Wondering what NSOE has done to advance DEI this year? This has been a big year for DEI at NSOE! This academic year (2021-22) marked a number of new DEI initiatives at NSOE, including:
- On-boarding the inaugural Associate Dean of DEI,
- Developing a DEI implementation plan & evaluation,
- Forming the DEI Student Advisory Committee,
- Sharing and committing to transparency in DEI data metrics (e.g., Duke Climate Survey & MEM/MF DEI Temperature Checks),
- Launching the CAIRNS Program for undergraduate students,
- Starting the Coffee Conversation Corps,
- Kicking off the Building in Justice initiative with the leadership of Dr. Liz Shapiro-Garza,
- Developing inclusive hiring guidelines, materials, and procedures for faculty,
- Initiating required anti-bias training for faculty and staff hiring committees,
- Creating and implementing a DEI module for all new staff members,
- Holding 5+ culturally inclusive pedagogy workshops for faculty,
- Reviewing and addressing DEI concerns in raised in course evaluations,
- Creating a NSOE DEI website,
- Developing DEI communications (e.g., this newsletter!), and
- Co-creating Tuesdays in the Orchard (see below)!
We’ve also continued our past DEI work, including:
- Holding monthly DEI Accountability meetings for students, staff, and faculty,
- Offering intensive DEI program for the K-12 community (check out AHEAD)!,
- Working closely with 45+ community organizations in the NSOE led Diversity & Equity in Environmental Programs (DEEP) Collaborative,
- Holding anti-racism workshops,
- Offering space for students, staff, and faculty to process current events,
- Holding focus groups for students, staff, and faculty to express DEI needs and concerns.
So what’s next? We are already working on the following new initiatives for the 2022-2023 Academic Year:
- Let’s Do Lunch: a new initiative to allow students, staff, and faculty to get to know each other over lunch!
- Global Week: increase awareness of and celebrate international work in the environment and cultures around the globe
- Cultural Competency workshops for students and faculty
- Review and revision of English Language requirements, and
- So much more!