Department of Leadership Studies Update on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Planning
The Department of Leadership Studies (DLS) is actively working to create an anti-racist institution where all Black, Indigenous, People of Color and others holding marginalized identities feel safe and supported. This work began with Small Group Conversations, which were conducted with PhD and MA students during Summer 2020. The results of these conversations were the focus of the faculty retreat in September which examined the data from the conversations and faculty discussions. From here, DLS determined it would be crucial to create a strategic plan to guide our diversity, equity and inclusion work.
Earlier this Fall, the department accepted applications from students interested in co-planning the strategic planning process with DLS faculty. Five students were selected, with representation from every program in DLS, to serve alongside four faculty members on the Plan to Action Committee. This committee is charged with co-constructing a strategic planning process for a future DEI committee that will then create a long-term strategic plan to foster sustainable continuity around DEI in DLS, one of the three departments of SOLES. The Plan to Action Committee will lay out goals and objectives for formal planning, with an eye toward crafting an inclusive and thorough process in which students, faculty, and staff can be actively involved.
The committee acknowledges that DEI issues are immediate, painful, and require both short-term and long-term response. As we develop our long-term strategic planning process, we will use any DEI related events that take place to inform our work, such as student letters and desired outcomes, as a foundation for how DLS (and SOLES as a whole) should best respond effectively and quickly to critical incidents when they arise.
Members of the Plan to Action Committee include the following DLS students: Fiorella Morales (PhD program), Sean Green (PhD program), Anthony Bernal (MA NP program), Caitlin Hayles (MA HE program), Bianca Arellano (MA LS program) and the following DLS Faculty: Marcus Lam, Laura Deitrick, Leslie Boozer, and David Karp.
Since the Committee was formed in October 2020, we have accomplished the following:
- Formed an organizational structure with a student and faculty co-chairs.
- Reviewed feedback from the Small Group Discussions that occurred this summer.
- Began reviewing best practices for strategic planning processes.
- Determined an extended deadline to January 2021. This extension will give the Committee time to detail our recommendations and for faculty and students to review them.
- Reviewed various events and communications that have occurred within SOLES as they pertain to DEI and our goal to work towards an inclusive and sustainable plan for the future.
As we navigate our learning process, we will continue to listen to the needs of students, faculty, staff, and administrators within DLS and SOLES to inform our work moving forward. We will continue to provide a transparent and open process.
Please be sure to look at the DLS blog and watch for emails that will come from the committee for regular updates.
On behalf of the Department of Leadership Studies
The Plan for Action Committee