Dr. Earleen Patterson Receives SIU System ADEI Lifetime Achievement Award
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Earleen Patterson, PhD, associate vice chancellor for Student Opportunities, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, received the inaugural Southern Illinois University System Antiracism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) Lifetime Achievement Award. Patterson was recognized at the Board of Trustees meeting on Thursday, April 27.
“I was both humbled and honored to receive this recognition,” said Patterson. “ADEI matters because it is dedicated to the truth and has such an essential role in the pursuit of justice. This is truly what makes this honor so meaningful to me.”
The 2023 SIU System ADEI Lifetime Achievement Staff Award is presented to an individual whose outstanding contributions and positive impact on cultivating an inclusive culture and advancing justice and belonging for SIU stakeholders.
“Dr. Patterson is, indeed, a powerful advocate and an effective voice for diversity, inclusion, and equity on the SIUE campus,” said Sheila Caldwell, EdD, vice president for ADEI and chief diversity officer during Patterson’s award presentation. “Her students describe her as phenomenal, inspirational, charismatic and compassionate.”
“I am thrilled Dr. Patterson is receiving this award because she embodies the work of ADEI,” Caldwell continues. “When people ask what we mean when we use those terms, we can now point to Dr. Patterson as someone who is a life-long active contributor who goes into SIU and society and does justice work. Her lifelong dedication and commitment to antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion has fortified and invigorated our students, community, and society.”
Patterson has served SIUE since 1994 as director of Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR) and her most recent role as associate vice chancellor since 2021. She has taken a holistic approach to promoting the engagement, retention and graduation of underrepresented students, based on a foundation of research, leadership and vision.
Patterson works to advance university goals with respect to anti-racism and student success through a significant, campus wide scaling of services and programming to support the social and academic thriving of historically underserved students.
“I am grateful to represent the work and mission of our incredible institution,” Patterson concluded. “I have the opportunity to touch the lives of young people in such a meaningful way.”
Photo: (L-R) Sheila Caldwell, EdD, vice president for ADEI and chief diversity officer, SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, SIU System President Dan Mahoney, PhD, Earleen Patterson, PhD, associate vice chancellor for Student Opportunities, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at SIUE, and Judge J. Phil Gilbert, chair of SIU board of trustees.
