Diversity on Campus:
Monthly Newsletter | December 2022
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Welcome to the December Issue of Diversity on Campus!
The end of the semester is here and winter break is about to begin!
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion hopes you have a safe and restful break.
Happy holidays and we can’t wait to see you next semester and to continue sharing in our OU community’s stories.
As always, thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
DEI Team
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Getting Back to Joy
The holiday season has been deeply impacted over the past few years. This year I hope you find time to return to the things that bring you joy. Connect with family and friends, find a short series to binge-watch, or lean into a habit you pushed to the side. This season can also be difficult for those who have experienced significant loss. I encourage you to try and find joy in the little things, like a sunny day in the middle of December, watching your dog chase the squirrels in the backyard, and seeing the excitement on children’s and grandchildren’s faces as they see the holiday lights light up the neighborhood and city. You may not always feel happy, but joy can sustain you.
From all of us in the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
we wish you a joyous holiday season!
Belinda Higgs Hyppolite, Ed.D.
Vice President | Chief Diversity Officer
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Read the 2021-2022 Pathway to Belonging Annual Report |
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Supporting the university’s efforts to continue creating a community of belonging, the division has enacted several initiatives, collaborations and outreach efforts. Alongside finding more details about these efforts, you will find data that showcases the impact of DEI, and areas where opportunities still exist.
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The TRIO Center congratulates one of our December graduates, Gaylan Randle. Randle started in TRIO with Project Threshold and was accepted as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar in 2021.
A health and exercise sciences major, for his McNair project Randle conducted research on the neuromuscular determinants of human movement under the direction of Hugo Pereira. He presented the research findings at conferences in California and Texas.
Randle’s professional goal is to become a physical therapist. When not focused on academics and research, Randle is often honing his excellent skills as a photographer.
Congratulations, Gaylan!
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The end of a semester brings with it many changes. It can bring new opportunities and signal the start of a new chapter, but for every new chapter we begin, the previous chapter must end.
After dedicating several years respectively, graduate assistants Ellie Pochyly and Carol Kennedy are ending their chapters with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center to open the next chapter in their education.
Pochyly will complete her social work concentration year practicum experience with public strategies and Kennedy will complete hers with OU Higher Education Prevention Services.
These incredible women are passionate advocates for those whom they serve and have shown tremendous growth in the time they have been with the ADRC.
They are innovative, creative and persistent in their efforts to normalize disability and are a constant source of support and validation for the many students with whom they have worked. Their departure is a significant loss for the ADRC but an equally significant gain for their practicum sites.
Pochyly and Kennedy will be greatly missed, but we are excited for them as they embark on this new journey. Great things are in store for Pochyly and Kennedy, and we wish them all the best in their new roles and in all future endeavors!
Congratulations Ellie and Carol!
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Living Library is an event organized by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in partnership with International Programming, International Advisory Committee and Multicultural Programs and Services.
Living Library will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 25.
Living Library is an event that aims to truly showcase people and highlight their stories. In this event, readers can borrow people serving as open books and have conversations they would not normally have access to.
Living books from our bookshelf represent a group in our society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin and more.
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Become a Catalyst of Change With D.O.V.
To help ensure the university is a place of belonging for all, join the Diversity Outreach Volunteer program.
As a D.O.V., you can help foster community as you develop connections across campuses.
Are you ready?
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Campus-Wide
News and Involvement Opportunities
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The Norman Philharmonic Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
Music and artistic director,
Richard Zielinski and the Norman Philharmonic and Unity Choir will host a concert on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023.
The concert will feature saxophonist Jonathan Nichol and provide a rich music experience to honor the late activist.
The concert will occur at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church 419 S. University Blvd., Norman, Oklahoma.
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The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion wants to provide its campus partners the ability to share their events, webinars, tutorials and other items related to DEI. If selected, your materials will be listed on the DEI website. |
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OU Employee Resource Groups
At OU, the Employee Resource Groups are an open forum for individuals with a shared identity to build community and a place of belonging.
ERGs are available at all three campuses and include Black faculty and staff, African American faculty and staff (OU Health), Latinx Coalition, Indigenous Faculty and Staff Circle, LGBTQ+ faculty and staff, Iranian faculty and staff, and Asian Pacific Islander Desi Indian faculty and staff.
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Monthly Observance:
December 2022
Discover the celebrations, observances and awareness initiatives of December.
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Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | United We Stand
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