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ADVANCING THE CONVERSATION ON DIVERSITY, equity, AND INCLUSION IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND BEYOND April 2021
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www.insightintodiversity.com
A New Path to
DEI Leadership
INSIGHT teams with the University of Kentucky
to create first-of-its-kind PhD for Diversity,
Equity and Inclusion
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Students Raise Concerns About Equity
and Privacy of Online Exam Technology
IRVING PEDDREW
Irving Linwood Peddrew III, was the first Black student
to attend Virginia Tech and the first to attend any
historically all-white four-year public institution in the
11 former states of the Confederacy. An honor student
at his all-black high school in Hampton, Virginia,
Peddrew enrolled as an electrical engineering major
and member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
In 2016, he was awarded an honorary Bachelor of
Science degree. Peddrew heroically led so that others
could follow and for that we are forever grateful.
We all have a role. Claim yours... vt.edu
In this issue April 2021
38
Special Report:
Schools of Education
15 Experts Are Cautiously Optimistic for
Graduates Entering the 2021 Job Market
41 Discovery Education Partners with Colleges to Offer
Online Professional Development in Remote Teaching
By Erik Cliburn and Mariah Bohanon
20 Campus Police Chiefs Lead the Way For
Innovative Law Enforcement Reform
42 Colleges Launch New Programs to Remedy the
Longstanding Problem of Teacher Homogeneity
By Mariah Stewart By Erik Cliburn and Mariah Bohanon
Students Raise Concerns About Equity
24 and Privacy of Online Exam Technology
By Lisa O’Malley 54 Colleges of Education Promote an Inclusive
Approach to American History
By Erik Cliburn
2021 SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AWARD
The 2021 INSIGHT Into Diversity Jessie L.
28 Jesse L. Moore
Moore Supplier Diversity Award Winners
By Mariah Stewart
48: Cover STORY
INSIGHT Partners with University of Kentucky to
Develop Innovative Doctoral Degree for Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion in Higher Education
By Mariah Bohanon
On the cover: A billboard at the University of Kentucky
highlights the diverse faculty of the College of Education. insightintodiversity.com 3
Meet Jacob Martinez:
Opportunity maker
Jacob Martinez, a University of California, Santa Cruz,
alumnus and an entrepreneur, knows what it means to
build bridges and create opportunities.
Founder of a lively technology learning center in Watsonville,
California called Digital NEST, Jacob devotes his time and
energy to creating a place for young people from rural areas
to master their digital skills and connect to professional
opportunities. He is a leading voice in technology
access and education and a trusted
UC Santa Cruz partner advising
campus leadership on economic
opportunity, community
empowerment, and
digital innovation.
Ranked among the Top Five universities
for social mobility. - U.S. News and World Report.
One of only four members of the
ucsc.edu Association of American Universities (AAU)
designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
ALSO In THIS Issue April 2021
Volume 97 No. 1
50 Crestwood Executive Center, Suite 526
St. Louis, Missouri 63126
314.200.9955 • 314.756.2036 FAX
info@insightintodiversity.com
In Brief editor@insightintodiversity.com
www.insightintodiversity.com
6 Diversity and Inclusion News Roundup © 2021 Potomac Publishing, Inc.
Contacts:
Lenore Pearlstein | Publisher
Holly Mendelson | Publisher
New Directions Mariah Bohanon | Senior Editor
Daniel Hecke | Creative Director
Debra Boyd | Director of Operations
10 Leaders on the Move Lisa O’Malley | Assistant Editor
Mariah Stewart | Senior Staff Writer
Erik Cliburn | Senior Staff Writer
Editorial Board:
Monthly Observance Linda Akutagawa
Kenneth J. Barrett
LeManuel Bitsóí, EdD
12 National Arab American Heritage Month Elissa H. Buxbaum
Lynette Chappell-Williams, JD
By Mariah Bohanon Deborah Dagit
Sonja Feist-Price, PhD
James A. Felton III
Cheryl Gonzalez, EdD
Gretchel Hathaway, PhD
Erika Henderson, EdD
Lisa McBride, PhD
18 Supplier Diversity Should Be a Priority During COVID-19 and Beyond Ajay Nair, PhD
By Cheryl Seals Gonzalez, EdD Nereida Perez
Clyde Wilson Pickett, EdD
Menah Pratt-Clarke, PhD
Shirley J. Wilcher, JD
Closing INSIGHT
The views expressed in the content of the
58 University of Houston Vaccinates 1,000 Health Care Workers and Students articles and advertisements published in
INSIGHT Into Diversity are those of the authors
and are not to be considered the views
expressed by Potomac Publishing, Inc.
INSIGHT Into Diversity | Diversity Champions
insightintodiversity.com 5
IN BRIEF
CIC Selects Seven Schools for Legacies of American
Slavery Project
The Council of Independent Colleges multi-year project. regional events to promote the project’s
(CIC) announced in February the Along with conducting research, the mission through 2023. Yale University’s
seven colleges and universities that partner schools are encouraged to work Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study
will participate in a multi-year project with local libraries, museums, and other of Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition
titled “Legacies of American Slavery: organizations to promote community will offer summer workshops and
Reckoning with the Past.” The project, discussion forums, organize museum faculty research fellowships for the
led by David W. Blight, a Pulitzer-
Prize winning historian and Sterling
Professor of history, African American Legacy Themes Regional Collaboration Partners
studies, and American studies at Yale Commemoration and Memory ------ The University of the South
University, will rely on each of the seven Contested Citizenship ---------------- Meredith College
partner institutions to serve as regional Cultural Creativity --------------------- Dillard University
hubs for community-driven research on Economic Disparities ----------------- Meredith College
the continuing impact of slavery. Mass Incarceration -------------------- Lewis University
“In the United States, we live Race, Health, and Medicine --------- Centenary College and Huston-Tillotson University
amidst the legacies of a wide variety Race, Place, and Migration ----------- Lewis University
of historical experiences tied to race, Racial Violence and Resistance ----- Austin College
slavery, the Civil War, Emancipation,
and Reconstruction,” Blight writes in
an essay introducing the project. “And exhibits, create online archives and duration of the project, followed by a
we live in a global historical moment resources, and commission documentary national conference in fall 2023.
