In support of our 2011-16 Strategic Agenda, the Executive Committee of the Administration (ECA) approved the Multicultural and Diversity Taskforce’s conceptual framework and recommendations for “Inclusive Excellence.” At this time, the ECA and I’d like to thank the members of the taskforce for their commitment and dedication to this important work outlined in our strategic agenda.
Taskforce Members
- Dr. Ashley Austin
- Ms. Ingrid Alexis-Goodman
- Dr. Evelyn Cartright
- Ms. Frederique Frage
- Ms. Cherie Knudson
- Ms. Patricia Ramlow,
- Dr. Scott Smith (chair)
- Dr. Ye Sheng
Inclusive Excellence is a framework to guide Barry University’s efforts to comprehensively and effectively engage diversity on our campus. The framework includes four key initiatives:
- Recruit compositionally diverse students, faculty and staff;
- Develop a campus climate that positively views and pursues inclusivity;
- Transforming curriculum, co-curriculum, and pedagogy to reflect and support goals for inclusion; and
- Demonstrate a strong institutional commitment by examining the impact of the traditional higher education practices on historical underserved students and developing plans, policies and procedures to systematically monitor and address those inequities.
Within this framework, engaging diversity is conceptualized as an ongoing process toward enhanced learning, rather than an outcome. It is important to note, that this is a conceptual framework, and should not be confused with a programmatic model.
Next fall, a Sister Linda Bevilacqua, Barry University President, will constitute a new taskforce that will be charged with reviewing the recommendations outlined by the taskforces and collaborating with faculty, staff, and students to develop an implementation strategy. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email at sfsmith@barry.edu.
Scott F. Smith, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs