If you would like to nominate a current MSU student, faculty member, staff member or alumni for one of the Accolades categories, please fill out the nomination form below. You will find descriptions of each monthly theme planned for 2026 also below. Please note each theme has a deadline in which to nominate. Nominees are selected based on their demonstrated work to celebrate, support, or honor the relevant community recognized during a given month’s celebration. Any questions please contact Nwando Achebe, Associate Dean for Access, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation at achebe@msu.edu.
To verify that your nominee has not been previously celebrated, please review the list of past features below.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day - January
Black History Month - February
National Women's History Month - March
Arab-American Heritage Month - April
National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - May
Juneteenth - June
Pride Month - June
World Refuge Day - June
Disability Independence Day - July
Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition - August
Women’s Equality Day - August
Hispanic Heritage Month - September
LGBT History Month - October
World Mental Health Day - October
PRIDE Research (Pride Faculty Features) - SPECIAL FEATURED
National Native American Heritage Month - November
Veterans Day - November
Universal Human Rights Month - December
MSU Staff Appreciation - December
International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the millions of Holocaust victims and enjoins individuals to promote programs to prevent further genocides. Submission deadline: November 1, 2025
Black History Month pays honor to the millions of African Americans who have contributed to all aspects of American life. Submission deadline: December 1, 2025
National Women’s History Month highlights the vital role of women in American history. Submission deadline: January 1, 2026
Arab-American Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of Arab-Americans to American life and their struggles to receive full protections as American citizens. Submission deadline: February 1, 2026
National Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month commemorates the efforts of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in shaping the country which we now enjoy. Submission deadline: March 1, 2026
LGBT Pride Month celebrates the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. Submission deadline: April 1, 2026
“Disability Independence Day” celebrates the rights of people with disabilities to enjoy employment opportunities, to purchase goods and services, and to participate in State and local government programs and services. Submission deadline: May 1, 2026
On August 1791, enslaved Africans on the island of St. Domingue mounted a rebellion against the slaveholding elite of the island. August 23 is a UNESCO-designated day to memorialize the plight of peoples of African ancestry around the world, to gain their freedom from enslavement. Submission deadline: June 1, 2026
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Submission deadline: July 1, 2026
World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. Submission deadline: August 1, 2026
Veterans Day/Armistice Day celebrates the end of World War I and all those who have engaged in warfare on behalf of the United States. Submission deadline: September 1, 2026
A month in which we recognize the hard work and contributions of our staff to our shared SSC success. Submission deadline: October 1, 2026