Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council
June 29, 2020
Dear Ursuline Community, 
 
Earlier this month, Ursuline Academy  affirmed our commitment  to standing with the Black community in the fight against racism in America and doing our part within our school and our community. Through our newly expanded Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council, we will continue working to foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and one that prepares the Ursuline community to go out into the world and be change makers. 

Ursuline Academy's President, Dr. Trisha Medeiros, has appointed Donna May, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Coordinator, and Lisa Chew Clody '83, Director of Enrollment, as co-chairs of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council. The council, which will be comprised of students, faculty, Board of Trustees members, parents, and alumnae, is tasked with developing a  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan  by the   end of 2020 .  This plan will serve as a roadmap, detailing specific, measurable, and time-bound goals for addressing bias, prejudice, discrimination, and racism. Dr. Medeiros will work closely with the council to implement the action plan. 

We are seeking to assemble a working group of members of the Ursuline Academy community with related previous work or personal experiences, and/or a passion in this area. We encourage all members of the Ursuline community who have an interest in volunteering support to the council to email Donna May,  dmay@ursuline.org  by July 10, 2020. 

The important work of the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council will begin with a series of listening exercises, which will help us determine where to focus our efforts. Community members will be surveyed to assess the current pulse on diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Ursuline Academy community. The council will research methods to measure growth annually to ensure sustainability. An update will be provided soon with further details, including other ways the Ursuline community will be engaged in the process.

We know that together, we can and will be part of the solution.
Donna May & Lisa Chew Clody '83
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Council, co-chairs