In an effort to better identify opportunities to advance and support diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) at Mendoza, I’m pleased to let you know about two DE&I leadership changes:
Ken Kelley, senior associate dean for faculty and research, will serve as the faculty diversity advocate for Mendoza, with an emphasis on faculty recruiting and faculty hiring. Working with the Provost’s Office, the department chairs and search committees, Ken will seek to continue to broaden our searches to increase the number of highly qualified faculty candidates from underrepresented groups. Faculty members can take any suggestions, questions or concerns to Ken about DE&I (or any matter). My thanks to Jim Seida for previously serving in this role.
Kara Palmer, director of administration, will serve as the staff diversity coordinator. This is a new role for the College. As part of her appointment, Kara will be chairing a new Staff Diversity Council, which will assist the College in four DE&I-related areas for staff:
- Recruiting and hiring
- Engagement and education
- Talent identification and development
- Promotion of diversity, equity and inclusivity as part of the culture of Mendoza
The Staff Diversity Council’s purpose is to create and sustain an inclusive culture for all Mendoza staff by fostering an environment of dignity, respect and fairness that is grounded in our Catholic mission. These efforts will be facilitated through the College’s ongoing and continuing efforts to attract, retain and promote staff from all backgrounds, perspectives and abilities. We will share additional details as the Staff Diversity Council forms, but if you are interested in learning more, please contact Kara. Staff members should also continue to contact Kara with any DE&I suggestions, questions or concerns.
I’m thankful for the many efforts made to address issues of diversity, equity and inclusion at the College in recent months. A few examples include:
- Monthly DE&I sessions for faculty and staff to create opportunities for candid and open dialogue. This includes a recent workshop led by MNA academic director and M&O associate teaching professor Angela Logan on unconscious bias. (A recording is available here; downloadable PowerPoint presentation and responses.)
- The MBA student task force, which presented 44 recommendations across four themes to college leadership. We are working to implement most recommendations over the next year.
- A shift in student recruiting and program marketing to increase diversity, which resulted in seating our largest MBA class of women (32%) in recent years.
- A new MBA course focused on Gender Equity, which has been a highlight in our efforts to recruit more women to our MBA program. This year, we are adding another new course focused on how business can play a powerful role in promoting social justice, combating systemic racism and addressing economic inequality.
- Inclusive Leadership, a new undergraduate elective exploring the issue of gender equity in the workplace, debuted in the second half of the spring 2020 semester. The seminar-style course drew 24 students and was taught by M&O associate teaching professor Jessica McManus Warnell. The class was developed in response to undergraduate student interest and the ongoing activities in the MBA program led by MBA Women in Business and Men as Allies clubs.
As a community that recognizes every person’s intrinsic human dignity, it is incumbent on us to contribute to the flourishing of each individual, recognizing our reciprocal responsibilities and supporting one another. A spirit of diversity, equity and inclusion reflects this fundamental belief and underlies all that we do. I know many of you are greatly interested in advancing DE&I initiatives. Please contact Ken, Kara or me if you have suggestions, questions or concerns.
In Notre Dame,
Martijn