March 2022 News and Updates

The Office of Equity & Inclusive Excellence and the President's Commission on Equity & Inclusive Excellence (PCOE2) Dear A&M-SA community,  The Spring semester started with continued concerns about the safety and health of students, faculty, staff, and families. As weeks went by, we learned about the importance of safely coming together as a community once again. One of the frequent requests for the Equity & Inclusive Excellence office is to provide venues for learning, lively interaction, and meaningful conversations. Your participation is paramount, especially when critical issues arise--such as recent unrests in Eastern Europe or national challenges toward generating scholarly knowledge with academic freedom. With that intent of providing venues for examining critical issues, the PCOE2 and the office of equity and inclusive excellence continues to invest in supporting on-campus activities and to promote campus-wide events-- developed as stand-alone, or in partnership with different campus programs-- to engage us in cultivating a safe environment for knowledge production and advocacy. Last semester we launched the first PCOE2 and Office of Equity & Inclusive Excellence newsletter. Since then, we welcomed our new President's faculty fellow, Dr. Esther Garza, in January. Dr. Garza has been a professor of bilingual education for more than a decade and is now lending her expertise to enhance our equity and inclusion initiatives. We are excited at how she is bringing faculty together in activities that can support our students' success. Her initiatives come from a position of care and humility, supporting the great work of faculty, and our responsibility in carrying an authentic Hispanic Serving Institution and strategic mission. Since A&M-SA also recently received the Seal of Excelencia, there is much work to be done in order to embrace such important designations.   In this issue we also welcome Dr. Zeak Naifeh, our new Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, who talks about his focus on equity and inclusion. In addition, Dr. Rohan Christie-David, Dean in the College of Business, shared insights about the importance of voice and representation in the local and global workforce - starting with our students. The PCOE2 Bingo had two winners last December: Karissa Mitchem, Lift Program coordinator, and Allison Noll, academic advisor, who showed how much they knew about all things equity and inclusion--including our website features and office activities! A big thanks go to all PCOE2 members who helped put the Bingo card together. I hope you enjoy this issue, where we provide but a small sample of different ways A&M-SA is promoting equity and inclusion!

Elizabeth Murakami Special Assistant to the President on Diversity Equity and Inclusion PCOE2 & Heritage Month's Chair Visit our website

The COVID Clothesline Project

In the fall of 2021, the PCOE2 Communications Committee sought to find out how the pandemic has affected our campus community and allow everyone to express themselves. Index cards and pens were placed at three locations on campus for individuals to share comments on a clothesline.    Many comments expressed negative mental health aspects such as “feeling depressed,” “hopeless,” “lost,” “discouraged,” and “drained.” Others expressed they were struggling with issues related to COVID , such as loss of work, homelessness, missing family and friends, and working while trying to take care of ill family members. Some were concerned with trying to keep their family safe. Regrettably, many members expressed sadness over losing family and friends, with one individual stating they had lost 15 family members due to COVID.    On the positive side, individuals noted that they experienced personal growth during the quarantine. Some learned how to take better care of themselves, slow down, and take the time for personal reflection. Others learned not to take people and things for granted, “to cherish the time with people more,” and “look for a light in the darkness.” Some individuals posted encouraging words such as “stay strong,” “stay healthy,” “stay safe,” “together we can beat COVID.” Others sought to encourage others by stating, “self-care is real,” “you are important,” “we’re getting better,” “enjoy the moments with your friends,” “love one another and appreciate each other,” “continue to live life with HOPE,” and “kindness matters.”    This project taught us all that we need to respect and appreciate where our fellow Jags are—and care for each other through the good times and bad. We are a supportive campus and recognize that everyone has been impacted differently, but we are all stronger together. As one individual stated, “everything changed, BUT TOGETHER we can fix the future.”

