We are thrilled to celebrate Dr. Linh Nguyen, Inclusive Teaching Coordinator at NIU’s Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, as a recipient of the 2025 Deacon Davis Diversity Award. This honor, presented by the Presidential Commission on Race and Ethnicity, recognizes individuals and programs that have made significant contributions to improving the status of minorities on the NIU campus.

About the Award

Established in 2004, the Deacon Davis Diversity Award honors the legacy of McKinley “Deacon” Davis, a visionary educator and advocate for equity in education. Davis, a former Harlem Globetrotter and NIU’s first director of special programs, founded the CHANCE Program in 1968 to expand access to higher education for underrepresented students. His lifelong commitment to creating pathways for minority student success continues to inspire our community today.

Honoring Dr. Linh Nguyen

As an immigrant from Vietnam, a woman in STEM, a first-generation college graduate, a mother, and a person of color, Dr. Linh Nguyen brings a rich and multifaceted perspective to her work in higher education. Her lived experiences deeply inform her approach to educational equity, driving her commitment to inclusive, student-centered teaching and learning environments.

Dr. Nguyen’s academic journey is one of perseverance, vision, and purpose. After earning her Ph.D. in chemistry and teaching for over a decade—including time on the tenure track—she made the bold decision to pivot her career to focus on what she calls “the heart of education”: fostering spaces where all students can succeed and belong. In her role at CITL, she supports NIU faculty and graduate assistants through professional development that emphasizes equity, cultural responsiveness, and pedagogical excellence.

Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that academic success is not simply about mastering content—it’s about personal growth, well-being, and the ability to navigate the complex realities of life. Through her work, Dr. Nguyen empowers educators to recognize and uplift the diverse strengths students bring into the classroom, encouraging practices that promote cultural competence, critical thinking, and transformative learning.

Dr. Nguyen exemplifies the spirit of the Deacon Davis Diversity Award through her tireless advocacy for equity, her unwavering commitment to inclusive education, and her powerful role modeling for students and colleagues alike. We at CITL are proud to celebrate her achievements and grateful for the impact she continues to make at NIU and beyond.

Congratulations, Dr. Nguyen!