in which the idea of the legacies of films or podcasts. Over the next three “Racism — like the constitutional
slavery seem to be everywhere in the years, the CIC will provide operational persuasions sometimes practiced,
mainstream media and popular culture.” grants of up to $60,000 to support wittingly or not, to defend it — never
The CIC’s membership consists of project administration and core dies honestly. History is never so easy,
small to mid-sized private liberal arts program activities, which can involve and it never stops happening,” Blight
colleges and universities. Each of the other regional colleges and community writes about the project, echoing the
member institutions chosen for the organizations, according to the council. words of Frederick Douglass. “With
Legacies of American Slavery project, The Regional Collaboration Partners this sobering awareness we will
or Regional Collaboration Partners, will will each host a conference on the study the idea of legacies of the most
focus on one or more “legacy themes” legacies of slavery this spring and will difficult aspects of our past because
identified by the council during the coordinate additional activities and we have to.”●
Mississippi Becomes First State to Ban Transgender
Athletes from Women’s Sports
On March 11, Mississippi lawmakers Gov. Tate Reeves officially signed the year, according to a tracker developed
passed legislation that bans bill into law on March 11. by the American Civil Liberties Union.
transgender student-athletes from “[The law] sends a clear message to One of the first actions President
competing in women’s and girl’s my daughters, and all of Mississippi’s Joe Biden took upon entering
athletics, making it the first state daughters, that their rights are worth office was to issue an executive
in the country to pass this type of fighting for,” Reeves said in a statement. order protecting transgender student
controversial law. “Athletic teams or sports designated rights in school and athletics.
The Mississippi House voted for ‘females,’ ‘women,’ or ‘girls’ shall “Children should be able to learn
81-28 to pass the bill known as the not be open to students of the male without worrying about whether they
Mississippi Fairness Act on March 3. sex,” the legislation states. will be denied access to the restroom,
The state senate passed the bill in More than two dozen states have the locker room, or school sports,” the
February with a 34-9 vote. Republican proposed similar “fairness” bills this order states.●
6 April 2021
Hesabu Circle Connects Black Mathematicians and Students
Kagba Suaray, a professor of origins of math in Africa. The event a racial gap in math scores for students
mathematics at California State also included a discussion on famous from elementary through high school.
University, Long Beach, recently Black mathematicians such as Elbert The tumultuous events of 2020 inspired
created a unique program to combat Frank Cox, the first African American Suaray to take action to address these
racial inequities in his field. to earn a doctorate in the field, longstanding inequities by launching
Hesabu Circle, named for Hesabu Circle last fall, he told
the Kiswahili/Swahili word for the Long Beach Grunion Gazette.
mathematics, consists of virtual NASA made history on February 20 when “When everything went
monthly meetings for Black it launched the S.S. Katherine Johnson, a down with COVID and the
space station supply ship named for one
math educators and professionals aftermath of the George
of the three Black women mathematicians
to connect with young African who inspired the 2016 film Hidden Floyd murder, I decided it was
Americans of all ages. During the Figures. The launch took place on the 59th time to do more and help fill
meetings, participants discuss a anniversary of the mission that allowed a gap that we know is there,”
variety of topics that highlight how John Glenn to become the first American Suaray stated.
to orbit the earth — a feat that would not
math is used beyond the classroom. The program’s long-term goal
have been possible without Johnson’s
One recent demonstration used calculations, according to NASA. is to provide a dedicated space
turntables to show students how for Black students that fosters
math is used in DJing and hip hop. education and provides tutoring
Suaray and program facilitators have and lifelong mentorship
also demonstrated how creating drum and Katherine Johnson, a NASA opportunities, he told the newspaper.
patterns, counting beats, and rhyming computation expert who was one of the “Math is part of you, [and] it’s
words involve math. subjects of the film Hidden Figures. something you use every day,” said Suaray.
