The GCSU Inclusive Excellence Award

Ms. Whiteside serves as the Coordinator of the National Scholarships Office and the Assistant Director of the Honors College. In her nomination, Ms. Whiteside was praised for her tireless effort "to recruit, retain, and secure national scholarship opportunities for underrepresented students. She collaborates regularly with campus organizations on DEI initiatives. And she consistently exhibits individual and team behaviors that promote DEI on our campus."

GC THRIVE is an Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Program that enables young adults with intellectual disabilities, ages 18-28, to attend college with their non-disabled peers. As the program directors, Drs. DeClouette, Wills, and Sumowski garnered the attention of one of their nominators. "In addition to their full-time job responsibilities, the THRIVE directors developed all parts of the program, collaborated with numerous units and offices across campus, secured grant funding, and hired staff. Without the vision and leadership of the THRIVE directors, there would be no GC THRIVE Program. Due to their vision and hard work, THRIVE students have opportunities to attend college in preparation for their lives beyond college. Georgia College students have opportunities to learn first-hand about their peers with intellectual disabilities. They learn how to support each other, and maybe even develop friendships with each other. Georgia College faculty learn how to creatively design their instruction to make it accessible for the range of learners in their classrooms. To put it succinctly, the GC THRIVE Program benefits all!"