Visit the Dean of Students' website Meet Dr. Zeak Naifeh  Associate Vice President and Dean of Students! Dr. Naifeh is full of energy, and his commitment to equity is outstanding! Here is his reflection on equity and inclusion as he starts at A&M San Antonio:    Invoking the words diversity, equity, and inclusion, calls us to action, to make the words mean more than the definitions and poetic words we apply to them to make us sound good. For them to come to life and flourish, we have to engage our students and community in the work of listening, understanding, and participation.    We have to be intentional with our actions, interactions, and opportunities we provide to everyone. Because our campus is so diverse, we have to ensure everyone has a seat at the table and sees others like themselves around campus. The reality of that work is hard, and translating the words of diversity, equity, and inclusion into a meaningful environment and campus is tough but worthwhile. We must stretch ourselves to create a campus that respects and values individual differences along varying dimensions and intersectionalities.    As leaders, we must invest time and resources and have the courage to make progress on and envision what an inclusive Texas A&M-San Antonio campus for the future looks like. As leaders (read as all of us), this is not only our duty to our students but our campus and community.    Welcome to A&M-SA, Dr. Naifeh!

Dr. Rohan Christie-David Dean at the College of Business Talking about diverse voices represented in the workplace Dr. Christie-David is enthusiastic about preparing students in the College of Business for a diverse workforce in the workplace. He notes: “Diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the workplace create social change-- through the development of skills among all sectors of the community. These practices  generate different perspectives, and add diverse voices represented in business opportunities.”  He believes such opportunities at A&M San Antonio begin with a representative admissions process that includes the recruitment of students from communities of color. “They are part of the important preparation of future professionals mirroring the demographic landscape of San Antonio, Texas, and beyond. Our students will have the opportunity to learn and engage in a variety of opportunities in corporate and non-profit organizations--and be our future entrepreneurial leaders!”  Dr. Christie-David invites you to visit and learn more about the College of Business' programs! Click here to visit the College of Business website

Faculty Coffee Chats: Celebrating Equity and Inclusion in the Curriculum On February 28, Dr. Esther Garza, President’s Faculty Fellow for Diversity Equity and Inclusion organized a kick-off Faculty Coffee Chat to celebrate the initiative of faculty in three different groups focused on equity in all three Colleges: Faculty fellows in the Association of Colleges and University Educators (ACUE) Inclusive Teaching for Equitable Learning (ITEL) taking a micro-credential course to create a more equitable and just learning environment for students The faculty in the Equity and Inclusion (E/I) Course Designation Taskforce are ambassadors and mentors helping others in understanding how equity and inclusion can be identified in different disciplines and courses The Diversity Equity and Inclusion College Representatives who joined this powerful group during the chat Dr. Mary Ann Villarreal, Vice President for Equity at the University of Utah, was a special guest, and recognized the efforts of A&M-SA faculty. She talked about the important journey towards equity--that faculty and students can take together.   Future Faculty Coffee Chats for each college are planned for the remaining months of the semester to provide faculty with a space for conversations about the learnings and applications for ACUE and ITEL, and to recognize the efforts of EI Course Designation mentors in sharing their Equity and Inclusion suggestions to their colleagues in support of students. Look out for an invitation to join the fellows and task-force mentors to engage in purposeful discussions or questions related to supporting equity and inclusion initiatives on campus: March: Faculty Coffee Chat in the College of Education April: Faculty Coffee Chat in the College of Arts & Sciences May: Faculty Coffee Chat in the College of Business

PCOE2 General Meetings  The PCOE2 members met January 31 and February 28 and have received two outstanding speakers to bring insight and inspiration to the work of the President’s Commission on Equity and Inclusive Excellence:

Dr. Mary Ann Villarreal Dr. Villarreal visited us from the University of Utah where she serves as inaugural Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. She provides leadership and strategic oversight of diversity and inclusion initiatives across the University’s academic and health sciences campuses.  Dr. Villarreal talked about the real work of equity—highlighting the importance of moving beyond isolated diversity efforts. She remind us that increasing the numbers of students of color does not necessarily change the academic and campus culture. Students may still feel like they don’t belong or are part of the University. She invited us to (a) be Champions – where closing equity gaps is personal; (b) educate the Novice, who may be aware of talking equity, but may need help in walking the talk (moving from awareness to commitment to action); and (c) encourage the Naysayer, by engaging in conversations about equity. "Equity, like technology, must be adopted, ingrained, and maintained by all areas of the University," Dr. Villarreal stated. "When university outcomes improve for historically and underserved groups, the entire community is strengthened."

