One thing that I learned soon after arriving at Wright State, just shy of two years ago, is that there are many individuals and areas on our campus that are doing great work as it relates to inclusive excellence.My hope is that we can highlight and capture some of that great work in this newsletter.

In addition, as we celebrate and close yet another successful academic school year, we are already contemplating a host of great things to come in the 2023/24 academic school year. Hopefully, many of you have taken the opportunity to complete the campus climate survey. The Culture and Identity Centers will be moving to a new and exciting space in the Student Union. What is even more exciting is that we have added another Center space for our students with disabilities. A space where they can call home, learn and grow, a space where they can gather and network and create exciting programs and initiatives for our campus community.

Lastly, there are a host of new and exciting ventures ranging from inclusive excellence educational opportunities to strategic planning initiatives focused on inclusion and many more activities that will allow us to be an exemplar of inclusive excellence.

I want to give a special thank you to the Asian and Native American Center, Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center, Latino Center, LGBTQA Center and the Women’s Center for their hard work in support of this work. I also want to thank each of you in our campus community for your leadership and support. As we close this busy and exciting school year, let us begin to contemplate the great things to come.

Dr. Matthew C. Chaney

Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

The Culture and Identity Centers (CIC) are bidding farewell to their spaces in Millett Hall, effective May 5, 2023.

Beginning May 8, 2023, the CIC will be located in their temporary location in 108a Student Union, Stay tuned for updates about the opening of our new space in 023 Student Union later this summer.

Congratulations to our Class of 2023 Raider and Laker graduates. We are excited to celebrate this achievement with you. More than 1,600 students are expected to graduate during Wright State University’s spring commencement ceremonies.

The spring class of 2023 includes graduates with 1,111 bachelor’s degrees. Of those bachelor's degrees, we have 1 Native American, 1 Pacific Islander, 33 Hispanic, 39 Asian, and 78 Black graduates. The spring class also includes 498 graduate degrees. Of those graduate degrees, we have 8 Hispanic, 19 Asian, and 26 Black graduates.



We are so proud of your hard work and determination to get to this point. Keep celebrating, keep achieving, keep learning, and keep venturing on through your journey!

Please look for your survey reminder email about the NACCC from [email protected] and click the survey link inside to participate. Your responses will be confidential. Students who complete the NACCC survey will be automatically entered into a drawing where you will have a chance to win an Apple Watch, AirPods, a Wright State hoodie, or a Wright State throw blanket.

Your experiences and perceptions of equity on campus are invaluable. Because your voice matters, it is important to participate in the survey, as it will enable you to become an active participant for the continued success of Wright State University. Thank you so much for your support in making Wright State a more positive and inclusive campus where everyone’s humanity is valued, celebrated, and appreciated.

spending hours writing papers at an empty table in the Bolinga Center.

“Bolinga gave me security and confidence,” said Hill, who would handwrite all of his papers because he could not afford to have them typed.

Handwriting those papers was no easy task for Hill.

When he was a second grader at Edison Elementary School in Dayton, his teacher told him that his handwriting looked like chicken scratch. While such harsh words would have crushed most children, Hill took the criticism as an impetus for self-improvement. He would grab every piece of scrap paper that he could find, using them as blank slates on which he could practice his handwriting.

Even as a Wright State student, Hill was still perfecting his handwriting.

“The Bolinga Center kept one of my papers as an example for other students,” said Hill. “The Bolinga Center was very instrumental in the growth of Wright State students. It’s very important that students and alumni know that.”

Hill’s desire to help future generations of students served by the Bolinga Center and the African American Alumni Society inspired his recent gift to the university. Along with contributing to the Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center Student Emergency Fund and the Bolinga Center Program Fund, he has created the Arthur L. Hill (Bowdean) Endowed Scholarship.

As a proud Wright State graduate, Hill is happy to give back to his alma mater.

“One of the main feathers in my hat is a degree from Wright State. It always will be, because nobody can ever take that back,” said Hill, who graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Over the years, Hill has served in the military, where he went to officer candidacy school. He has also worked as a substitute teacher in Dayton Public Schools and as a guide at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House. He is currently a janitor at Goodwill.

Hill hopes his gift will inspire other Wright State alumni.

“If a little old janitor can do something, everyone can do something,” he said.

From left: Bill Bigham, Director of Planned Giving, Bing Bingham '16, Alumni Relations Officer, Carolyn Wright '73, '78, Arthur Hill '75, Dr. Matthew C. Chaney, Vice President for Inclusive Excellence, and Abdul Shakur Ahmad

Welcome to our Inclusive Excellence Spotlights! In each newsletter, we will be celebrating inclusive excellence at Wright State by highlighting our students (undergraduate or graduate), our colleagues, student organization, or department who are working to make Wright State a welcoming place for everyone.

