CREATING A CULTURE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION

SU is made ever stronger by the cultivation of an inclusive environment. As the University has grown, so too has the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). During 2022-23, SU hired two new, vital staff members to ODI: Director of Multicultural Affairs Vanice Antrum and Program Administrative Specialist Robert Chin.

Both are SU alumni and fill key roles with the office in support of its mission to inspire a campus culture that reflects and serves all segments of society. The office is rooted in developing policies and practices to serve as a University-wide model for inclusive excellence, ensuring students of every background feel included and supported. In her role, Antrum is responsible for developing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programs in support of the University’s strategic plan, and assisting with efforts to create and sustain programs that embrace and promote ODI’s mission and vision. Chin administers programing and coordinates events for SU’s Powerful Connections orientation program, and assists with the growth and implementation of other diversity- and inclusion-driven initiatives.

In her role, Antrum is responsible for developing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programs in support of the University’s strategic plan, and assisting with efforts to create and sustain programs that embrace and promote ODI’s mission and vision. Chin administers programing and coordinates events for SU’s Powerful Connections orientation program, and assists with the growth and implementation of other diversity- and inclusion-driven initiatives.

The mission of ODI is to provide leadership, build capacity and forge partnerships to facilitate shared responsibility for creating a diverse and inclusive campus in which students, faculty and staff can excel. It directly supports SU’s core value of diversity and inclusion. ODI is committed to providing the campus with tools needed to ensure SU is a welcoming and inclusive living and learning environment. ODI includes the Charles A. Wight Multicultural Center for Equity, Justice and Inclusion; Multicultural Student Services; and the Powerful Connections program.

In spring 2023, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) helped launch new initiatives through the Faculty Fellows Program related to creating a greater sense of belonging on campus. The Faculty Fellows work with senior administrators and shared governance representatives to obtain input on their projects and develop a campus report on their work.The initial phase of the program saw three Faculty Fellows engage in detailed project work covering a wide range of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. One project is dedicated to the design, implementation and assessment of in-person trainings for faculty and staff on topics like implicit bias and identity development. Another project is focused on incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion into teaching, scholarship and service for members of the faculty. The third project is dedicated to supporting DEIB (diversity, equity,

inclusion and belonging) engagement with students, with specific work supporting the IDEAA Special Interest Housing Community and training students on their role in DEI work on college campuses.

All Faculty Fellows are supporting the effort of developing a comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan. To create this strategic plan, Faculty Fellows, along with ODI staff and other campus leaders, are reviewing the University’s strategic plan and campus climate study, and they also are seeking input from students and employees across campus. This plan is being developed on an ongoing basis.

The Faculty Fellows Program was created to have subject-matter experts from SU’s Faculty take an active role in the University’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

SU honored 10 members of the campus community with its 2023 President’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion Awards. SU President Carolyn Ringer Lepre presented the awards as part of Inauguration Week events leading to the installation of Dr. Lepre as the University’s 10th President.

Fostering an environment where the faculty, staff and students of SU feel a sense of belonging is a top priority of the University, and the President’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion Awards celebrates the people who live SU’s values of diversity and inclusion.

Honorees included:

Dr. Jessica Clark, assistant provost for faculty success, for helping SU place an increased focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training, mentoring, and development opportunities for faculty.

In celebration of Transgender Awareness Month, students Celestina Agabi and Grace DePanise worked alongside Amy Jones, SU Libraries head of circulation, to coordinate a gender-affirming closet with SU’s LGBTQ+ Alliance to provide free clothing for transgender and non-binary students.

Dr. Beth Towle, University Writing Center associate director, was recognized for her work in developing the University Writing Center’s workshop programs, including tailored workshops for diverse students.

Dr. Kim Quillin, visiting assistant professor of biological sciences and chair of the ad hoc DEI Committee for SU’s Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, oversaw the launch of the school’s inaugural belonging survey. The data she helped collect through this survey was shared with faculty and staff to increase awareness of DEI opportunities in the Henson School.

Nina Soto Ramirez, College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) director, was honored for her efforts with CAMP, which provides a pathway for migrant, seasonal and temporary farmworkers interested in pursuing degrees, as well as her work with local schools and districts to recruit underrepresented students to SU.

SU students Sandra Jean-Baptiste, Elizabeth Wash and Hunter Whitt were also award recipients. Jean-Baptiste serves as a liaison between clubs and organizations in SU’s Multicultural Alliance and the student body, notable for her recognition of and advocacy for campus DEI efforts. Wash was recognized for her work to promote disability awareness and inclusion, providing mentorship and guidance to newly registered students with disabilities and serving as an advocate for equitable outcomes and intersectionality. Whitt was nominated for his efforts to promote greater inclusivity on campus as an advocate for students with disabilities.