Reflections from the DEI Office
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Three years ago, during the fall semester 2016, I was appointed to be the director of our new School of Social Work Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Our office was new for the school and our purpose was to work towards implementing our DEI 5 Year Strategic Plan. This plan proposed an office that would be a catalyst and coordinator of efforts to create a school that integrated diversity, equity, and inclusion on all levels. We did not intend for this office to be simply “window dressing” but for our work to be towards structural and significant change.
Since establishing the office in January 2017 we have worked hard to implement our plan. The first task was to hire a program manager who could carry out the day to day work. I was so pleased to be able to hire Lauren Davis who had the knowledge, values, and skills to do this work. She has been a critical key to our effectiveness.
Changing a large and complex organization such as the school of social work requires every person in our community to work together in implementing our plan including our administration, faculty, staff and students. Each of us has a role to play, all of us have ways to contribute, and everyone has things to learn. Any effort, no matter how “small” is important. There are no insignificant contributions.
Over the past three years we have made important progress. Some highlights for me have been increasing the diversity of our faculty, especially those who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, International, and Queer; improving education and support for faculty on inclusive teaching and PODS; involving over half of our faculty and staff in multiple day workshops on Undoing Racism and Racial Equity, including contributions to DEI into all faculty and staff annual evaluations, and adding signs to indicate the locations of gender inclusive restrooms in the building.
Our office has also sponsored or co-sponsored many events for our community including Jamon Jordan on housing discrimination in Detroit, a performance from creative artist Juliana Huxtable,
adrienne maree brown sharing her work on Emergent Strategy, workshops on governmental threats to queer rights and potential changes to DACA and other immigration policies, spirituality “speed dating,” and a powerful reading by author Bill Lopez on his book “Separated” on the impact of immigration raids and aggressive policing on communities of color.
We have also worked to be present and supportive when staff, students, and faculty have approached us with issues and concerns. These examples are only a snapshot of what we have been able to do.
As we move into the final year of our 5 year strategic plan our DEI office will be in the expert and visionary leadership of Prof. Larry Gant. I know he, Lauren Davis, our students, and all of us will work together to take our change to new levels. My work is not over and I look forward to continuing our work in my new role as Associate Dean for Educational Programs.
Lorraine Gutiérrez
Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program, and Professor of Social Work
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Words can not capture how grateful I am to have been the program assistant for the DEI office. I want to thank Lauren and Lorraine for believing in me and allowing me to grow in that space. My love and passion for DEI never wavered. In fact, I used my position to create safe spaces for students to feel heard, I attended meetings and sat in the DEI advisory board to show the university that a queer Latino undocumented student exists, most importantly, I never lost sight of putting my peers and colleagues first.
I am grateful for the DEI space and the work we have produced. I want to thank everyone who supported my role and also my hunger to change our curriculum and programming.
Gracias a todos.
Cuauhtemoc Salinas Martell
Program Assistant
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We are all survivors in one way or another. During the long 16 months or more, we’ve navigated this arduous program, we survived the stress, the pressure, the rigor, along with balancing personal journeys along the way. Even with all the personal struggles we individually faced, we found energy within ourselves to pour love and joy into everyone else’s cup, to help others while seeking help, and to come together as a community to organize around issues central to our being, our soul, to lay a foundation of transformation and truth in envisioning and creating a society that values all people.
My journey here, in Saginaw, Boston, Lansing, Detroit, Atlanta, Flint, Ann Arbor with friends and connections made along the way has led me to be confident in my skills as a policy analyst, community organizer, and future policy maker. To influence and create curriculum centered on Black and Brown folxs so we and future generations see ourselves in what we learn at institutions and beyond white social work towards inter-generational change. It has pushed me to prioritize my mental/physical health, engage in self/community care, and challenge myself and others into believing what is possible. Making space for grace when I or other people make mistakes. While having a community of support who love me and I love back. Thank you!
