Diversity & Inclusion Award
The Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes a community member who supports the broad range of backgrounds and experiences at VIMS and who works to create and foster a respectful, cooperative, and equitable campus environment.
The recipient of the Diversity and Inclusion Award for 2019 is DaNika Robinson.
DaNika has truly been a motivating force as co-chair and now very active ex-officio member of VIMS’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force, impressing fellow “DiveIn” members with her deep insight, consideration, and commitment to these fundamental issues.
Her many contributions were well summarized by a fellow member of the DiveIn committee, who wrote that DaNika’s “wonderful combination of strength, clarity of thought, and humor have helped guide VIMS to a better place in regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion.” Indeed, these qualities make her a perfect ambassador for promoting the goals of diversity and inclusion as hallmarks of the VIMS community.
DaNika has also made her mark as VIMS’ first representative to the diversity committees at William & Mary. In this position she uses her passion, commitment, and perspective to provide an effective and comprehensive conduit for information to and from main campus.
When people talk about DaNika, they talk about her results-minded perspective. She challenges colleagues to think clearly about their goals and how to most effectively achieve them, frequently asking: "What is the goal, and what do you need to reach it?" Thanks to her leadership, VIMS is now recognized as a leading group for diversity and inclusion at William & Mary and beyond.
Congratulations, DaNika!