Programs and Initiatives
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Diversity Cord Project
The Office of E&I views the adaptation of equity, diversity, and inclusion as both processes and goals in supporting faculty, staff, and student development efforts as critically engaged citizens. Subsequently, the Diversity Cord Project offers curricular and co-curricular learning experiences for faculty, staff, and students through diversity engagement opportunities. Students must participate in eight diversity engagement opportunities, prior to graduation. Both the option of experiences and timeline can be flexible to meet students’ interests, needs, and course schedules. Undergraduate students are eligible to start this program at any time, even their senior year. However, they must complete all diversity engagements, prior to graduation. Graduate students and faculty are also eligible to participate in the Diversity Cord Project. Upon completion of the program, graduate and undergraduate students will receive a diversity cord, which can accompany their graduation regalia.
Equity & Inclusion Committee
The Equity & Inclusion Committee is composed of elected/selected faculty, staff, and student representatives of CEHS to support the work of the Association Dean for Equity & Inclusion. This committee is centrally concerned with creating both learning opportunities and a sense of belonging for different groups who have been historically underrepresented, underserved, and under-resourced in academia. Subsequently, the E&I Committee makes intentional efforts to host events, activities, programs, and initiatives that are inclusive to said populations. In addition, the E&I Committee seeks to be an advocate for underrepresented groups by raising and addressing their concerns to the larger CEHS Leadership Team.
Professional Development
The Office of E&I specializes in equity/justice – based approaches to scholarship/research and teaching. Subsequently, we work with faculty/graduate students to assist in the development of culturally relevant curriculum for their classes; provide guest lecture opportunities around special topics of interest; and support different epistemological and methodological frames within a critical and cultural studies lens, regarding research. We can also accommodate graduate student workshops to address engaged citizenship competencies in preparation and planning for the job market.
Partnerships, Public Impact and Community Innovation
The Office of E&I views community-engaged innovation as central to developing and sustaining long term relationships with diverse constituencies – locally, regionally, statewide, nationally, and internationally. Hosting pre-college students on campus, working with local stakeholders, based on their organizational needs in relation to critical learning opportunities with faculty and students; and building collaborative networks with schools and other cultural learning sites can stimulate diverse recruitment, cultivate inter-disciplinary knowledge, and expand partnership opportunities. The Office of E&I works with faculty and staff to create CEHS – community connections to facilitate and explore outreach possibilities.