COLLEGES Highlights
COLLEGE of ARTS and SCIENCES
Associate Dean Focus on EDI
With the retirement of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Affairs, Dr. Sally Parry, the college revised the job title and description into the “Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success” with an enhanced focus on the development of curriculum for student success, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Rocío Rivadeneyra was appointed to the position effective July 1, 2021.
Student Advisory Council
The CAS College Council—which is comprised of faculty, students, and staff—approved the development of a Student Advisory Council. The council will form in the fall plans for an open forum for students to gather feedback about student success and the inclusivity of the academic environment.
Faculty Performance Policies Centered in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Departments across the college are revising Appointment, Salary, Promotion, and Tenure policies to formally recognize the value of equity-based research, teaching, service, and creative works as part of the faculty evaluation process. At least 25 percent of departments thus far have incorporated language that values equity, diversity, and inclusion in faculty productivity with more to come.
COLLEGE of APPLIED SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
“CAST Connections” Student Center
The college laid the foundation for “CAST Connections.” The new student center will include community outreach opportunities to enhance service learning, support for tutoring in selected CAST major courses, connections to CAST alumni for mentorship, and ongoing professional development opportunities. A faculty/staff advisory board and a student advisory board met throughout the year to plan for the new center. A diverse search committee was also formed for the director search.
Re-evaluating professional development
The work of a college ad hoc committee evolved into the college-wide DEBI Committee (Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion).
CAST Persistence Grants
In the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters, CAST distributed $86,770 in student grants to ensure the continued academic progress of CAST students. The one-time funds are awarded to students whose graduation goals are blocked by financial obstacles.
COLLEGE of BUSINIESS
Leadership
Dr. Tina Williams has been named the chair of the Department of Management and Quantitative Methods. The department houses one of the largest number of undergraduates on campus with 1,300 students. Prior to assuming her new position, Dr. Williams served as interim director of the University’s Honors Program
EDI-Focused Recruitment
Designed by Dr. Ashley Hicks of the Office of the Dean, the college held the first-ever Multicultural Open House in April 2021 for student recruitment. The college also supports and recruits from the national Ph.D. project, which encourages the pursuit of doctoral degrees for those from underrepresented groups.
Committee on Diversity Initiatives
The college formed the Committee on Diversity Initiatives, chaired by Dr. Horace Melton. The committee is working toward creating an engaging and committed culture of diversity and inclusion in the college.
Newly Established Associations
ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals for America), and ACUMEN (Association for Cultural Unity, Mentorship, Education and Networking) joined other business RSOs in providing opportunities for networking and building community. The long-running Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity added a new diversity and inclusion chair position.
COLLEGE of EDUCATION
Building on EDI
Recognizing the integral role of equity and inclusion in the preparation of teachers and education administrators, the college hired its first-ever diversity officer, Dr. Dakesa Piña, who is supporting diversity initiatives and conversations as well as building a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the college.
Chicago Public Schools Teacher Education Partnership
Teach Chicago Tomorrow Pathways Partnership (TCT) program launched in the summer of 2021. The college anticipates having 125 students per cohort when the program is fully operational. A joint effort with Illinois State University’s National Center for Urban Education, Chicago Public Schools, and City Colleges of Chicago, the program is part of a long-term strategy to prepare quality teachers who are committed to CPS schools. The college also announced a university scholarship for TCT students once they enroll at Illinois State.
Professional Dispositions Process
The Council for Teacher Education initiated a holistic review of the “dispositions” process, which assesses teacher candidates’ professional skills and ability to interact with diverse students. Dean James Wolfinger noted the process is now an examination of indicators of cultural competency and implicit bias.
MENNONITE COLLEGE of NURSING
Holistic Admission Process
The college moved to a new, holistic admission process and saw a rise in diverse applications and admissions. Changes included moving to a model that factors in experiences. Essays ask candidates to connect how they advocate for diversity as it pertains to the college mission statement. An evaluation of the change is in process; Institutional Review Board approval for the evaluation has been received.
Equity in the Faculty Search Process
The college is revising the tenure-track search process that will include an equity element in all job descriptions and interview questions that highlight equity in teaching, scholarship, service, and diversity work.
Task Force
The college convened a DEI Task Force in November with a focus on communication, curriculum, and student support. The Task Force has implemented a survey to assess culture and climate in the college.
MILNER LIBRARY
IDEA Committee
The Milner College Council endorsed the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) as an official committee. The committee will continue work on removing potential and/or unintended bias from incident reporting while also exploring an environmental scan.
Review of Collections
In an effort to promote an anti-racist library culture, Milner Library has plans to review its library collections to assess what subject areas and scholars are missing as resources for patrons.
New Guides Exploring Oppression, Racism, and LGBTQ+ Resources
Milner Library unveiled the online Systemic Racism guide, which explores systemic racism and the many forms it takes. The guide is available to anyone working to dismantle systems of oppression. The library also announced a new topical library guide on LGBTQIA+ resources.
WONSOOK KIM COLLEGE of FINE ARTS
Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee
The college established the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee that is comprised of leaders from the School of Theatre and Dance, School of Music, and the Wonsook Kim School of Art, as well as representation from Creative Technologies, University Galleries, and both graduate and undergraduate students. The committee is beginning an analysis of the college strategic plan as well as examining goals and objectives through an equity lens.
Design Streak
A research-based social innovation lab led by the Wonsook Kim School of Art’s Archana Shekara, engages ISU students in pro bono, human-centered design work for numerous community-based and not-for-profit groups including Refuge Food Forest, Bloomington’s West Market Street Council, and Labyrinth House, YWCA.
The Crossroads Project
The Crossroads Project in the School of Theatre and Dance has been active in equity work since 2000 and this year hosted its first two playwright residencies for a new project, the Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee became a standing committee for the School of Theatre and Dance in 2020-2021 and began leading anti-racism discussions for faculty and staff, all of whom received copies of Ibram X. Kendi’s book How to Be an Antiracist.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Annual Report for Illinois State University