Inclusive Excellence and Justice: Honoring Dr. Elizabeth Sartell’s Teaching, Scholarship, and Com...

In this episode of Faith in Conversation, Dr. Arvie Vitente is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Sartell and Prof. Huma Zia for a special conversation honoring Dr. Sartell as the recipient of the Inclusive Excellence and Justice Award. This award recognizes a faculty member whose teaching, scholarship, and service have made significant contributions to inclusive pedagogy, justice, and community impact. Together, they explore how inclusive excellence is not separate from academic excellence, but deeply connected to it. The conversation highlights Dr. Sartell’s work in interfaith inclusion, curriculum development, anti-bias education, faith-based accommodations, justice-oriented scholarship, and campus belonging. Her contributions include strengthening religious studies curriculum, supporting the Interfaith Calendar and faith-based accommodations process, contributing to anti-bias training resources, and advancing scholarly communities focused on equity and inclusion. This episode invites listeners to reflect on how inclusive excellence and justice are lived through teaching, scholarship, collaboration, and everyday practices that help students, faculty, and communities feel seen, valued, and respected.