In this moment

The drive toward a more diverse and inclusive community now has a University-wide roadmap.

In April, the Board of Trustees affirmed OHIO's inclusive excellence strategic plan. Developed in partnership with students, faculty, staff and alumni, it provides guidance and a course of action for a community where all feel welcome, supported and respected and where-in uplifting our individual identities, cultures, experiences and perspectives-we broaden our collective understanding.

"Inclusive excellence means greater student access, achievement and success on campus and after graduation, faculty and staff satisfaction and retention, and lifelong connections with our alumni," Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Gigi Secuban says of the plan born out of University-wide conversations, experience and research.

The plan's strategic goals-recruit and retain a diverse campus community, create a sense of belonging for all, reimagine teaching and learning with inclusivity as a core design principle, and cultivate a commitment to data collection and continuous improvement-are supported by yearly action items.

"This is about a culture shift that is going to happen in phases, stages and steps," explains Dr. Duane Bruce, interim assistant director of OHIO's Multicultural Center. "If we're going to see real transformative change in our campus community, it's going to roll out over time and in ways that make sense for the community at any given time."

From a new campus-wide campaign and student and faculty support to opportunities for education and conversation, that rollout is well underway:

Make Respect Visible campaign

Fall semester saw the launch of a campus-wide Make Respect Visible campaign that encourages behavior consistent with OHIO's values and provides guidance for engaging across differences. The campaign was introduced during Bobcat Student Orientation for incoming first-year students.

Inclusive Pedagogy Academy

Designed to empower faculty to maximize student learning by enacting inclusive teaching approaches, the Inclusive Pedagogy Academy welcomed its first faculty cohort in the spring of 2020. Participants and facilitators have been expanding the reach of the program by offering virtual workshops, panel discussions and online resources to faculty and staff throughout the University.

OHIO Men of Excellence Network

Twenty students participated in the 2020-21 inaugural year of the OHIO Men of Excellence Network (O-MEN), created to increase, encourage and support the inclusion and educational success of diverse male-identifying undergraduates. The four-year program focuses on three areas of student development: building a social network within the program as well as with professional and peer mentors and across the OHIO community; developing academic success, career readiness and leadership skills; and engaging in the campus, local and global communities through community service. The program launched its annual off-campus retreat and an O-MEN residential living experience this semester.

Speaker series

In 2020, the Division for Diversity and Inclusion debuted two ongoing speaker series designed to elevate diverse voices and engage campus and community in education, reflection and conversation on current and historical issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Guests for the Monthly Speaker Series included Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, civil rights leader and attorney Benjamin Crump, political strategist Donna Brazile, and Sharon Cooper, whose sister, Sandra Bland, died while in police custody. The division partnered with OHIO's Center for Campus and Community Engagement and the Office of Global Affairs to present two events in its Real Talk about Big Questions series. A November 2020 post-election dialogue featured U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Athens Mayor Steve Patterson, and an April 2021 talk and Q&A focused on combating violence and discrimination against Asian and Pacific Islander populations, with speaker Helen Zia, the daughter of immigrants from China and an outspoken advocate for human rights.

"From John Newton Templeton to Margaret Boyd, many have helped pave the road to a more diverse, inclusive and, therefore, transformational OHIO community," Secuban says. "The steps we are taking together are a continuation of their and our journeys."

Visit ohio.edu/diversity to read OHIO's inclusive excellence strategic plan and learn how you can get involved.

Featured image by Ben Wirtz Siegel, BSVC '02