For Black History Month, Suaray Data from the National Assessment “We didn’t always have role models, but
invited scholars to talk about the of Educational Progress has long shown we can be role models for these kids.”●
Read, Watch, Listen
READ: Everywhere You Don’t Belong WATCH: Try Harder! LISTEN: Hidden Brain: How
Everywhere You Don’t Belong follows The new documentary Try Harder!, an They See Us
Claude McKay Love, a young Black official selection for the 2021 Sundance Now in its sixth year, the popular
man growing up on the South Side of Film Festival, gives viewers an intimate podcast Hidden Brain uses neuroscience,
Chicago, from adolescence through look at the people most affected by the psychology, and storytelling to make
college and young adulthood. Author contentious debate surrounding elite sense of the often nonsensical ways that
Gabriel Bump has received widespread college admissions and racial quotas. human beings think and behave. The
praise for his ability to intertwine The film follows five Ivy League episode “How They See Us” explores
humor with heartbreak to illustrate hopefuls through their senior year at the the highly pertinent topic of stereotype
Claude’s struggle with the typical majority-Asian American Lowell High, threat, or the fear of conforming to
trials of being a teenager against the the top-ranked public high school in stereotypes that have been ascribed to
backdrop of a volatile and often- San Francisco, as they navigate an uber- one’s social group. Special guest Claude
traumatic environment. As with many competitive academic environment M. Steele, a Stanford University expert
young people, Claude hopes that and cope with issues as complex as the on stereotype threat, talks about how this
attending an out-of-state college will model minority stereotype. Filmmaker negatively affects academic performance
help him form his own identity outside Debbie Lum and her team have stated for underrepresented students. The
of the confines of societal pressures. that the film’s mission is to open a episode dissects how stereotype threat
He soon discovers, however, that being healthy dialogue for young people affects all people, drawing on insecurities
a young Black man in America means and families to discuss stress, race, and self-doubt despite knowing that
nowhere is truly welcoming — or safe. and identity with the ultimate goal of other people’s opinions should not define
Published by Algonquin Books. improving mental health outcomes. us. Originally aired on February 8, 2021;
Find select screenings on tryharderfilm.com. available for free on hiddenbrain.org and
all major podcast apps.●
insightintodiversity.com 7
IN BRIEF
National Deaf History Month Celebrates UT Austin Committee Says
the Power of Student Protest Controversial School
Song Is Not Racist
National Deaf History Month takes of their campus community. Greg
place each year from March 13 Hlibok, a student leader of DPN, told
through April 15 to commemorate USA Today in 2018 that the Board’s On March 9, a committee
the accomplishments of the Deaf refusal to hire a Deaf president came at The University of Texas at
and hard of hearing (DHOH) from a “paternalistic” attitude that Austin (UT Austin) released a
community and their continued denied Deaf people’s autonomy. report that determined the school’s
fight for equality and inclusion. The The DPN protesters were backed controversial spirit song “The Eyes
time frame is spread across March by many faculty, staff, and alumni. of Texas” was not racist.
and April in recognition of three They marched from Gallaudet — The committee was created during
landmark achievements in DHOH which is located in Washington the summer of 2020 to explore the
education: the 1817 founding of D.C..— to the Capitol three times song’s origins and meaning. “The
the first American public school over the course of the protest. Then Eyes of Texas” sparked controversy
for the Deaf; the 1864 founding of Vice-President George Bush, the after students claiming that its lyrics
Gallaudet University, the world’s Rev. Jesse Jackson, and other national were racist petitioned UT Austin to
first higher education institution leaders announced their support of no longer play it at university events.
for DHOH students; and the 1988 DPN. “The problem is not that the Alumni and donors threatened to
hiring of I. King Jordan, Gallaudet’s students do not hear,” Jackson wrote stop supporting the university if it
first Deaf president. in a statement. “The problem is that agreed to ban the song.
The events leading up to the hearing world does not listen.” The “Eyes of Texas” was written
Jordan’s appointment as president The Board of Trustees ceded in 1903 by two students and debuted
are considered among the most to the students’ demands after a at a minstrel show. It was revised as
important moments in DHOH week of campus demonstrations. a solemn hymn after the death of
history. The Deaf President Now Zinser and the chairperson of the the UT Austin president in 1905.
(DPN) movement, as it is now Board agreed to resign, the Board The report states that there is “no
called, was spurred by the Gallaudet was restructured so that a majority evidence the lyrics were intended
Board of Trustees’ decision to hire of members were DHOH, and to show nostalgia for slavery and
Elisabeth A. Zinser, a hearing person students who participated in the instead, found facts that supported
who did not know sign language, as protests were guaranteed immunity the song’s message of accountability.”
the university’s seventh president. from disciplinary action. Shortly President Jay Hartzell said in
The Gallaudet community had long afterward, Jordan was selected as a statement that people should
advocated for a Deaf person to lead president, a position in which he respect that some may have different
the campus, as every president in its served for 18 years. interpretations of the song. “However,
124-year history had been non- Hlibok told USA Today that conversations on college campuses
DHOH. DPN’s success gave confidence to about areas where we disagree are
In response to Zinser’s appointment, Deaf people, including himself; often the most valuable catalysts for
students shut down campus in a week- following the protest, he decided change,” he stated. “What starts here,
long protest. Among their grievances to pursue his dream of becoming a through these conversations, can
was the fact that a significant majority lawyer despite people doubting his change the world.”●
of employees and campus leaders, ability to succeed in law.
including the Board, were not “DPN was remarkable not only
Deaf. Flyers handed out during the for its clear sense of purpose,
protests pointed out that other higher cohesiveness, speed, and depth of
education institutions for specific feeling,” the Gallaudet website
populations, such as the historically states, “but also for its ability to
Black Howard University, had long remove the barriers and erase the
ago handed over governance to lines that previously separated the
individuals who reflected the identity [D]eaf and hearing communities.”●
8 April 2021
DEVELOPING
DYNAMIC
LEADERS IN
EDUCATION
The University of Louisville is home to a community of diverse
perspectives and backgrounds. Working together, we address
global challenges and drive needed change to build a better
world here and beyond.
The Multicultural Teacher Recruitment Program (MTRP)
within the College of Education and Human Development is a
dynamic program centered on diversity and inclusion within
educational spaces. MTRP addresses the lack of teachers of
color in our classrooms by recruiting and preparing individuals
to be educational leaders in our community. Since 1985,
MTRP has been a driving force in job placement, networking
opportunities, community partnerships and support services.
With innovative programming and a focus on community
engagement, the College of Education and Human
Development is acknowledging the needs of a diverse
community and inspiring tomorrow’s leaders to uncover
what’s possible.
