Academic Affairs diversity update from Provost Tony Vizzini
Jean has given the workshop and consulted on an on-going basis with several search committee members. I also asked Jean to work with staff in the offices of Human Resources and Equal Employment Opportunity to develop a positive, visionary statement on diversity for all faculty job ads. This statement reads:
All employees of Wichita State University are expected to support the WSU Vision, Mission and Values and to help foster an environment rich in diversity of culture, thought and experience. Candidates for faculty positions should be able to demonstrate the ability to effectively educate and empower a diverse student population.
In my discussions with Jean, in her role as the Academic Affairs liaison for the President's Diversity Council (PDC), I have learned that she has been working with a group of faculty from various departments on a proposal for an interdisciplinary faculty cluster hire in Hispanic/Latinx Studies. If the proposal is selected, this cluster hire would help to diversify further the faculty in several colleges. In this year's Tilford Fellowship competition, special consideration will be given to faculty who propose a new course in Latinx studies. We expect this will result in at least a few new courses (usually, five fellows are selected) in this critical area.
As you know, we conducted the first cultural-climate study in the university's history last semester. The PDC has been working with faculty, staff and the Student Government Association to analyze those results in the hope that the data can help us continue to improve the diversity and inclusiveness of our campus.
I hosted a lunch earlier this semester for faculty to discuss diversity. Many expressed the need for more diversity-related development opportunities and opportunities to expand what and how they teach to be more inclusive of all students. From the conversation I had with faculty that day, I learned that many of you are eager to make progress on diversifying our faculty, creating more accessible and inclusive classroom environments and infusing diversity in the curriculum. I met with the students recently in a similar fashion. They are concerned with our curriculum not meeting their interests and are encouraging us as a community to grow in our awareness of diversity.
So what are our next steps?
- I think faculty should consider their curricula and make choices as to what to teach that better reflects our student demographics. This should result in new courses and possibly the cessation of those courses that are no longer as relevant.
- I think we as an educational community should find ways of increasing our own knowledge be it through targeted professional development, brown-bag conversations or invited guests to our campus. As life-long learners we need to continue our own intellectual growth. So bring your ideas forward to the President's Diversity Council.
- I think we need to determine how to educate the greater Wichita community through creation of badges or through market-based tuition opportunities. We need to share our knowledge base with our community. We are always looking for ways of increasing our educational products for nondegree-seeking students.
I share the sense of urgency about making progress in this area. Wichita state is committed to the education of our students, ourselves and the broader community.