Diversity on Campus:
Monthly Newsletter | January 2024
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Welcome to the January Issue of Diversity on Campus!
The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion welcomes our OU community to campus as the new year and spring semester begins.
We hope that you were able to rest, connect with loved ones and prepare for the remainder of the 2023-2024 academic school year.
Although it is a time of change, the division is eager to serve our community through programming, collaborations, workshop and development opportunities and providing support and resources to our students, staff, faculty, campus and partners.
Sincerely,
DEI Team
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Finding Peace
Welcome to the spring semester of 2024. As we begin this semester, I want to acknowledge the season and space we are in. It is a season of uncertainty riddled with many narratives about the path and direction we need to go! Change is difficult, and yet it is the only thing that is constant. During this time, I encourage each of us to reflect on how we lead and serve our campus community. OU is a special place filled with brilliant minds, and I see a daily glimpse of the bright future ahead.
We are at a crossroads. Some see this as a season of doom and gloom, while others see this as a time of challenge and opportunity. It does not matter if you are an optimist or pessimist; you are entitled to feel what you feel. Many numerologists say the year 2024 is about power, energy, prosperity and thriving. I hope we will continue to create paths for our community to stand together united and that we will continue to listen to each other and create intentional spaces for being together. We must find a way to manage our differences without discarding people and encourage each other to persevere even when the path is uncharted or seems riddled with pitfalls.
Each generation is presented with choices and opportunities to leave its mark on history. I know that OU’s story is still being written. Let’s work together to lay a strong foundation for today and for future generations. We recently commemorated the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The world comes together once a year to have a day of remembrance. My challenge to each of us, as we begin anew, is: May our life work reflect the MLK quotes we post and speak with ease! One of my favorites is: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
As we continue to sojourn forward together, let’s be willing to struggle together to bring about positive change and impact that our community, state and country needs!

Warmly,
Vice President | Chief Diversity Officer
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Annual Report 2022-2023
At OU, Your Story is Our Story was the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion theme throughout 2022 and 2023. Our team has worked to cultivate communities of care and to create safer spaces that promote being seen, heard, valued and respected, which leads to a true place of belonging. We thank the OU community for helping to cultivate inclusion and belonging; none of what we do is possible without every member of our community’s support!
We are proud to share a summary of our success and to say thank you again for all that you do to improve the conditions that matter to students, faculty and staff across OU!
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Office of DEI at OU Norman
Welcome! As we embark on a new semester, we want to warmly welcome everyone. If this is your final semester here in Norman, we encourage you to embrace and enjoy your favorite experiences. Cherish the moments spent with friends and the unique atmosphere that our community offers.
Looking ahead, our office is excited to host a series of engaging events.
These include International Women’s Day, Living Library and the Lifting Voices of Inclusion Awards ceremony. These events are celebrations and opportunities for growth, learning and community building.
If you are interested in getting involved, we highly encourage you to check out our social media platforms. There, you can learn more about how you can volunteer, participate and even nominate individuals for the programs mentioned above. Involvement in these events is a chance to contribute to our vibrant community and make a lasting impact.
Remember the words of Nelson Mandela; “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” We are here for all members of our OU community. Our goal is to support and assist you in fulfilling your dreams.
You can find us in Copeland Hall, Room 130, for any queries or assistance.
We are here to help and look forward to seeing you at our events and around campus.

