Inclusive Excellence, Community & Belonging

Learn how Mortar Board is leaning into our mission and purpose through inclusive excellence, community building and creating a sense of belonging on campuses and at the national level.


Mortar Board National College Honor Society is proud to have implemented a Standing Committee on Community & Belonging. Implicit in Mortar Board’s purpose is an emphasis on the dignity and worth of every person. The purpose urges our Society “to promote equal opportunities among all peoples, to contribute to the self-awareness of (our) members and to establish the opportunity for a meaningful exchange of ideas as individuals and as a group.” This committee looks to facilitate conversations, policy, and programming to support inclusive excellence, expanding our community, and creating a sense of belonging for all members. As a Society, we continue to emphasize the importance of advocating for and supporting all members. We want to foster a community where all are welcome to show up as their true selves


Community & Belonging Committee

Gabrielle Going (Eastern Illinois University, 2016)
Candi Hironaka Pitts (Oregon State University, 1971))
Vedant Kulkarni (Kansas State University, 2021)
Tamika Lovelace (San Diego State University, 2021))
Elizabeth Payton (Texas Tech University, 2023))
Trish Maxwell (The Ohio State University, 2024)

Inclusive Excellence Award

The Inclusive Excellence Award recognizes chapters for outstanding achievement in creating a sense of community and belonging on campus and in their chapter. These chapters demonstrated projects and initiatives that focus on expanding inclusion, building community, and creating a sense of belonging. A chapter may apply or be nominated by their Region Coordinator.