The Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs aims to create a campus climate that advocates for equal access, participation, representation, inclusiveness, and community for all. Many initiatives and projects support this work.
In September 2020, Monica Johnson was appointed as the associate vice president for Diversity Education and Cross-Cultural Engagement at Indiana University (DECCE). DECCE facilitates various educational opportunities across IU campuses for staff, faculty, and students, with the goal of fostering an inclusive and respectful environment that encourages dialogue and interaction about issues related to equity, social justice, and diversity.
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Pamela Braboy Jackson came on board in May 2022 as IU’s first associate vice president for faculty and belonging. This critical role focuses on diversifying IU faculty; creating a new generation of scholars and administrators; developing and presenting programs and workshops focused on faculty recruitment and retention efforts; cultivating partnerships with minority-serving institutions and organizations; and participating in various research and scholarly activities.
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In November 2021, Rashad Nelms was named executive-inresidence in the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs. As part of his work, Nelms concentrates on diversifying faculty and leadership appointments across the university; enhancing the knowledge and skills needed by undergraduate and graduate students to succeed in today’s global workforce; and serving as an executive coach to mid-level and senior university administrators and the OVPDEMA management team.
Nelms also is a general resource on issues relating to diversity and inclusion for units within OVPDEMA and across the university, with the goal of attracting a new pipeline of diverse candidates.
On June 8-11, 2022, Indiana University held the first national HIV conference at a major university titled "Stepping Into the 5th Decade—Evolving Our Response to HIV." Designed to provide information and unite around the goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030, the conference included workshops, presentations by national leaders and researchers, free HIV testing and resources, and multiple community dialogue sessions. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
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On January 17, 2022, Indiana University celebrated the 36th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday in the United States. An essential component of the event included the second annual social justice conference titled, "A Journey Toward True Education." The conference theme was taken from "The Purpose of Education," written by Martin Luther King Jr. and published in the Morehouse campus newspaper, The Maroon Tiger, in 1947.
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The Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs focuses on change and envisioning better tomorrows for new generations of students, faculty, staff, and the community. Through the generous support of alumni and friends, gifts of time, talent, and treasure are making a difference.
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The Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs supports high-impact projects that foster an inclusive, nurturing environment for diversity on all Indiana University campuses and communities we serve. These sponsorships support both on and off campus experiences hosted by university and community partners. Sponsorships align with one more of the following office priorities: outreach, climate, advocacy, recruitment, and or retention efforts.
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As a way to broaden its focus on diversity and equity, Indiana University collaborates with other equity-minded community groups and organizations on numerous programs and special events.
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Indiana University has made a bold commitment to serve as an exemplar institution on social justice initiatives. An endowed gift made by Jane and Jay Jorgensen provides an opportunity to advance this mission. The Jane Jorgensen Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Internship is designed to empower students and help them become leaders who possess the skills needed to transform society and be recruited as top candidates to further diversify IU’s professional staff.
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the hallmarks of an outstanding higher education institution. Recently, IU’s Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs (OVPDEMA) honored the people behind this work with the inaugural Luminary Award.
The recipients of the Luminary Award for outstanding DEI work included Maqubè Reese, M.S.W., associate director of diversity initiatives for the IU Kelley School of Business; Karina Garduno, M.S. Ed., director (formally assistant director) of the IU Indianapolis Multicultural Center, Rosalyn Davis, Ph.D., clinical associate professor of psychology at Indiana University Kokomo; Alvaro Tori, M.D., FAAP, associate dean at the IU School of Medicine; and Sam Young II, interim director (formally associate director) of the Groups Scholars Program.
On September 30, Indiana University hosted its virtual Fall 2021 Diversity Career and Internship Fair. This event served as an opportunity for students from all IU campuses to network with potential employers and to explore internships and fulltime employment with local, state, and national employers in public, private, and non-profit sectors. Participating companies included Eli Lily, Camp Tecumseh YMCA, Indiana Public Health Association, and Tiffany & Co.
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