Kirksey honored with Diamond Award

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Media Contact: Sydney Trainor | Communications Specialist | 405-744-9782 | sydney.trainor@okstate.edu

Dr. Jason F. Kirksey, chief diversity officer and vice president for Institutional Diversity at Oklahoma State University, was awarded the Diamond Award Excellence in Education Leadership, Diversity | Equality | Inclusion, Humanitarian & Community Engagement by The Not Alone Foundation, Inc. and The Academy of the Diamond Awards.

Kirksey was recognized Jan. 21 at the Diamond Awards Charity Gala in Atlanta.

“Oklahoma State University is committed to maintaining a culture where all people are valued,” President Kayse Shrum said. “Dr. Kirksey is a champion of that culture and has devoted his career to making a difference in the lives of all students.” 

The Diamond Awards program honors people in the entertainment, corporate and creative industries for their professional accomplishments and contributions to society on a local, state or international level.

“Within the Division of Institutional Diversity and the university as a whole, our focus and goals are centered around effectively impacting the lives of our students rather than recognition and awards. It is, however, wonderful to continue to earn national honors like this Diamond Award for the innovative and tireless efforts to serve and support OSU’s commitment to sustaining and enriching our culture of inclusion,” Kirksey said. “Although I feel fortunate to be recognized individually with this award, it is undoubtedly the result of being surrounded by an amazing team.” 

In his 28th year at OSU, Kirksey has led the institution’s nationally recognized diversity and inclusion efforts for the past 14 years. During this time, he has been instrumental in raising approximately $20 million in private, corporate and foundation philanthropic funds to advance the university’s commitment to sustaining and enriching a culture of inclusion. 

Kirksey has also been awarded more than $10 million in National Science Foundation (NSF) funding focused on increasing the number of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. 

He currently serves as the principal investigator of the NSF-funded Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (OK-LSAMP) program. Kirksey is currently in his second term as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), and he is one the nation’s most highly decorated CDOs in terms of nationally prestigious diversity and inclusion awards.