If you would like to nominate a person, organization, or department for the IE Spotlights, please complete the nomination form.

How long have you been at Wright State?

14 years

Why is engaging in inclusive excellence important to you?

Engaging in inclusive excellence is important to me personally and professionally, because it goes beyond writing something on paper, but actually doing the work needed to ensure a more equitable, diverse world that encompasses social and individual differences so EVERYONE can thrive.

How do you contribute to inclusive excellence work at Wright State?

I promote DEI through my actions and follow through on my words. I am proud of the Public Safety’s work in DEI over the last couple of years. We have completed training and programs here at WSU, OSU, USF, and internally as a department. One of my goals as Director/Chief of Public Safety has been to make a more inclusive department for campus. We always talk about being a welcoming campus, an inclusive campus, but it starts with being a safe campus. I am proud and the department is proud to provide a safe community so the work of inclusive excellence thrives.I will continue contributing by being an example for the team I have been entrusted to lead, the community I have been entrusted to serve, and to be an example for my wife and children to grow up in a world that understands and values the importance of DEI and the work of Inclusive Excellence.

What do you see as strengths at Wright State related to inclusive excellence?

I see Wright State University’s strengths in Inclusive Excellence from how it continues to engage with everyone in the university, surrounding community, and on the state level. WSU leads through action and I am proud of our work as a university, but also understand the work never stops.

In what areas would you like to see at Wright State related to inclusive excellence?

I would like to see more speaker series related to the importance of inclusive excellence. I think it would be neat to see a Student Speaker Series of our awesome students, and an Employee Speaker Series to hear our awesome employees further engage and continue the much-needed dialogue by learning from each other and about each other.

What advice do you have for other faculty or staff who are interested in getting involved in inclusive excellence work?

The best advice is to “Do Something.” Many times, we overthink, because there is so much work to do. Whatever you do, be authentic in your actions and words.

Why is engaging in inclusive excellence important to you?

Inclusion is something that people with disabilities have had to fight very hard for. Considered by many to be the “mother of disability rights,” we just lost Judy Heumann earlier this month, she fought for people with disabilities to be included in public spaces, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which was the precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Until Section 504, discrimination existed in education, employment, housing, transportation, access to public buildings and other facilities, access to equal medical care and in many other areas. Even with legal access, bias, microaggressions, stereotypes, and discrimination are still everyday experiences for those with disabilities. Inclusive Excellence needs to be more than thoughts and hopes, we need to actively advocate for the inclusion of ALL identities: race, gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, gender expression, disability, and all of the many other aspects that makes each of us unique.

How do you contribute to inclusive excellence work at Wright State?

The Office of Disability Services provides access to the curriculum for individuals with disabilities, without that access many students would be excluded from the educational experience. Anyone can develop a disability at any point, so it is important that see and respect the other aspects of an individual’s identity.

What do you see as strengths at Wright State related to inclusive excellence?

Disability is not always part of inclusive excellence and diversity programs, but it has always included at WSU. In addition to accommodations provided by ODS, WSU is overall highly accessible which helps students with disabilities not feel “othered” by always needing to use alternate entrances or having classrooms relocated to accessible locations. The addition of non-gender restrooms expanded on this for our transgender students across campus. I hope that our students feel welcome, safe, and wanted at WSU.

In what areas would you like to see at Wright State related to inclusive excellence?

I would love to see Universal Design implemented in our curriculum as it would help support all types of learners.

What advice do you have for other faculty or staff who are interested in getting involved in inclusive excellence work?

None of us can do everything on our own or at once, we need each other. When we are inclusive at every level we can lean into our peer’s knowledge, expertise, and experience.

They also have goals of creating a portfolio at the end of their undergrad and pursue all their ambitions after Wright State.

year, he modified them so there are two separate meetings per month, one for the students and the other for the faculty, staff, and administration. Gary has stepped in to create an approach to the talks in a more effective manner to encourage a more productive discussion among the students, faculty, staff, and administration. BSU also held their grand event, the Block Party, on April 7th. The Block Party is a collaboration with other student organizations such as African Res and RCA, along with many more. The BSU is a force of progress and aspiration by encouraging the current and future students of Wright State.

The Black Student Union was awarded Organization of the Year & Program of the Year for Black Reality Talks for the 2022-2023 Wright State University Student Leadership Awards.

success of the Latino community and seeks to recruit, retain, empower, graduate, and advance Latino/Hispanic students at Wright State University.

