University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
The COLS Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Climate (EDIC) Committee at UW Oshkosh seeks to exemplify and celebrate the values of UWO through real-life examples.
After a spring and summer that brought new challenges to the campus community and added urgency to equity initiatives, EDIC would like to recognize some of the people who worked hard to make UWO a more inclusive and diverse climate. Associate Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Damira Grady will work with the entire campus community to promote a diverse and inclusive environment. We cannot wait to see the changes she brings. We are also pleased that advocacy efforts led to the hiring of a new Director of Hmong Studies, Dr. Mai See Thao who will lead a certificate program covering the topics of race, gender, refugee experiences, displacement, and globalization. All of us can’t help smiling remembering McNair Scholar Joy Evans when she became the director of UWO’s first food pantry, opening new resources to campus food insecurity. We’re also happy to hear about the finalizing of an Indigenous Studies program and the Land Acknowledgement statement; the hiring of a new director of the Men of Color and Latino/a/Hispanic initiatives; that the Office of Human Resources Equal Opportunity Equity and Affirmative Action created a Workplace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisory council; and Student Affairs created a Diversity and Inclusive Action Committee; a working group was charged to recruit diverse new faculty members; and Wendell Ray brought his extensive radio experience to UWO’s director of radio services seat. We’re happy that UWO received a $300,000 grant from the United States Department of Justice to enhance programs reducing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campus. We support UWO’s decision to join the Culture of Respect Collective; and North Scott residence hall’s multi-cultural themed floor; the multi-cultural mural on Albee Hall dedicated to representing all diverse groups on campus; the Fredrich March Theatre name change to the Theatre Arts Center; the increased focus on LGBTQIA+ faculty, student and staff equity training; and increased Titan Advantage Program enrollment, serving first-year low-income students; the new mental health resources on campus; and continued federally funded Student Support Services for first generation students. We’re proud of our Associate Dean of Students Houa Xiong was named a top Asian American leader. We transformed the playbook of online teaching to help students learn. We hosted a 21-day racial equity habit building challenge. And our Alumni made us proud speaking out against racial injustice. All these experiences, initiatives and new opportunities continue to make UW Oshkosh a diverse, equitable and inclusive climate. Moving forward, we are also happy to announce that the EDIC will begin honoring one student each month for their willingness to ensure inclusivity in the campus community. Faculty, staff, or students across all three UWO campuses may nominate students who have demonstrated dedication to equity and inclusion in the Oshkosh, Fond du Lac, or Fox Valley campuses. The EDIC committee will open nominations beginning Spring 2021. Stay tuned for more details to come!
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UWO EDICWelcome to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UW Oshkosh) Equity, Diversity, Inclusive Climate (EDIC) Blog. Through this blog we will highlight the work that our committee is doing around issues of diversity and inclusion at UW Oshkosh. Archives
October 2020
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