DEVELOPING THE DIVERSITY , EQUITY & INCLUSION STRATEGIC PLAN
This campus-wide strategic plan was created in partnership with GMercyU ’ s Office of Diversity , Equity & Inclusion and a committee of faculty and staff from departments across the University . It serves as our threeyear roadmap toward creating a more equitable , inclusive campus culture , with four concrete goals and means for holding ourselves accountable to those goals .
The tragic and unjust death of George Floyd , the ongoing violence suffered by communities of color elevating the national conversation around racial justice once more , and a divisive political environment inspired us to respond not only with statements of solidarity but with action . What better way to act than by creating a strategic plan leading us to a culture of inclusive excellence ?
To begin our work , the Diversity , Equity & Inclusion Working Group was formed in 2020 and was charged with developing concrete steps and metrics of progress for DEI at GMercyU . The group has carefully considered how to infuse equity and inclusivity into all areas of our curriculum and cocurriculum , student development and leadership , our administrative structures , practices , and decisionmaking . In addition , we must consider our admissions , hiring , and promotions practices .
Through a year-long process of exchanging ideas , professional development , trainings , reviewing best practices and analyzing data currently available to us , the Working Group drafted our Diversity , Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan . It ’ s important to note that as we seek more data relevant to our cause , the group will respond to that data .
MEMBERS OF THE DEI WORKING GROUP INCLUDE :
• Patricia Brown O ’ Hara , Assistant Professor , Frances M . Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions
• Kim Cooney , Director , First-Year Experience
• Brandi Crawford , Director of Accessibility Services
• Carol Evans , Assistant Professor , Director of Voices of Gwynedd
• Dawn Hayward , Assistant Vice President Assessment and Compliance
• Meredith Hoch-Oescher , Dean of Student Success
• Alexandra Jabara Johnston , Associate Director for Leadership Programs
• Matt Lasecki , Assistant Vice President of Human Resources
• Holly Lightcap , Student Success Specialist
• Michelle Murray , Director of Housing and Residence Life
• Deb O ’ Reilly , Digital Content Specialist
• Lorraine Phillips , Assistant Professor , School of Arts and Sciences
• Atasha Quarles , Associate Director of Financial Aid
• Gianna Quinn , Director of Alumni Relations
• Peggy Rosario , Assistant Professor , School of Business and Education
• Mary Sortino , Dean of the School of Business and Education
• Jeffrey Wallace , Director of Campus Ministry
• Maria Warnick , Assistant Professor , Frances M . Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions
• Sophia Zinobile , Admissions Counselor
This kind of ever-evolving work cannot be declared complete by 2024 , however ; it will always deserve our attention , nurturing , and a spirit of continuous improvement . We invite you to read the plan , ask questions , share your feedback , and seek out ways to get involved .
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We strive to provide equal access to education for all . We all have differences that can be celebrated to encourage us to be closer together . Individuals with disabilities should not be treated differently because of them , but rather given assistance and services to even out the playing field .
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– Brandi Crawford , MSW , Director of Accessibility Services
– Tatiana Diaz , Assistant Vice President of Diversity , Equity & Inclusion