August Newsletter - Producing Outstanding Scholarship and State of Diversity Report

ADAPTING TO A NEW NORMAL

August 2020 Volume 1, Issue 6

Happy Fall Semester and Welcome Back to Campus!

Whether you will be joining us virtually or in-person this semester, we want to wish you a safe and successful start to the new school year! Although back-to-school might look a little different than usual here in Aggieland, the opportunities to engage with the campus community remain plentiful. Here in the Office for Diversity, we have shifted our Enhancing Diversity Seminar Series to Zoom.

Texas A&M has issued COVID-19 guidance to enhance the safety of those returning to campus. Free testing is available for all students, faculty, and staff who have symptoms or have been in close contact with known or suspected cases. The tests provided through this program are mouth swab tests that do not require assistance. More information can be found at the Student Health Services website.

We thank you for your commitment to keeping yourself and others safe as we return to our “new normal.” Although the changes that lie ahead may seem daunting, rest assured that the Office for Diversity will be there for you as an ally and a resource.

2020 is the 10th anniversary of Texas A&M University’s 2010 Diversity Plan. The 2010 Diversity Plan established diversity as an indispensable component of academic excellence. The 2020 State of Diversity Report reviews how far we have come on the 2010 Diversity Plan goals of accountability, campus climate, and equity. The 2020 report also pinpoints the work that we still have to do. Because it is imperative, especially in times of crisis, that we make sure that all plans and are pursued with careful attention to their impact on our diversity, inclusion, and accessibility goals.

PRODUCING OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP

Dr. John Singer

Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion

Dr. John Singer is the Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion and Associate Professor of Sport Management in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at Texas A&M University (TAMU). We interviewed Dr. Singer about his book, Race, Sports, and Education: Improving Opportunities and Outcomes for Black Male College Athletes, which focuses on the myriad of ways in which organized collegiate sport has both positively contributed to and negatively detracted from the educational experiences of Black male college athletes. He also discusses his Diversity Operations Committee participation.

What is the inspiration for your research?

The inspiration for my book was the three ...

ENHANCING DIVERSITY SEMINAR SERIES

The Enhancing Diversity Seminars are designed to engage the campus community in dialogue around topics and issues related to diversity, campus climate, equity, and inclusion. The fall seminars will be held virtually in October and November. Save the date for October 15 and November 10, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. The October seminar will he presented by Drs. Beverly Irby, Valerie Hill-Jackson, and Billy Pugliese. They will be presenting their 2020 NCORE Session “Mentoring Up: A University-Community Based Mentoring Program for Future First-Generation High School Students and Post-Secondary Preparation.” The November Seminar Series presentation will feature Dr. Sergio Lemus and his topic will be "The Use of Border Theory to Explain Colorism: An Anthropological View." Students, faculty, staff, and community members are all welcome and encouraged to participate.

GRADUATE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Anthony R. Ramirez is a Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University with an academic focus on Latinx identity and representation within popular culture. Other research interests include media representation of immigration and issues of the U.S./Mexico border. During his time at Texas A&M, he has been an instructor for a variety of classes within the Department of Communication, has served as the President for the Latinx Graduate Student Association, and has been involved in several projects with the Latinx community. Ramirez is from El Paso, TX, and enjoys spending time with his loved ones. He is a big fan of Batman, Pearl Jam, the New York Giants, and, most importantly, green chicken enchiladas.

ACES FELLOWS APPLICATION OPEN

Texas A&M University’s Accountability, Climate, Equity, and Scholarship (ACES) Fellows Program is a faculty pipeline initiative that connects those advancing outstanding scholarship with relevant disciplinary units on campus. The ACES Fellows Program is a two-year (24 month) fellowship for early career Ph.D.s. Applicants should have earned their Ph.D. between January 1, 2017 and July 1, 2021. Fellows will begin their appointment fall 2021. Applications are due on October 1, 2020 by 9:00 a.m.

The Office for Diversity announces a call for proposals for Diversity Matters Seed Grants for 2020-2022. The Diversity Matters Seed Grant program supports research projects designed to make a positive impact on Texas A&M University’s Diversity Plan goals of accountability, campus climate, and equity. Seed grant proposals are open to Texas A&M University students, faculty, staff, as well as previous recipients. Proposal are due on October 1, 2020 by 12:00 p.m.