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The DPI Recognized with 2024 Diversity Award

Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Dr. Jill Underly, state superintendent of public instruction, stands holding the 2024 Diversity Award, flanked by her DPI colleagues.
Dr. Jill Underly (center) holds the 2024 Diversity Award which was presented to the Department of Public Instruction in recognition of the DPI's 2024-26 Equity Plan.


The Department of Public Instruction has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Diversity Award, presented by the State Council on Affirmative Action (SCAA). This prestigious honor recognizes exceptional affirmative action and equal employment opportunity practices, and the department is being celebrated for our 2024–2026 Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. The council established the Diversity Award in 2000 to “recognize state agencies, Wisconsin Technical Colleges and UW campuses for their strong commitment to the recruitment, retention and promotion of a diverse workforce as measured by the creation of programs, initiatives and practices.” 

Read more coverage of the DPI's award here.

The DPI gives special thanks and congratulations to those on our E&I Plan Workgroup and WOC leadership group, whose tireless work made this possible. Your thoughtfulness, ideas and dedication to this initiative played a crucial role in our agency’s success. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion.

This 2024 Diversity Award highlights several key achievements that reflect the DPI's commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace:

  • Increased Workforce Representation: Through targeted recruitment initiatives, we have improved outreach to underrepresented groups and diversified our applicant pools.
  • Leadership Development: Our Leadership Development Program (LDP) provides ongoing leadership training to strengthen the DPI's culture and climate, promoting a more equitable, inclusive, and collaborative workplace.
  • Accessibility Improvements: The DPI’s first in-house American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
  • Workplace Culture: Survey results from our Culture & Climate initiative show measurable increases in staff feeling safe, affirmed, and valued across various demographic groups.

While this recognition is a meaningful achievement, it is important to acknowledge that this does not mean our agency has reached all our goals or resolved all the challenges we face. Rather, it is a reflection of the energy and dedication we have collectively invested in this important work. We will take a moment to celebrate this milestone while remaining focused on the work still ahead.

This recognition is a testament to the collective effort of our DPI community and a reflection of our shared dedication to equity and inclusion. Let’s continue building on this momentum together!

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