PROUD TO BE A 2020 DIVERSITY CHAMPION. louisville.edu/education/mtrp
new directions
CALIFORNIA IOWA PENNSYLVANIA
Kerop Janoyan, Amy C. Novak, EdD, Roderick J. Gilbert
PhD, was selected has been appointed will serve as the
as provost and president of St. inaugural chief
vice president for Ambrose University diversity equity
academic affairs at in Davenport. Novak and inclusion
the University of was president of officer for the
La Verne. Janoyan Dakota Wesleyan University of
previously served as dean of the University in Mitchell, South Pennsylvania School of Veterinary
Graduate School and a professor of Dakota. Medicine in Philadelphia. Gilbert
engineering at Clarkson University was director of Diversity Pipeline
in Potsdam, New York. MASSACHUSETTS Programs and Outreach for the
Karl Reid, EdD, Pennsylvania State University
Julia Chinyere will serve as the College of Medicine in Hershey.
Oparah, PhD, was inaugural chief
selected as provost inclusion officer as Robert Robinson,
and vice president of well as a professor PhD, will serve
academic affairs at of education at as the inaugural
the University of San Northeastern vice president of
Francisco. Oparah University in Boston. Reid diversity, equity,
previously served as provost previously served as executive and inclusion at
and dean of faculty as well as a director of the National Society Northampton
professor of ethnic studies at Mills of Black Engineers in Alexandria, Community College in Bethlehem.
College in Oakland. Virginia. Robinson previously served as
director of multicultural student
GEORGIA MISSISSIPPI affairs at the University of North
Ravi Bellamkonda, Felecia M. Nave, Georgia in Dahlonega.
PhD, has been PhD, will be the first
appointed provost woman to serve as VIRGINIA
and executive vice president of Alcorn Brian O. Hemphill,
president of Emory State University PhD, has been
University in Atlanta. in Lorman. Nave appointed
Bellamkonda was previously served president of
dean of the Duke University Pratt as provost and vice chancellor for Old Dominion
School of Engineering in Durham, academic affairs at North Carolina University in
North Carolina. Central University in Durham. Norfolk. Hemphill
was president of Radford
Laura Renée NEW YORK University in Virginia.
Chandler, PhD, Joy Harewood, OD,
will serve as the will serve as the WASHINGTON D.C.
inaugural vice inaugural director Marjorie Hass,
president of diversity, of Diversity, Equity, PhD, was selected
equity, and inclusion Inclusion, and as president of
at Oglethorpe Belonging and an the Council or
University in Atlanta. Chandler associate clinical Independent
previously served as director of the professor at the State University Colleges. Hass
University of South Dakota Center of New York College of Optometry previously served
for Diversity and Community in in New York City. Harewood as president of Rhodes College in
Vermillion. previously served as an adjunct Memphis, Tennessee.
clinical professor for the college
and an attending optometrist for
BronxCare Health System.
Has your campus recently hired a new administrator? INSIGHT Into Diversity would like to publish your news.
Please email editor@insightintodiversity.com.
10 April 2021FOCUSONDIVERSITY
monthly observancE
National Arab American Heritage Month
National Arab American Heritage Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the Education
Month (NAAHM) is a time for United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Arab Americans are among the most
celebrating the history, contributions, educated demographic. More than
and culture of the diverse population of Terminology 40 percent have a four-year degree,
Arab Americans. In 2019, Rep. Debbie In the U.S., many people conflate and 17 percent have a postgraduate
Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Rashida “Arab” and “Middle Eastern,” but degree, according to the website
Tlaib (D-MI) issued a congressional linguistic and geographical factors arabamericanstories.org.
resolution for NAAHM to be mean that these terms are not fully
recognized on a national scale. interchangeable, according to the Arab Supporting Arab
“It is my hope as a strong and proud American National Museum (AANM). American Students
Arab American in Congress that our The Middle East includes non-Arabic Arab Americans have long been
nation can uplift our contributions in nations such as Iran, Israel, and Turkey. “left out of the academic discourse,
the United States by supporting Arab Similarly, not all Arabic nations are remaining a woefully understudied
American Heritage Month,” Tlaib, a located in what is considered the population for aspiring undergraduate
first-generation American, said about Middle East — including Egypt, and graduate students pursuing
the resolution. “Our history here Algeria, and Morocco. degrees in counseling, psychology, and
in the U.S. is rooted in our love for social work,” writes Souzan Naser, an
freedom and equality, as well as access Religion associate professor and counselor at
to opportunities to help our neighbors A common misconception is that Moraine Valley Community College, in
thrive, and we see this every day in all Arab Americans are Muslim. a recent article in Liberal Education.
Michigan. From the agriculture sector Approximately 25 percent practice Naser’s research shows that many
to medicine and beyond, we have been Islam, and an estimated 63 to 77 campus counselors have not been
at the forefront in building our country percent are Christian, according to the trained to meet this population’s unique
without losing our rich culture.” Arab American Institute. needs. “Yet many Arab and Muslim
Rep. Donna Shalala (D-FL), who is students are in desperate need of
of Lebanese descent, told the House Language counselors who understand students’
that NAAHM is extremely meaningful A 2016 study by the Pew Research issues within the context of culture,
for “recogniz[ing] the contributions Center found that Arabic is the fastest politics, and religion and who will not
of the 3.7 million members of my growing language in the U.S. The use Arab American identities against
community in the United States. In number of people who speak Arabic at the students,” Naser writes. Colleges
medicine, law, business, technology, home increased by 29 percent between and universities must understand how
civic engagement, government, and 2010 and 2014. anti-Arab sentiment and the rise in
culture, Arab Americans have been, and xenophobia affects these students if
continue to be, an invaluable part of the Population Size they are to support them.
mosaic of American life.” There are approximately 3.7 million “Arab American students’ lived
Arab Americans in the U.S. experiences today are jeopardizing
Who is considered an their academic success and emotional
Arab American? Immigration well-being. Some are living in a state
Arab Americans have ancestry in one of Political instability and war have of hyperarousal — trying to manage
the world’s 22 Arab nations, which are led to a significant rise in Arab racing and unsettling thoughts in
located from northern Africa through immigration. Since the U.S. invasion anticipation of danger, their minds
western Asia. The people of these of Iraq, the number of Arab American and bodies on permanent alert,” Naser
nations are ethnically, politically, and refugees has skyrocketed, with nearly argues. “Others are despondent or in a
religiously diverse but share a common 70,000 moving to the U.S. in 2017, state of hypoarousal, feeling numb and
cultural and linguistic heritage. compared with just 26,000 in 2003. empty. Students who have had their
The world’s 22 Arab nations are President Donald Trump’s Muslim experiences dismissed, misheard, or
Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoro Islands, travel ban and immigration policies, judged will feel discouraged about
Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, however, decreased the number of returning to see a counselor.”●
Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, refugees able to find asylum in the
Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, U.S. in recent years.