Florence Alexander
Program Assistant
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Welcome the incoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Director:
Dr. Larry Gant
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Larry M. Gant, Professor of Social Work at the School of Social Work and Professor of Art and Design at the School of Art and Design has been appointed the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program Director to begin January 1, 2020. He will take on the important job of leading the School’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Dr. Gant has been with the U-M School of Social Work since 1987 when he was hired as an Assistant Professor. In 1995 he was promoted to Associate Professor and to Professor in 2007. Dr. Gant earned his Ph.D. in Social Work and Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1986 and is a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of Michigan, in both clinical and macro practice.
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Apply to become a Social Justice
Dialogue Facilitator!
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Are you interested in helping people talk about social issues? Do you have experience leading group conversations or dialogue? If so, consider applying for a facilitator position in the Social Work & Justice Dialogue Program for Winter 2020.
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be hiring facilitators for our six-week program to co-lead students in ongoing dialogues. Participants will explore their positionalities, deepen their understanding of systems of oppression and learn about dialogue the intergroup dialogue process.
During their time together, the groups will practice employing these skills while engaging in dialogue using the topic of Mass Incarceration.
Facilitators will receive a stipend as well as training in facilitation and supportive advising to develop their skills.
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Thursday, December 12, 2019
10AM - 1PM
U-M Detroit Center
3663 Woodward Ave
Detroit, Michigan 48201
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Join us in celebrating our students' work in Detroit at the "Engage: Detroit Student Showcase" on December 12th, from 10 am to 1 pm at the Detroit Center. Transportation will be provided from the School of Social Work to the Detroit Center and back. Enjoy lunch while hearing about the inspiring work that students are doing, and network with Detroit-based activists, community organizations, elected officials, and each other!
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Introducing the new DEI Student
Advisory Board Member for Student Life
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Congratulations!
To the newly appointed SSW representative for the Student Life DEI Student Advisory board:
Justin Woods.
In his own words, his vision for his new role:
"As a social worker in training, I look forward to actualizing our professional commitment to social justice, and fostering healthy human connection. I hope to contribute to the board by sharing my perspectives and experiences as a Black queer student, as well as remaining humble so I may grow and learn as an accomplice to our collective liberation."
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DEI Highlights from November 2019
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The DEI Impact Awards recognized and honored the significant contributions by groups and individuals in the School of Social Work, in advancing diversity, equity & inclusion in the School of Social Work and/or in the community.
Congratulations!
To the recipients:
- Students: Sharon Almonte and Dominique Crump
- Clinical Assistant Professor: Justin Hodge
- Joint PhD Program Coordinator: Todd Huynh
- Undoing Racism Workgroup: Lisa Fedina, Lorraine Gutiérrez, Daicia Price, Richard Tolman
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Separated: Family and Community in the Aftermath of an Immigration Raid - A Book Talk with Bill Lopez
Bill Lopez joined us at the School of Social Work to discuss his book, Separated, which examines the lasting damage done by a daylong act of collaborative immigration enforcement in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
Exploring the chaos of immigration enforcement through the lens of community health, Lopez discussed deportation's rippling negative effects and revealed the efforts by families to cope with trauma, avoid homelessness, handle worsening health, and keep their families together.
The recording of the event can be found
here
.
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Immigration and Social Work: How We Can Effectively Engage Immigrant Communities
This event was conceptualized by the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as part of an ongoing effort to provide students in the School of Social Work, a platform to actively engage in conversations around immigration, how immigrant communities have been impacted and how social workers can effectively provide services and advocate for various immigrant communities.
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Farewell to our graduating
DEI student staff members!
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Cuauhtemoc Salinas Martell:
“ It’s not your job to be everything to everybody."
Anwesha De:
"Upholding diversity, is everybody's responsibility."
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We would also like to thank
Dr. Gutiérrez for her service and leadership as the director of the DEI Office the past three years and wish her well in her new role as Associate Dean for Educational Programs!
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Students - Let your voice be heard!
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The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion would like to share an opportunity for students to provide their interests, feedback, and vision in relation to DEI at the School of Social Work. The DEI office values input and engagement as methods to create strategic programming for our community.
Please take the time to fill out the
student engagement form
, by
Sunday, December 8th, 2019, by midnight.
I
t should take roughly 3-5 minutes to complete.
More information for a staff DEI Engagement form will be forthcoming in early 2020.
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