The University of Michigan is currently in an interim period between its strategic plans for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with the next plan set to launch in early fall 2023. The Ford School community did not pause, however, and is hard at work on six interim DEI priorities.
“The goal is to keep our momentum going, and truly reflect on our efforts as we prepare for our next strategic plan,” says DEI officer Stephanie Sanders.
Sanders was joined in her work this fall by new associate DEI officer Dominique Adams-Santos and by new DEI communications specialist Lillian Chen.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core elements of the Ford School’s mission of advancing the public good,” says interim dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes. “We have much work to do, but I am so inspired by our community’s collective efforts and commitment to make the Ford School a truly diverse and inclusive space, as well as a force for good.”
A community event, “Our DEI Why,” helped kick off the school’s planning for “DEI 2.0” in October. Over the next six months, students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to help co-create and shape the DEI strategic priorities for the next five years.
Here are some highlights from the school’s work this year around diversity, equity, and inclusion:
- Dynamic public events, including Science, Technology, and Public Policy talks on vaccine equity and climate justice, and the continuation of the Racial Foundations of Public Policy series with events on housing, LQBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, and more.
- Faculty research centered on structural inequality and inclusion—from offering policy recommendations that would make language-learning algorithms more equitable to measuring the return on investment in public schools.
- Implementation of revamped strategies for improving staff recruitment.
- An amazing group of social justice leaders, activists, authors, and artists who joined the Ford School this year as the Center for Racial Justice’s inaugural visiting fellows: Atinuke (Tinu) Adediran, Julian Brave NoiseCat, and Makeda Easter.
» Visit our website to learn more about our DEI work, meet our team, join events, and more: fordschool.umich.edu/dei-priorities
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