12 April 2021WHEN DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES
MEET, THE WORLD OPENS UP
We don’t seek a new “normal” at the It’s a campus-wide commitment.
University of Kentucky.
We are examining how facilities, buildings and our campus
We aspire to reimagine and reinvent who we are, while landscape can encourage inclusion and acceptance.
remaining firmly fixed on our missions of education,
research, service and care. We are investing in diverse art across campus and
additional training for our people around issues of bias
Such a community is one that accepts – and embraces – and anti-racism.
everyone for who they authentically are as people.
We are seeking ways to expand the pipeline for
We must recognize differences, not as points of division, internships and professional development opportunities
but as powerful symbols of our common and shared for students, faculty and staff.
humanity.
These projects represent a start, not an end.
And we must examine, change and transform systems,
policies and practices that have embedded racism or It’s an acknowledgment that the work of anti-racism is
privilege for one group of people over another. not a project for a semester or academic year, but for an
institution and a lifetime.
We have made progress – enrolling and graduating more
students of color than any university in our state. We are My deepest hope is that we proceed with a renewed and
more diverse than at any point in our history. We have awakened faith in what our world can look like when we
worked to open doors of access and opportunity to more ask ourselves how we can do better – be better – for our
students. brothers and sisters.
But those are building blocks, not a completed project. We have much to do.
For months, hundreds of members of our community – But this campus fills me with hope.
faculty, staff and students – have worked together on
dozens of projects as part of our Diversity, Equity and Eli Capilouto
Inclusion initiative. President
2020
Learn more about our efforts at: go.uky.edu/dei
An Equal Opportunity University2020 ® Top Colleges for Diversity
Experts Are Cautiously Optimistic for
Graduates Entering the 2021 Job Market
By Erik Cliburn and Mariah Bohanon
New and soon-to-be college prospects for underrepresented job has been a steady rise in online job
graduates have faced a perilous seekers and women. NACE released postings in recent months, Herman
job market since the onset of the a report in November showing that says. This is a great improvement from
COVID-19 pandemic, yet many reports 90 percent of employers indicate they the beginning of the pandemic when
show that employment prospects could have a diversity recruiting strategy for employment prospects were so low that
be looking up for students completing the Class of 2021. Many plan to work some employers had to rescind job and
their degrees in 2021. with institutions such as historically internship offers.
In October, the National Association Black colleges and universities and “I’m seeing it looking a little better,
of Colleges and Universities (NACE) professional associations to increase because we’re getting a lot more job
announced that its annual Job Outlook their number of African American, postings coming in, and what employers
Survey found that most employers Latinx, and women employees. are telling me is that they are trying
planned to “essentially maintain Though the job market for recent to do some hiring, just maybe not as
hiring for Class of 2021 graduates at much as [before],” explains Herman.
2020 levels, with a drop of just 0.1%,” “It depends on the industry and their
according to a press release. The Positive Projections products and services.”
association attributed this positive news for the Year Ahead The majors that are seeing the
to the fact that some industries, such most job opportunities right now
as pharmaceutical manufacturing and As more Americans gain access include accounting, computer science,
wholesale trade, have grown during to the COVID-19 vaccine, there is mechanical and electrical engineering,
evidence that employers across
the pandemic. Furthermore, many logistics management, and finance,
the board are eager to return to
employers have adapted their hiring a sense of normalcy. Investment according to Herman. Industries like
strategies to work within the limits of firm Goldman Sachs released a health care, construction, consulting,
the pandemic rather than being deterred report in March projecting that the manufacturing, and sales are posting
by it, according to NACE. The negative national unemployment rate could jobs as well. Unsurprisingly, students
drop to 4.1 percent by the end of
impacts on the economy have been studying areas related to tourism and
2021. Experts predict the figure
“offset as employers shifted their college could be even lower depending on hospitality are among the least likely
recruiting approaches and operations to government stimulus funding and to find job opportunities in their field,
meet — or at least account for — the the rate at which the economy she says. According to the U.S. Bureau
challenges the pandemic has created,” recovers for sectors hit hardest by of Labor Statistics, these industries lost
the pandemic, such as travel and
the association states. 3.9 million jobs between March 2020
hospitality. Goldman Sachs and U.S.