The Latino Center seeks to be a home for past, current, and future students, as well as a place for students to find their familia and role models on campus. The center aids all Wright State University colleges in the recruitment, retention, and relationship of Latino students, faculty, staff and community.

Recruitment: During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Latino Center welcomed 150 Latino high school students on campus via a collaborative effort with Dayton Public Schools, Tecumseh High School, and West Carrollton High School. The Latino high school students not only experienced campus tours led by Admissions, affordability sessions led by Raider Connect, and a resource fair that highlighted each Wright State College, but also learned of how the Latino Center can support their academic success, increase their sense of belonging on campus, and help address challenges specific to the Latino community. This upcoming June, the Latino Center will again partner with each WSU college to provide a Summer Day Program open to Latino high school students. The Summer Day Program will seek to prepare students for college by teaching success strategies and career readiness, highlighting each WSU College, and providing a math and writing college prep component.

Retention: The Latino Center provided a host of programs and support services designed to increase the sense of belonging of current Latino/Hispanic students by providing ample opportunities for Latino students to meet their Latino peers and allies. Working collaboratively with the Amigos Latinos Student Association, programs included the Latino Center First Weekend Welcome Breakfast, Family Weekend’s Bachata Music and Dominoes Tournament, Respect Your Dinero Financial Literacy, and the Scholarship and FAFSA Workshop to name a few.

In the Fall 2022 semester, the Latino Center provided the “Latino, Si Se Puede” First Year Seminar Course, geared to teaching new incoming Latino/Hispanic students success strategies needed for a positive first year experience, all taught through the lens of the Latino culture. A student enrolled in the Fall 2022 course, shared “This class was great. It offered a safe place to be myself and the instructor offered a place/class where I could invest in my future. She gave me all the tools I need to be a successful student." The Latino, Si Se Puede First Year Seminar Course will be offered again in the Fall 2023 semester.

In Fall 2022, the Latino Center pioneered the Latino Success Peer Mentorship Program which connects new incoming Latino/Hispanic students with upperclassmen for support in navigating the university.

In addition to programming, the Latino Center’s physical space seeks to provide a safe place for all students irrespective of class, sexual orientation, nationality, citizenship, or immigration status by working closely with the Amigos Latinos Student Association. Its mantra since 2014 remains true, “Amigos Latinos, where you don’t have to be Latino to be a friend.” Student’s are encouraged to join the vibrant Amigos Latinos Student Association via Engage.

Relationship: The Latino Center, working collaboratively with the Amigos Latinos Student Association, was intentional in connecting students to the local Latino community by encouraging volunteering at PACO’s Hispanic Heritage Festival and at El Puente Educational Center in effort to pay it forward and pour into the next generation of Latino students. The Latino Center also provided graduation ceremonies at the end of both Fall and Spring semesters to highlight WSU Latino graduates and foster relationships with them as WSU’s newest group of Latino Alumni.

In October 2022, the Latino Center organized the Amigos Latinos Gala which featured music, dancing, dinner, scholarships, awards, and a silent auction. Made up of students, faculty, staff, and community members, the sold-out event raised funds for Latino student scholarships and programs. Learn more about the upcoming 8th Annual Amigos Latinos Gala, taking place on Saturday, October 7, 2023 in the Nutter Center Arena.

The Latino Center remains committed to providing a safe space for all students. It seeks to increase opportunities for Latino/Hispanic students and collaborative efforts amongst Latino/Hispanic faculty, staff, students, and community. It raises awareness of the Latino/Hispanic student experience and the value of the family’s involvement in a student's educational journey. It aids in the increase of Latino/Hispanic student retention, persistence, course completion and graduation rates. Its shares the heartbeat of the Division of Inclusive Excellence in communicating to every Latino/Hispanic student via its efforts that “You Matter” at Wright State University. For questions about the Latino Center and the above-mentioned programs, please email [email protected] or call 937-775-2105.

Latino Center Amigos Latinos 2022 2023 Tribute

One night showcase of music, film and performances from the Asian American Pacific Islander Community sponsored by Asian American Council of Dayton, Japanese American Citizens League of Dayton, Wright State University's Division of Inclusive Excellence, and partnering with 3rd Street Music.

Featuring

Between Two Worlds (Film)

Dr. Donald Ngyuen (Film Speaker)

Pamana Dance Group

Mark Joshua (Singer Songwriter)

Dr. Yufeng Wang (Chinese Ink Demonstration)

Serin Oh (Singer Songwriter)

Click here for more information.

Division of Inclusive Excellence

280 University Hall | 937-775-2087 | www.wright.edu/inclusive-excellence

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