Office of DEI OU Norman
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Offices of DEI at OU-Tulsa and OU-HSC
Welcome back! It is with great joy that we warmly welcome every faculty and staff member and student as we embark on the spring 2024 semester
The University of Oklahoma thrives on the various backgrounds, experiences and perspectives each of you brings to this community. It is this chemistry that makes OU a place of growth, learning and mutual understanding. It is important that each of you realize that you play a crucial role in shaping the inclusive culture we aspire to cultivate here.
Together, let’s make this academic semester a time of unity, growth and mutual support.
Wishing you a successful and fulfilling semester,
Office of DEI at OU-Tulsa and OU-HSC
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TRIO Center: McNair Scholars Program Application Open
Are you an OU junior interested in seeking a Ph.D.? Consider applying for the OU McNair Scholars Program, which offers graduate school preparation, including a mentor-guided research experience, conference presentation opportunities, scholarly networks, and graduate application guidance. Scholars who complete the program requirements can earn a research stipend of up to $2,800 and receive support for a graduate school visit. To qualify for McNair, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is first generation (neither parent has a bachelor’s degree) and receives the Pell grant or from a group currently underrepresented in graduate education. Academic requirements include an overall/OU grade-point average of 3.00 or higher and at least 60 credit hours earned. There is no program deadline, but spots are limited. For more information, please visit mcnair.ou.edu.
Regards,
OU TRIO Center
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ADRC: Diana Awuor Joins ADRC
Diana C. Awuor, Ed.D., joins the Accessiblity and Disability Resource Center as assistant director of student support. In this role, she assists in supporting the day-to-day operations of the ADRC, serving undergraduate, graduate and professional students with disabilities with needs for academic access, testing and housing accommodations.
Awuor, a Fulbright Scholar, earned a bachelor of education-arts degree in English and literature from Kenyatta University, Kenya, a masters of arts degree in higher education administration with a focus on student affairs from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a doctoral degree in higher education leadership from Sam Houston State University.
In recent years, through her philanthropies, Awuor has championed cancer awareness, empowerment and motivation of people living with cancer and living after cancer diagnosis. She has focused on those who have been disabled by cancer after losing limbs or body parts. She has organized highly attended galas in Houston and Kenya involving fashion shows with cancer patients and survivors modeling high-end fashion - events which have been applauded as highly therapeutic. Additionally, Awuor offers healthy food to financially vulnerable cancer patients undergoing treatment in Kenya, and to immigrant cancer patients in the United States.
In higher education, she has worked as an alumni affairs coordinator at Africa Nazarene University in Kenya, a career counselor at Pennsylvania State University Alumni Association and at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She also took part in a school safety study at Sam Houston State University’s Center for Assessment, Research, and Educational Safety, which was funded by the Office of the Texas governor. During her free time, Awuor enjoys volunteering and offering care at disability care homes.
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Campus-Wide
News and Involvement Opportunities
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024 |
On Aug. 28, 1963, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before thousands to deliver a speech at March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. He’d prepared a speech and had ran it by his advisors a few days prior. They gave feedback and instructed him that they felt it was “too much” and not “a message that anyone would want to hear.” As a result, King re-worked his speech, omitting a large portion of it --- and the portion he’d believed to be the most powerful. As he stood on that hot August day to give his speech, he moved flawlessly through his prepared manuscript to start his time at the podium. After a while, King would hear a faint voice behind him, sitting on stage --- a familiar voice calling out to him. Shortly thereafter, as she continued to call out, he realized that it was his friend and musical star, Mahalia Jackson. She was saying to them, “Tell them about the dream, Martin! Tell them about the dream!”
In a moment’s notice, King broke away from his prepared manuscript and began to recite a portion of his speech that he had been instructed to omit. As he began to go off-script, his advisors became frantic - but the listeners seemed to be enthused as soon as King uttered, “I still have a dream... It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.” The reality is that what would become known as one of the greatest speeches ever given, in any corner of humanity, was the result of King going off script!
As we celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I want to encourage you to have the courage to “go off script” if you need to. Have the courage to stand when others won’t. Have the courage to be spontaneous when life presents you with the opportunity to do so for a greater purpose. Have the willingness to trust that you are doing what’s right, even when it’s not what’s popular. May you find ways today to serve others, love everyone and advocate for the voiceless.
Gary Jones
Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Price College of Business
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Spin @ OU, A Neurodivergency Support Program |
The ADRC is hosting a new program geared toward supporting Neurodivergent students at OU.
The Support Program for Individuals identifying as Neurodivergent or SPIN @ OU offers regular check-in meetings to work on student-identified goals for academic and life skills development. Additionally, we provide hands-on academic support throughout the semester for any issues that pop up, as well as assisting in connecting students to other campus support programs, tutoring services and accommodations support, as desired. Students are welcome to choose a consultation schedule that works for them, as we can arrange weekly, bi-weekly or monthly check-ins with further contact through email or our collaborative Canvas page.
SPIN @ OU is currently free for the 2023-2024 academic school year.
To enroll, students must submit documentation that has been written or compiled by a qualified provider. If a student has documentation on file with the ADRC, this documentation may already meet this requirement for enrollment. Registration with the ADRC is not required for enrollment in SPIN @ OU. However, we can assist students in getting registered if accommodations would promote their academic success.
SPIN @ OU abides by the ADRC documentation guidelines. If you have questions about the program, or if you are a student interested in enrolling, please feel free to reach out to us via email at SPIN@ou.edu.
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Bridges 2 Access: Health Care and Policy Conference
Oklahoman health professional students, physicians, community members and health care industry leaders identify and solve the most pervasive healthcare issues of our time. Our annual flagship conference serves as a forum for over 200 attendees and speakers alike to gain inspiration for ideas and projects they can implement in their personal and professional lives.
This year’s conference featuring keynote speaker Cindy Nguyen, showcases leaders in medicine, health care policy stewardship and the surrounding community. Attendees have the opportunity to learn from presenters and fellow students alike during the conference, with tailored breakout sessions and keynote presentations.
The conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10, in Nicholson Tower at OU-HSC.
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OU Food Pantry Collaboration
This project aims to increase the availability of culturally diverse foods in the OU Food Pantry to better support our community.
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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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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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Workshops and Development |
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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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Observance Calendar: Spring 2024
In a community of belonging, holidays, religious celebrations, days of remembrance and visibility and other socio-cultural observances are an essential part of identity.
This calendar provides our community with a robust overview of these observances throughout the fall semester.
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Give to the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion uses gifts to support the activities of the vice president, including funding grants, sponsorships, events, lectures and diversity workshops among our university students and larger OU community members, with the aim of creating more access and opportunities toward success for the community.

For that and for all the additional support we receive, we thank you!
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Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | United We Stand
The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution.
ou.edu/eoo
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