We asked the faculty and staff on Columbia SPS's first DEIA Committee: Why did you want to join the committee and what do you hope to accomplish?
Through my lived experience as a first-generation, low-income student and subsequently as an advocate and scholar of DEIA learning frameworks in higher education, I believe it is my duty and purpose to contribute to the Columbia SPS initiative. My goal is, with the support and guidance of our leadership and committee, to develop faculty diversity hiring growth goals and contribute to the development of a DEIA learning framework for our community."
I am looking forward to working with the inaugural committee in establishing a strong inclusive space for faculty, students, and staff to learn from one another."
Working with the committee, I hope to ensure representations both in and of SPS accurately reflect our community."
My interest in this work is both professional and personal. Professionally, I am eager to help create an environment where all students, faculty, and staff will feel safe, supported, and valued so that they can thrive in all aspects of their professional life. Personally, I am eager to be a better person."
My work largely revolves around making the expertise and resources at SPS accessible to new and under-represented communities. I'm looking forward to building on my work by encouraging my fellow colleagues to include these communities in their programming, events, and policies."
I want to help foster a culture that embraces tough conversations and embodies solidarity. We need to develop and promote strategies within the realms of DEIA to better serve our community and be the lens of our organization."
I believe the inaugural SPS DEIA committee will enable us to work collaboratively to enhance DEIA practices and processes that ultimately benefit our students and their educational experience."
I nominated myself as a result of comments I made during an SPS faculty meeting where I emphasized the importance of faculty involvement on a committee to help guide and monitor our school's effort towards diversity and inclusiveness. My desire was to demonstrate a personal commitment towards making SPS and the Columbia campus a more harmonious environment for everyone."
We have to shift to a common understanding that everyone is capable; it just looks different for everybody."
I hope to take the goals and initiatives of the DEIA committee and connect it with the student body. I want to create safe spaces and coordinate sustainable opportunities for all students and student organizations to get involved."
My hope is to continue the recognition, acceptance, and motivation to change systematic policies and procedures that have no place in our world in order to ensure that our children's future is equitable."
I want to share ideas and initiatives that can improve the student, faculty, and staff members' experience on campus. I think it is crucial to embrace our multicultural student population and practitioners who are steering and bringing innovation to our different professional fields."
I want to contribute to creating a more equitable environment and inclusive culture at SPS so that all members of our SPS community feel a genuine sense of belonging and comfort expressing all aspects of their identity. When we come to work, no one should feel like an outsider or like the 'other.'"
By joining the SPS DEIA Committee I hope to be part of a trailblazing group that will bring forth unity, safe spaces for all, and opportunities to learn from each other. All members of the SPS community should feel that they belong and as long as I am a part of this committee that will be my goal!"
I hope to foster an inclusive culture, make meaningful changes, and provide impact and support for our student body, alumni, faculty, and staff."
As a working mother, and the mother of three daughters, I hope we can create a workplace free from bias and stereotypes and embrace our diverse experiences, acknowledging what each person brings to the table."
My hope is for us to develop meaningful and sustainable programs and practices that build upon Columbia's mission to advance diversity, and to grow in my understanding of what it means to build a diverse and inclusive organization."
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of any other person or entity.