Dr. Michael Boucher With the title “More than an Ally,” Dr. Boucher’s book presents an essential theoretical framework on solidarity. Based on White teachers and African American students, his presentation extended to serving students at the University. Dr. Boucher argued that it is not enough to be an ally--where one retains privilege, but remains separate and does not enter in relationships with students." Instead, he invited us to consider Caring Solidarity as an ongoing political commitment to students and their communities. Many shared equity leadership values compose the elements in the framework for caring solidarity--as a need to participate deeper into being a role model for other White people. Dr. Boucher argued about the importance of taking a stand to be anti-racist, dismantling systems of oppression, causing “good trouble,” and getting in the way of white supremacy. Thank you, Dr. Boucher!

PCOE2 Events  In an effort to bring quality programs to A&M-SA students, faculty, and staff, PCOE2 have sponsored, partnered or endorsed a number of activities on campus. During African American History Month, events were focused on cultural celebrations and the importance of civic engagement. Step Afrika! raised the audience’s participation into an exciting vibe of dance, music and cultural expression. Meanwhile, Dr. Jason Pulliam, the first African-American federal judge serving the Western District in San Antonio and State Representative Ina Minjarez engaged in a lively conversation about the importance of being educated about the contemporary political landscape, helping students understand the importance of their voices in the voting process. Dr. Lawrence Scott moderated this dialogue and Dominique Escobedo and Aaron Guerrero from the Mays Center provided information about voting at A&M-SA. These events remind us that even though COVID has isolated and separated families and friends-- the community, safely together can again engage in important conversations and join in celebrating each other as an A&M-SA community. Check below to see what our students say about voting in this Mays Center video Jaguars' view about Voting

PCOE2 Sponsorship Opportunities: Submit your Proposal by May 1!  Each semester the PCOE2 provide sponsorship funding (multi-semester and single semester) of up to $2,500 per semester for academic or co-curricular projects (including research, activities, and events) that will contribute to the equity-mindedness of the entire campus and the broader community. Awards are granted twice a year.  Applications for Fall 2022 semester projects are welcome to be submitted for PCOE2 review by May 1, 2022. Read more about the criteria and submit your application through the website: Visit the PCOE2 Sponsorship website

Promoting Equity through the Common Read Common Experience, a program within the Office of First-Year Experience, enhances student participation in the intellectual life of the campus by encouraging open discussion, civil discourse, and critical thinking. Through the Common Read, a book that all first-year students receive, a full program is offered where students dive deeper into crucial conversations that both students and the campus community can benefit from.     In the fall of 2021 the program has reached new successes through partnerships and creative events with a variety of different identities to help support the diversity, equity, and inclusion of our campus. A few highlights from the semester included Reconnecting with Your Inner Child series, which discussed the effects of childhood trauma and ways to heal; the A&M-SA Land Acknowledgement event where a panel of Indigenous leaders spoke on how we can take action to support Indigenous communities; and the Culture and Religion: Leaning into the Unknown event, which allowed students to explore different holidays, cultures, and religions from around the world. The Spring’s Common Read invite faculty and staff—along with students to enjoy fun, interactive, community based, and insightful events.  Click below to learn more about this and other activities: Learn more about the Common Read Experience

Murals as Expressions of Equity and Inclusion In collaboration with Contemporary Art Month (CAM), A&M-SA will be inviting local artists to create a mural on campus next to the Pavillion. The goals of this project is to support the talents of the artistic community in San Antonio, reflect on the diversity of A&M-SA and foster greater dialogue between the university and the communities we serve. With a vision of creating a landmark, Dr. Justin Korver, from the department of language, literature and arts, along with others in the mural project committee shared that when selecting artists, the committee will include considerations of how engaged the artist is with diversity, equity and inclusion. Corrin LeVasseur, Executive Director of Operations said: Diversity, equity, and inclusion means that students need to see themselves, especially reflecting the racial and ethnic diversity of our community—we want the mural to capture our campus’ aspiration of even greater diversity. Dr. Korver reflected: The mural should reflect the uniqueness and individual quality of the artist who creates it. We also want it to be an opportunity for community engagement with students, staff, faculty, and the San Antonio community.

Black Lives Matter Sidewalk What a fantastic way to celebrate African American History Month! The celebrations at A&M San Antonio ended with the unveiling of the new Black Lives Matter Sidewalk. The initiative was led by Black Student Union President, Xavier Watson and can be seen in front of the Food Truck area.

Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence  Texas A&M University-San Antonio  One University Way  Central Academic Building 423  San Antonio, Texas 78224  https://www.tamusa.edu/equity | equity@tamusa.edu