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Celebration

Spark Award

About the Spark Award

UPDATE: We are currently accepting nominations for the 2026 Spark Award. Nominations will close  on September 12, 2025.

Introduced in 2024, the OMA&D Spark Award honors an individual whose diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership inspires early-career changemakers, and exemplifies the spirit of the Charles E. Odegaard Award. Each year, the award recognizes the accomplishments of a University of Washington alum who graduated within the last 10 years and who has made significant diversity, equity and inclusion contributions during their time as a student and continues to do so post-graduation.

 

Accessible Accordion

2024 – Mariama Suwaneh ’17

2025 – Diana Betancourt Macias ’17, ’20

Who can submit a nomination?

Any person, both internal and external to the University of Washington may submit a nomination for any other person that meets the nomination criteria below.

There is no limit on the number of nominations a person may submit.

Note: self-nominations are not permitted.

Spark Award nomination criteria

Nominees must meet all criteria to be considered:

  • Graduated from the University of Washington with an undergraduate, graduate or professional degree in the past 10 years.
  • Formally connection to OMA&D as a student.
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion leadership, advocacy and/or activism as a UW student, especially within organizations affiliated with the Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) and/or social justice organizations
  • Continued diversity, equity and inclusion leadership, advocacy and/or activism in local, regional, and/or national communities post-graduation.

Nomination process

2026 OMA&D Spark Award Timeline:

Currently Accepting nominations!
Nominations will close: Friday, September 12, 2025

  • The nominator’s name, preferred contact information, and relationship to the nominee. Note: Self-nominations are not permitted.
  • A nomination letter outlining the nominee’s connection to OMA&D, their contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion on campus, in the community, and post-graduation (not to exceed 500 words).
  • A letter of support from a current member of the UW community (not to exceed 500 words).
  • OPTIONAL: Up to five (5) links to materials, articles, or other media that highlight the nominee’s leadership, advocacy, activism and/or impact.

Email a question

Selection Process

A subcommittee of the Friends of the Educational Opportunity (FEOP) Board of Trustees will review nomination materials and select three finalists to be moved forward to the full board for award consideration. The FEOP Board will select the award recipient in fall/winter. The recipient and their nominator(s) will be notified after selection.

For questions, please reach Crissi Mora, Assistant Director of Constituent Relations.