Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
I firmly believe in the right to education for all regardless of their backgrounds, life experiences, racial and ethnic origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or religious beliefs. I have committed to nurturing an environment that builds a community free of discrimination based on my beliefs. When an inclusive community is dedicated to the individual regardless of background, positive change is reflected in the world. My mission is to develop a learning environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to the values and practices that enhance the ability to innovate, broaden perspectives, and prepare individual students for global citizenship.
As an individual passionate about effective communication, I have researched the effects of competence, motivation, and psychological well-being through many communication theories, specifically in the workplace. Formally, my master’s Thesis was on how effective communication techniques impact internal Nonprofit Success. It was found that much of the positive employee engagement stemmed from effective communication strategies that encouraged and rewarded individuals based on work well done. Informally, I have applied many of the findings to my corporate experience while working at The Walt Disney Company, which uses many leadership skills to enhance employee happiness. Now, I excitedly engage in this practice at the Vermont Jazz Center as their Communications Manager. This research enhances the mission for diversity, equity, and inclusion because of the detail it takes to ensure individual backgrounds are being considered. The following statements below reflect my personal DEI mission.
Diversity
I am dedicated to fostering a culture where all voices are heard and valued, and where every individual feels a sense of belonging. This includes the wide array of identities, experiences, and perspectives that each member of an educational community brings such as diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, religion, and cultural background.
Equity
Equity to me means ensuring that all members of our community have access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. I am committed to identifying and dismantling barriers that have historically marginalized certain groups. My personal goal in an educational community is to create an equitable environment where everyone can achieve their fullest potential. This involves fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all individuals while striving to identify and eliminate any forms of discrimination and bias.
Inclusion
I am committed to creating an inclusive environment where every member feels respected, supported, and empowered. This includes fostering spaces where individuals can express their identities and experiences openly and authentically, and where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but essential to our community’s growth and success. Inclusion to me is the active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity within people, in the curriculum, in the co-curriculum, and communities (intellectual, social, cultural, geographical).
My Commitment to Action
I pledge to take concrete steps to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion while working in any educational setting.
• Promoting Cultural Humility: Encouraging self-reflection and learning about other cultures to understand and challenge our own ingrained biases and assumptions.
• Fostering Civil Discourse: Creating a safe space for dialogue where diverse opinions can be expressed and heard.
• Encouraging Active Engagement: Coaching students to engage all community members in building an inclusive campus.
• Enhancing Recruitment and Retention: Developing strategies to recruit and retain a diverse body of students, faculty, and staff, including scholarships and mentorship programs.
• Creating Inclusive Curricula: Ensuring that our curricula reflect diverse perspectives and that our teaching practices are inclusive and open-minded.
• Engaging in Continuous Assessment: Regularly assessing our DEI efforts through surveys, feedback techniques, and data analysis to identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes.
Conclusion
My commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is an ongoing journey that requires dedication, transparency, and collaboration. I am devoted to creating an academic community where everyone feels valued, empowered, and equipped to contribute to and thrive in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
By adopting this statement, I reaffirm my dedication to building an educational environment that respects, embraces, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, thereby enriching the lives of all members of our community.
