Pictured from left are: Kevin McDonald, J.D.,  National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) Awards Committee Co-Chair and Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion at Rochester Institute of Technology; Leslie Garcia, M.P.A., interim Chief Diversity Officer at Oregon Health & Science University; Benjamin D. Reese, Jr., Ph.D., NADOHE President and Vice President for Institutional Equity at Duke University and the Duke University Health System; and Carmen Suarez, Ph.D., NADOHE Awards Committee Co-Chair and Chief Diversity Officer and Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs at the University of Idaho.

March 30, 2015 -- Leslie Garcia, M.P.A., interim Chief Diversity Officer, Assistant Vice Provost and Director at Oregon Health & Science University, received the   National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) Individual Leadership Award for 2015.

The Individual Leadership Award is presented to a NADOHE member for outstanding contributions to research, administration, practice, advocacy and/or policy, and whose work informs and advances the understanding of diversity and inclusive excellence in higher education.

NADOHE serves as the preeminent voice for diversity officers in higher education. Its vision is to lead higher education towards inclusive excellence through institutional transformation.

Leslie received the award at the 2015 NADOHE annual conference that focused on the theme "Getting It Done: Rising to Opportunities and Challenges in Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education." In addition to the award, OHSU was invited to present about the institutionwide Diversity Action Plan at the NADOHE conference that drew more than 600 faculty and senior leaders who are focused on advancing diversity, inclusion and equity in higher education throughout the nation.

Through Leslie's leadership and ongoing efforts, OHSU's Center for Diversity and Inclusion has grown and expanded to serve faculty, students and staff through a variety of programs, including diversity resources, cultural competency lectures, community outreach, employee resource groups, student pipeline programs, and committees that address diversity, inclusion and equity issues across OHSU. Also, as Co-Chair of OHSU's Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC), Leslie advises the OHSU leadership in matters related to advancing and furthering diversity, inclusion and equity across campus.

Leslie's work in improving the climate of inclusion throughout OHSU is demonstrated by the breadth of projects that she has successfully developed and implemented. With her visionary approach to culture change, she has successfully leveraged resources to expand the capacity of the CDI to serve OHSU's 18,000-member community of students, faculty, researchers, and clinical staff.

In addition, OHSU's diversity initiative has influenced a broad spectrum of community organizations and programs that serve diverse communities focus on ending health disparities and increasing access among underserved communities within the State of Oregon.

About OHSU's Center for Diversity and Inclusion

The Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CDI) at Oregon Health & Science University leads and supports the university-wide initiatives to create an environment of respect and inclusion for all people. CDI is dedicated to fostering partnerships to enhance OHSU's mission of healing, teaching, research and community services. With a range of resources and services, CDI supports and empowers students, faculty and staff from all walks of life, including historically underrepresented populations.