IMPORTANT NEWS & EVENTS
Life University Launches Office of Diversity , Equity and Inclusion
After a year of work gathering input from students , faculty and staff , Life University established the Office of Diversity , Equity and Inclusion ( ODEI ) in June 2020 . Interim Executive Director Dr . Karoline Oliveira says the office , under the Office of the President , serves as an umbrella “ for efforts on campus , across campus , touching all facets of the institution .”
“ Its goals are designed to be more broad-based , infusing diversity , equity and inclusion into all areas ,” Dr . Oliveira says . “ That includes not just Academics and classroom curriculum , but also staff and faculty training on cultural competency and working with HR in hiring practices .”
According to Dr . Oliveira , one objective is to examine University policy and evaluate it through a social justice lens . “ We are focusing on ensuring that the experiences of students , faculty and staff are inclusive , where members of the community — particularly traditionally underserved and marginalized populations — feel that they can engage completely and feel valued in their identities .”
One of the questions that is top of mind for Dr . Oliveira is , “ How do we ensure we are creating an institution that is based on inclusive excellence ?”
“ Life University President Dr . Rob Scott has made diversity , equity and inclusion a priority of the institution , and he has expressed to me the importance of this as the University grows , to be in alignment with Lasting Purpose , and that the value of every member of our community is imperative ,” Dr . Oliveira says .
The feedback gathered through a series of “ campus climate ” surveys and focus groups conducted in late 2019 was generally positive , Dr . Oliveira says . However , several needs were identified . One was the creation of ODEI to serve as a central hub for the University ’ s efforts , many of which were already taking place in “ pockets ” on campus but without a focus .
“ Another concern was , where do people go when they are experiencing a microaggression or something that feels discriminatory — where do they address that ?” Dr . Oliveira explains that the existing bias incident reporting system wasn ’ t well publicized , so people didn ’ t know how to express any concerns that they may have had . The new ODEI website includes an easy-to-use form to address potential bias issues .
Since the launch of ODEI , Dr . Oliveira says the response from the Life University community has been overwhelmingly favorable .
“ Folks have really stepped up and offered to become engaged , asked how they can participate and partner , how we can develop programming within different departments ,” she reports . “ I think the community really felt like this was necessary , particularly as we ’ re talking about what ’ s happening in our nation related to social justice and racial equality , topics that are so pressing right now .”
To support ODEI ’ s mission , Dr . Oliveira says , “ Start where you are .”
“ Start with yourself ,” she advises . “ Examine how you see the importance of social justice and equity . Find ways to engage . If you ’ re a student , engage with an existing group on campus or start a different group that addresses these types of issues and concerns . If you ’ re alumni , how could you partner with the University to make yourself and your services available so that ODEI can partner with you , whether it be through research or internships — things like that . Anyone who would like to work with us on issues of inclusive excellence and social justice , contact me and let ’ s explore ways that we can collaborate and make Life University an exemplar in higher education , particularly in healthcare-related fields .”
For more information on the ODEI at Life University , please visit
LIFE . edu / aboutpages / Office-of-Diversity- Equity-Inclusion . The office can be contacted at ODEI @ LIFE . edu .
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Dr . Karoline Oliveira , Interim Executive Director of the Office of Diversity , Equity and Inclusion
6 Alumni . LIFE . edu | 2020