Of course, much research has shown Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and January 2021.
that women and people of color have both indicate that the economy One of the greatest challenges for
been hit hardest by job losses because could return to pre-pandemic the CCPD has been preparing students
of COVID, even as the economy payroll levels well before 2022. for the virtual hiring environment.
begins to recover. In February, Black Just as so many people have had to
unemployment increased to nearly adjust to online learning and working
10 percent despite the national rate graduates has not fully recovered, there remotely, conducting the job search
dropping to 6.3 percent. Women of is a light at the end of the tunnel, process entirely online requires some
color have experienced the greatest says Deborah Herman, director of adjustments, Herman says. Teaching
impact, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Employer Relations and Recruiting students how to network and interview
Statistics reporting that Black women at Clemson University’s Center for via virtual meeting software has been
and Latinx women have suffered a 10 Career and Professional Development a major task. At first, the transition
percent and 8.6 drop in employment, (CCPD). While the university is still in was intimidating for both students
respectively, since February 2020. the process of collecting employment and career center staff, but most have
Despite these dismal numbers, data from students who graduated come to realize that operating in virtual
the future is still likely to hold better over the course of the past year, there environments can expand possibilities
insightintodiversity.com 15“You guys are part of a
generation that knows how
to create more than any
generation before,” Roth told
the audience. “You know how to
be your own brand. You’ve got
to take advantage of that.”
for job coaching and networking. out to potential employers remain expected to have.”
A January survey by online job the same. Ensuring that you are as Roth also encouraged new graduates
search company Handshake found knowledgeable as possible in your to take whatever jobs were available to
that students see both benefits particular field and have prepared for them so that they could demonstrate
and drawbacks when it comes to interview questions ahead of time to employers that they were staying
remote hiring. Nearly half of the are still vital for success, for example. engaged with the marketplace, even if
survey’s 1,000 respondents said they Herman also recommends that students just through the gig economy. He also
felt more comfortable in an online whose degrees are not currently in recommended that job seekers continue
interview environment, but 52 percent demand consider expanding their job building their unique brand through
reported being concerned that the search to see where their skills may fit “side hustles.” One recent graduate in
process would hinder their ability to in with other industries. the virtual audience reported that he
effectively communicate and connect Other job search experts have was tutoring online and producing
with interviewers. offered similar advice for students and his own podcast, for example, while
In recent months, Herman has recent graduates who are struggling searching for full-time work.
worked closely with recruiters to to find employment in their chosen “You guys are part of a generation
set up online mock interviews, field. Many encourage students to that knows how to create more than
webinars, and virtual career fairs to apply for jobs outside of their region, any generation before,” Roth told
help students succeed despite the as more professions than ever before the audience. “You know how to be
limitations caused by the pandemic. are transitioning to remote work your own brand. You’ve got to take
Companies and organizations hoping environments. Job seekers can also take advantage of that.”●
to hire soon-to-be graduates were advantage of the time available to learn
vital in helping the CCPD and new skills online, especially as some Erik Cliburn is a senior staff writer and
students in these efforts. companies have started offering virtual Mariah Bohanon is the senior editor
“Employers were awesome, and they training and classes for free since the for INSIGHT Into Diversity. Clemson
still are,” Herman says. “We just cannot start of the pandemic. University is a 2017-2020 recipient of
believe all the information sessions and “Your dream job isn’t available right the INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher
webinars that employers are trying to now [and] that’s okay,” LinkedIn Education Excellence in Diversity
offer to connect with students.” editor-in-chief Dan Roth told (HEED) Award and a 2018-2020
She encourages upcoming graduates students during a virtual town hall Diversity Champion.
to remember that despite technology special on CNBC in July. “Seek out
now playing a bigger role in the those industries and opportunities that
job preparation process, the basic will get you those skills, and I think
elements for landing a job by standing you’ll find something that you never
16 April 2021Start the conversation.
Shape your Future.
JOIN THE UNF COMMUNITY
www.unfjobs.org
AN EQUAL ACCESS / EQUAL OPPORTUNITY UNIVERSITY 2020Supplier Diversity Should Be a Priority
During COVID-19 and Beyond
By Cheryl Seals Gonzalez, EdD
During a global pandemic, of success for such programs. During business participation to have access
supplier diversity at colleges and a pandemic fueled with competing to procurement and purchasing in
universities may have become an financial interests, these relationships companies and government. It can
afterthought. This is a strategy used are crucial for non-mandated supplier be argued that once these businesses
by companies to procure products and diversity initiatives. began expecting equal treatment,
services from small and minority- Incorporating supplier diversity differences in the ideals of a free
owned businesses. These businesses objectives is a great way to enterprise system unfolded.
contribute to local economies, yet their demonstrate your institution’s Yet, despite philosophical
value oftentimes goes unrecognized. commitment to diversity and underpinnings that changed leadership
Colleges spend millions of dollars inclusion. Supporting small and accountability, success in supplier
on goods and services annually. minority-owned businesses, regardless diversity has been built on community
However, the current financial focus in of an owner’s race, ethnicity, gender, engagement rather than state
higher education is on revenue losses disability, veteran status, or other mandates or external drivers, according
and budget cuts, reopening campuses, potential discriminating factor benefits to Larry Ellis, former head of supplier
keeping faculty and staff employed diversity at University of Florida
amid government policy changes, and (UF). He says that at UF, it became
National Small Business Week
more. This is having a dramatic effect takes place May 2-8 and a moral duty to support any business
on suppliers, especially those who are celebrates small businesses willing to provide products and that
underrepresented. and their contributions to local could compete with transparency.
