Congratulations to the 2012 Diversity Matters Award Winners!
Thank you to everyone who attended the Town Hall Meeting on Diversity which was held February 1, 2012.
Award winners pictured above, from left to right: front row-- Jonathan Cox, Doug Mupasiri, Ellie Hail, Mickye Johnson
back row--Gloria Gibson, Nick Pace, Terry Hogan
Jonathan Cox: Coordinator Minority & Student Diversity Programm, College of Business Administration
Doug Mupasiri: Interim Department Head & Professor, Mathematics
Ellie Hail: Student, Co-President of UNI Proud
Mickye Johnson: Director, Classic Upward Bound
Nick Pace: Associate Professor, Education Leadership & Postsecondary Education
A New Academic Year, a Renewed Commitment to Diversity
The start of a new academic year is a time to re-evaluate, re-prioritize and revitalize our goals. As the 2011-2012 school year opens, I find myself looking forward to increased opportunities for growth, renewal and vigor in the diversity efforts of our campus community.
We already have many reasons to be pleased. Among our most notable achievements was the opportunity to host First Lady Michelle Obama as commencement speaker in May 2011. In October 2010, presentations by the famed Laramie Project allowed us to have a frank discussion about hate crimes against those in the LGBT community. And when outside forces threatened to disrupt this observation, our campus came together in a remarkable show of support for diversity and solidarity against prejudice that made us all proud to be affiliated with this institution. Additionally, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost established an affiliation with the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI), providing in-depth diversity training for members of the Academic Affairs division.
This year we will continue work with NCBI; already 175 members of the faculty and staff have been trained on specific diversity issues. Sessions are planned for the entire year in order to provide opportunities beyond the Academic Affairs division. Results from our 2011 Climate Survey will be announced this fall, giving our Diversity Council and Diversity Advisory Committee data for evaluating and expanding efforts. Keep checking this site for news of our progress.
It is my goal that every member of our community will understand her/himself to be a valued individual who is respected for the unique talents and characteristics they bring to the campus. Please feel free to contact us at diversity@uni.edu with your ideas and thoughts. We want to continue this important dialogue.
President Benjamin Allen
August 2011