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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

At the President’s direction, the University has formed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee dedicated to informing and addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University. The committee has been charged with creating a foundation for diversity, equity and inclusion to build upon at our institution. The committee will develop strategies and goals for campus conversations to guide us as we develop a University vision for diversity, equity and inclusion, that will become integrated into our future strategic planning process. Through this committee, Southeastern will become more dedicated to fostering an environment of diversity, equity and inclusion.

 

Dr. Rolando Diaz
Assistant Professor (English, Spanish)
Co-Chair
J'Quavia Carr
Student, President Black Student Association
Member
Brina Ford
Director, Talent Search
Member
Kendra Gross
Director, McCurtain County Campus
Member
Dr. Ashley Hampton
Assistant Professor (Management and Marketing)
Member
Dr. Patricia Hornback
Associate Professor, MSNAL Coordinator
Member
Andre D. Johnson
Student Athlete
Member
Dr. David Monk
Assistant Professor (Behavioral Sciences)
Member
Dr. Michael Scheuerman
Chair, Department of Music, Director of Bands
Member
Tiffany Tate
Coordinator of Disability Services
Member
Katie Webb
Administrative Assistant, Athletics
Member
Dr. David Whitlock
John Massey Professor of Business
Member
Dr. Douglas Wood
Professor (Zoology)
Member
Dr. Thomas Newsom
President, Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Committee Sponsor

 

Vision Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational priorities at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. We are dedicated to embracing diversity at every level of the institution. We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to the recruitment, retention, and success of all students, faculty, and staff; to the support of multicultural curriculum content; and to the celebration of racial, ethnic, religious, ableness, veteran, age, color, national origin, and gender groups. At Southeastern, we strive to provide our students, faculty, and staff with the values, knowledge, and understanding necessary to thrive in a global society.

We acknowledge that a quality university experience must provide students with opportunities to become culturally competent citizens well prepared for the global workplace. As a university, we are committed to creating an engaging and inclusive environment for a diverse student body and equipping them to take an active role in building a more equitable and pluralistic society through academic achievement, campus involvement, and service.

At Southeastern, we affirm that our commitment to diversity requires us to understand that categories of difference can be fluid. We respect the individual’s right to self-identification and recognize that no one culture is intrinsically superior to another. As a public institution of higher learning, it is an important distinction to acknowledge that diversity includes not only ways of being, but also ways of knowing. As such, we will proactively attempt to address areas of discrimination and injustice and actively engage with members of diverse groups, leaders, and stakeholders at all levels in the organization to build effective alliances that promote environments where all individuals can thrive.

Vision Statement on Shared Values

Southeastern Oklahoma State University embraces a culture in which every community member is welcomed, supported, valued, and equipped to engage with a diverse world. We foster a safe environment of mutual respect for all students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to justice and fair treatment of all members of our community. We are dedicated to policies and practices that are equitable. Our university strives to be a community that is representative of the broad spectrum of the society we serve. As such, Southeastern is committed to the following shared values:

Dignity – Every person is worthy of respect, civility, validation, and just treatment.

Citizenship – Individuals have responsibilities to constructively engage and positively impact the evolution of their campus, local, and global communities.

Communication – Effective and honest communication is a mutually shared responsibility of every campus community member.

Ethics – Integrity, accountability, and fairness are the expectations of every member of campus.

Excellence – Every person is encouraged to strive for the highest standard in academics, personal and professional growth, campus life, and community involvement.