Colleges and universities generally communities. It recognizes Faylene Welcome, head of UF
the community partners
include social responsibility, equity, supplier diversity after Ellis, adds
that provide entrepreneurs
and justice in their mission statements, and small business owners that, “Goodwill in the community,
including adopting and maintaining with resources and support, from small and minority businesses,
supplier diversity initiatives. However, including small business corporations, and government
the institutional mission has not development centers (SBDCs) agencies enhanced donor and
housed on college campuses.
waned and looms larger than ever, recruitment efforts for UF.” Supplier
especially in the midst of a pandemic. Through partnerships with diversity became an award-winning
Research indicates that while the U.S. Small Business part of UF’s mission.
these influences are important to a Administration and local and Despite COVID-19 and other
supplier diversity initiative, none are state governments, SBDCs offer challenges, supplier diversity must
training, research, and other
individually sufficient. Organizational be a strategic focus. Its benefits
assistance to help entrepreneurs
understanding of this diversity is achieve their dreams. extend beyond the traditional goals of
critical to the extent to which a supplier teaching, research, and service.
diversity program is implemented. The This diversity should have a
experience of personnel leading these everyone. Making this support part promising future in higher education.
programs, along with visibility in the of an inclusive business development Interactions between minority
business community, also affect the continuum helps economic growth. businesses and procurement officials
organization’s success. Cultural and Select leaders in supplier diversity that are usually based on a legal focus
political norms, likewise, can influence have noted that colleges and can be successful when administered
program outcomes. universities tend to give precedent within a framework of opportunity for
Colleges and universities, businesses to student and employee diversity the betterment of the institution.●
and corporations, and community and inclusion initiatives; therefore,
and government organizations are some leaders in the higher education Cheryl Seals Gonzalez, EdD, is the
all stakeholders in higher education consider supplier diversity to be the chief diversity officer of Hillsborough
procurement. Each has a role to play “third leg” of diversity. Community College in Tampa, Florida.
in making supplier diversity viable. Throughout U.S. history, there has She is also a member of the INSIGHT
Their relationships increase the chances been a push for small and minority Into Diversity Editorial Board.
18 April 2021Leading the Way on Anti-Racism
The world is changing before our very eyes. This reality requires • Pandemic Health Disparities Fund. With an investment of
us to continually reevaluate how we live up to the principles of $1 million from the Office of the President, the fund focuses
diversity, equity, and inclusion. For decades, Indiana University on a broad range of wellness needs for students on all IU
has been at the forefront of this work, striving for a learning campuses, especially COVID-19’s impact on African American
environment to benefit people from all backgrounds. and Hispanic communities.
Protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by • HRSA grant to IU School of Medicine. The IU School
Minneapolis police and the disproportionate impact of Medicine was recently awarded a $7 million grant by
of COVID-19 on Black Americans have renewed critical the Health Resources and Services Administration to help
conversations about structural inequities in this country. It also the school educate medical students to better care for
serves as a powerful reminder of why colleges and universities underserved populations. This grant is aimed directly at
must condemn intolerance and racism and do everything making the IU School of Medicine a leader in eliminating
possible to ensure campuses remain places where differences health care disparities.
are respected, valued, and protected. • Renaming of building. Indiana University has renamed
Indiana University adamantly believes that the opportunity a Bloomington campus gymnasium named after a former
to live and work in a world that builds upon the contributions trustee, Ora Wildermuth, who was against racial integration.
of everyone is not just a privilege but a right of life. This belief The building is renamed for legendary IU basketball player
is why we are leading the way Bill Garrett, honoring his contributions to the integration of
on anti-racist work in higher athletics and the university.
education, putting words into • Police Chief Community Advisory Board. Designed to
action by creating and funding serve as a resource and connection between an Indiana
initiatives that support University Police Department campus division and the
racial justice research, explore 2020
issues of racial equity, and raise Top Colleges for Diversity
®
students, faculty, staff and the communities the division
serves, the Police Chief Community Advisory Board has four
awareness about equality for all. strategic objectives: awareness, communications, monitoring,
On this front, IU has taken significant steps to address social and reporting.
injustice and promote an anti-racist agenda. This work • University diversity programs and policies. This work
includes: involves a thorough assessment of all diversity, inclusion,
• Racial Justice Research Fund. Jointly supported by and inclusive excellence efforts and programs via diversity
mappings across all campuses.
the offices of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and
Multicultural Affairs James Wimbush and the Vice President “Now is the time to stand up for what is good and right. Higher
for Research Fred Cate, this fund provides grants for IU education, in particular, has a special obligation to do so. We
faculty, connects researchers, hosts an ongoing “Racial believe Indiana University’s anti-racist agenda will be a key
Justice Research Workshop” series, and much more. driver of our institution’s success against racism. It is a way
of thinking about Indiana University’s approach to addressing
racism—and one that describes how we do business, how we
educate, and how we advance IU’s culture of belonging,” says
IU’s James Wimbush.
Visit antiracist.iu.edu to learn more.David Perry, assistant vice chancellor and police chief at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says he believes that police culture should change.
His 20-year career includes serving on college campuses during three hurricanes and one active shooter incident.
Campus Police Chiefs Lead the Way FOR
Innovative Law Enforcement Reform
By Mariah Stewart
20 April 2021At many schools, campus police for diversity and inclusion, necessary
departments and diversity offices conversations such as these would never Research shows that women in law
operate as separate entities, rarely, if have happened. enforcement have fewer incidents
ever, interacting. “Dr. Stewart has been a mentor to of excessive force and misconduct.
At Iowa State University (ISU), us all. He was able to get us in front of In recent years, many schools —
however, the chief of police checks in groups that weren’t always willing to including Ohio State University,
with the Office of the Vice President talk with law enforcement,” he says. Purdue University Fort Wayne, and
for Diversity and Inclusion (VPDI) ISUPD has taken other steps to the State University of New York
at New Paltz — have hired their
twice each week. Before the COVID-19 improve community trust in law
first woman police chiefs.
pandemic struck, when more people enforcement, including showing
were living and working on campus, he solidarity with students during Black
would call the office every day. Lives Matter protests and working with
Having regular check-ins regarding a student oversight advisory board. universities across 11 countries, has also
police activity is just one way that When it comes to handling mental taken recent steps to encourage reform.
