2026 State Council on Affirmative Action
Impact Awards
and
Virginia Hart Special Recognition Award
27th Annual State Council on Affirmative Action Impact Awards
The State Council on Affirmative Action (SCAA) established the SCAA Awards Program in 2000 to recognize the achievements of outstanding Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) practices among individuals, state department agencies, Wisconsin Technical Colleges, and University of Wisconsin System campuses.
Influence Award
The Influence Award recognizes state agencies that have provided innovative and inclusive solutions to ensure prompt and effective services for all Wisconsinites and that have supported and grown an inclusive state workforce that understands the impact of decisions and provides services to meet the needs of the people of Wisconsin.
The Ann Lydecker Educational Innovation Award
As part of this Awards Program, the Council created the Educational Award in 2003 and renamed it in 2004 in honor of the late University of Wisconsin–River Falls Chancellor Ann Lydecker. This award recognizes exceptional efforts to recruit and retain an innovative, experienced, and skilled faculty workforce and to foster learning environments in which students thrive, as demonstrated by data showing improved educational outcomes.
Outstanding Leadership and Lifetime of Service Awards
The Outstanding Leadership and Lifetime of Service awards were created in 2019 in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the SCAA Award program. These awards recognize state employees in leadership roles or with 15+ years of service, employed by or recently employed by, state agencies, Wisconsin Technical Colleges and University of Wisconsin system campuses who have exhibited exemplary leadership in the areas of recruitment, retention and workforce culture. These awards are given to individuals who have created and sustained inclusive, mindful, and positive work environments that promote access and opportunity for all employees.
The Virginia Hart Award
The Virginia Hart Award recognizes the service of individuals in state government employment whose contributions to clients, co-workers, or the public are substantial. The award was established for Virginia Hart, Wisconsin's first woman cabinet member, upon her retirement in 1983. Her friends and colleagues established a fund so that each year an individual in Wisconsin state service could be recognized for exemplary performance and contribution to the citizens of Wisconsin. The award is facilitated by the Department of Administration and funded by donations to the Virginia Hart Awards fund within the Wisconsin Women in Government (WWIG) organization. More information on this award and how to make a nomination can be found on the
Virginia Hart Award page.
The State Council on Affirmative Action members in the Wisconsin State Capitol Assembly Chambers
with Governor Evers and Lieutenant Governor Sarah Rodriguez.
How to Make a Nomination
The 27th Annual nomination period is now open for the State Council on Affirmative Action Impact Awards. Nominations are due by
Friday, September 11, 2026. The 2026 criteria to nominate for the awards is available at the links below.