1. Building Community through Inclusive Excellence

2. A commitment to diversity and the pursuit of inclusion is a necessary value in our society. It makes perfect sense that UCONN, as the state’s flagship institution of public higher education, would model, embrace and live out that commitment, as we prepare our students to become the leaders who will graduate prepared to change our communities, this state and our world.”
Joelle A. Murchison                                                        Associate Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

3. Diversity & Inclusion at UCONN Academic Plan, Core Value: Diversity
“In our culturally and intellectually diverse community….
We appreciate differences in one another as well as similarities,
We aspire to be an increasingly inclusive educational institution that attracts, retains, and values talented people from all backgrounds.
We believe in diversity in intellectual approach and outlook.
We embrace diversity not as a keyword for token inclusion of the underrepresented, but as a commitment to fostering a welcoming environment in which all individuals can achieve their fullest potential and in which open and respectful communication is facilitated.” 5

4. Office for Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) Mission
Building Community for Inclusive Excellence To ensure access and equity across all university units, appreciate and maximize the experiences of individuals regardless of background and create opportunities to enhance the University’s mission through awareness, education and inclusion. Diversity can only be sustained and supported as an integral part of institutional excellence when it is actively promoted by the entire University community as part of a larger goal of equity, inclusion & accountability.
Operations
Supplier Diversity
UCONN Foundation
Education
Training
Dialogues
Curriculum
Workforce
Recruitment
Retention
Engagement
Students
Recruitment
Retention
Engagement
Partnerships
Alumni
Non Profits
Private Sector

5. Office for Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) Strategic Goals
Cultivate a campus climate of respect, appreciation and inclusion
Support a university community which leverages dialogue and education to break down barriers and enhance cultural competence and collaboration across groups.
Enhance student outreach and programmatic initiatives with an emphasis on inclusion, academic success and leadership
Support the expansion of options related to diversity and inclusion in the curriculum and across academic units
Support increased recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups amongst the students, faculty, administration and staff, and utilize metrics to monitor progress through analysis and assessment.
Emerge as a national model for the intersection of inquiry and learning through inclusive excellence and expanded lenses of perspective.

6. Office for Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) Our Team
Dana Wilder, Assistant Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion
Joelle Murchison, Associate Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer
Elsie Gonzalez, Director, Diversity and Inclusion Programming
Jennifer Burckardt,
Executive Assistant and Office Manager
The Cultural Center Directors

7. The Cultural Centers
The Cultural Centers at the University of Connecticut serve as vital resources in support of the social, behavioral, and cultural needs of students. They also provide an important resource to the broader UCONN community as a central point of reference for issues and historical context related to the particular demographic group represented by the center.
The Cultural Centers also work collaboratively to bring light to issues that face the community of underrepresented populations at UCONN.

8. Office for Diversity & Inclusion University Diversity Council
The University of Connecticut Diversity Council was established in May 2016 by President Susan Herbst and is charged with the development and implementation of a multi dimensional strategic diversity and inclusion plan that supports the diversity core value as stated in the academic plan and the six core recommendations of the Diversity Task Force.
Composed of faculty, staff, and students across all academic and administrative units on campus, the council will also support the execution of initiatives that would further the University’s goals of becoming a more inclusive community and a leader in diversity and inclusion in higher education.
The Council will additionally act in an advisory capacity to University leadership on issues including but not limited to student outreach and programmatic initiatives, expanding options related to diversity in the curriculum and across academic units, increased recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups amongst the students, faculty and staff, and utilizing metrics to monitor progress on diversity through analysis and assessment.
Members of the Diversity Council will also work to identify and disseminate best practices around the successful coordination and execution of diversity programs and initiatives across the University.
Committees
Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Retention Committee Student Recruitment and Retention Committee Diversity Education and Training Committee Communication/Campus Climate Committee External & Community Partnerships Committee

9. Office for Diversity & Inclusion (ODI) Programs
Diversity Awareness and Sexual Harassment Training (with OIE)
Annual Martin Luther King Commemorative Celebration
Inclusive Excellence Lecture Series
I.D.E.A.S. Grants
Regional Campus Initiatives
Awareness Months
Black History Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Pride Month
Women’s HERstory Month
Asian Awareness Month

10. A Culturally Competent UCONNNATION
Understands and values inclusion
Acknowledges its own biases
Understands the university, its customers (the world!) and their changing needs
Acts as role models – leads the way
Builds and leverages a diverse team
Demonstrates cultural competence – continuous learning