Michael Newton, PhD, chief of police health crises, the ISUPD uses certified In 2020, it launched the IACLEA:
and associate vice president therapy dogs for responding Shaping the Future of Policing &
of public safety, works to to calls about and following Public Safety program to “support
ensure that the ISU Police up on distressed students. The members’ efforts to engage in police
Department (ISUPD) is department also recently hired reform at campus, state, and local
maintaining a safe and a professor to analyze its annual levels,” according to its website. The
equitable environment for all. traffic stop data. All of these program provides online resources and
At a time when so many unique efforts earned the ISUPD has hosted virtual summits on topics
Americans have lost faith Michael the 2020 Award for Innovation such as trust and legitimacy, policy and
in law enforcement, college Newton and Community-Oriented accountability, and more.
campus police departments are Policing from the International David Perry, a former president of
uniquely suited to bring about Association of Campus Law IACLEA with more than 25 years of
change and innovation in policing, Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). experience in campus security, was hired
he says. Such change necessitates full The association, which represents as assistant vice chancellor and chief
transparency and collaboration with the more than 1,000 colleges and of the University of North Carolina
entire community.
“Reform of the criminal justice
system and law enforcement is doable
by all organizations, but higher ed
is generally a more collaborative
environment,” Newton explains. “Being
in this environment means we’re led by
people who by nature look at how to
solve issues and problems.”
Newton has orchestrated several
reform efforts since joining the ISUPD
in 2017, including creating a formal
partnership with the VPDI office,
which he says was one of the best
moves his department has ever made.
Together, they were able to launch an
initiative called Campus Conversations
that brings officers and community
members together to talk about issues
The UNCPD and its communication division recently received accreditation from
such as police reporting, suicide the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., which is
awareness, and more. considered the “golden standard” in policing. The Communication Division is one of
only a handful of accredited university communication centers in the United States,
Newton says that if it were not for according to UNCPD Chief David Perry.
Reginald Stewart, ISU’s vice president
insightintodiversity.com 21cross sections of the university to come
and sit in on our interview panels so
they can see the men and women we
are considering for these jobs. [New
hires] are not just working for the
police department, they’re working
for the very people that are helping
interview them,” he says.
In a May 2020 report, the
CSC states that many of its
recommendations for campus police
reform — including transparency
with law enforcement procedures and
better communication.— have been
successfully implemented.
Perry agrees with Newton that these
The Iowa State University Police Department (ISUPD) partnered with the International types of changes are easier to achieve
Students and Scholars Office to host a community policing event in October 2019. Students
ate, played games, and connected with officers from ISUPD and other departments. for police departments working on
college campuses because they tend to
be more collaborative environments
where officers can work one-on-one
at Chapel Hill Police Department to nonviolent protests is another with administrators and scholars who
(UNCPD) in 2019 after the university way to build trust while protecting are dedicated problem solvers and
launched a nationwide search for First Amendment rights, he says. For change agents. He also thinks that
someone with “a proven track record example, when patrolling a Black Lives more collaboration between college
in community policing and
strong experience building
communication and trust,” the The most important thing for an officer to
UNC website states. remember is that they should be an active
The campus has been
home to tumultuous protests
part of campus, not just “an afterthought”
in recent years, including that only shows up when there is a crisis or
multiple demonstrations David Perry a conflict, Perry says.
by White nationalists who
wanted to preserve a famous
Confederate statue and by students who Matter protest following the murder of and local law enforcement could help
demanded that it be removed. Hiring George Floyd, Perry drove a golf cart bring about broader police reforms by
Perry was part of a series of reforms to help transport people while other enabling them to share best practices
recommended by the UNC Campus officers remained in the area on standby. for community policing, accountability,
Safety Commission (CSC), which In addition to increasing officer and more.
was created to repair student-police participation on campus, it is equally “There is still lots of work to be
relations following these protests. important that students and employees done within our own agencies to
The most important thing for an engage with and take part in police make sure that we are hiring the best
officer to remember is that they should operations, Perry says. The UNCPD people, training them appropriately,
be an active part of campus, not just website allows students to invite and making sure they’re receiving
“an afterthought” that only shows up officers to community events, host education as needed,” Perry says.
when there is a crisis or a conflict, Perry safety presentations, or even request “And most importantly, holding
says. “University police are meant to be ride-alongs. them accountable to their actions and
interwoven into the daily lives [of the Perry has also created a more standards when they go outside the
community] by interacting, engaging transparent hiring process that line of what we expect.”●
on committees, and attending events so involves collaboration with the
that it’s not a shock to the conscience campus community. “We bring in Mariah Stewart is a senior staff writer
when people see them,” Perry explains. representatives from the student for INSIGHT Into Diversity.
Eliminating militarized responses government, student affairs, and all
22 April 20212020 ®
Top Colleges for Diversity
2020
“Diversity and inclusion are more than just a strategic goal at
Florida State University — it’s at the heart of everything we do
as an institution.”
– John Thrasher,
President, Florida State University
Florida State University is proud to be recognized as a Preeminent University by the State of Florida. An
acknowledged national leader in student retention and graduation, we help our students graduate with focused plans
for careers or graduate degrees. Our preeminent faculty earn over $500,000 in external research grants every single
day of the year.
The university’s four-year graduation rate is 74 percent, placing FSU first in the State University System of Florida
and in the top 10 nationally among public universities. More significantly, it’s the highest four-year graduation rate in
the State University System’s history. In addition, FSU posted a six-year graduation rate of 84 percent — also a
university record.
Florida State’s Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE), which provides first-generation and
underrepresented students the necessary resources and support network they need to flourish in the collegiate
environment, is nationally recognized for its efforts in this area. Over the past several years, Florida State has virtually
eliminated disparities in retention rates among its diverse undergraduate population, which includes nearly a third
who are Pell Grant recipients and first-generation college students. This year, CARE students outperformed FSU’s
general student population in freshman retention rate — 96.2 percent to 95 percent.
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