. That’s how we have always defined student success at UW–Madison.”
Wilson’s role as Associate Dean for DEIB also includes supporting research and curriculum planning initiatives that advance diversity. On the national level, he has advised chief diversity officers at private and public universities through the Center for Strategic Diversity Leadership and Social Innovation in Georgia.
“I’m a living example of how a liberal arts education took an individual from challenging life circumstances to a career focused on institutional transformation,” says Wilson. “I’m fortunate to be able to use my experience to help others have the same kind of opportunity, and I’m deeply honored to have my efforts recognized by the Not Alone Foundation.”
The Not Alone Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of kidney disease and enhancing the quality of life of sufferers by providing educational and medical resources and financial assistance for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and their families.
The Diamond Awards honor faces and images of excellence in the entertainment, corporate and creative industries for their professional accomplishments and contributions to society on a local, state, or international level. Previous Diamond award winners have included famous entertainers, politicians and activists.