Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity | February 2024

Application Open for the Distinguished Visiting Scholars Program

The Distinguished Visiting Scholars Program brings to WashU individuals from underrepresented backgrounds who have distinguished themselves as leaders and innovators in the academy, business, or in other fields of endeavor. Learn more and apply to the program here. In 2023–24, the Distinguished Visiting Scholars Program is expanding its support to make it easier for top international scholars to visit WashU. Submit a global candidate.

Seeking a Teaching, Research, and Practice Fellow

The Office of the Provost is seeking a Faculty Fellow to collaborate with the vice provost for faculty affairs and diversity on projects designed to support non-tenure track teaching, research, and practice faculty. This assignment will begin July 1, 2024 and is expected to conclude by June 30, 2025, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. Apply here.

Highlighted Events

Distinguished Visiting Scholar Heather McGhee: "The Sum of Us: Moving Beyond the Myth of Equity as a Zero-Sum Game"

Graham Chapel

Thursday, February 1 (6 p.m.)

Heather McGee is dedicated to the development of solutions to inequity in America. Over her career in public policy, Heather has crafted legislation, testified before Congress, and helped shape presidential campaign platforms.

The Office of the Provost has a limited number of copies of McGhee’s book,"The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together." If you'd like to participate in a raffle to win a copy, please complete this form by February 14.

Assembly Series presents 'The Fate of the Earth': A talk by Elizabeth Kolbert

Graham Chapel

Monday, February 12 (4 p.m.)

Elizabeth Kolbert, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for "The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History," Elizabeth will discuss the current biodiversity crisis in the context of the great mass extinctions of the past. Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Center for the Environment and the Woman's Club of Washington University.

AAHHE Conference

Danforth Campus

March 13–15

The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE) will hold its annual conference on the Danforth Campus. Non-AAHHE members are welcome to attend.

Work/Life Balance for Faculty

March 22 (12 p.m.)

It’s no secret that the demands of academic life can be challenging, and learning to prioritize, set boundaries, and integrate self-care is essential. Recognizing the unique pressures faced by faculty, this session aims to provide strategies to harmonize scholarly pursuits with personal well-being. This session is intended for both early and mid-career faculty who are tenure track, teaching, research and practice. In addition, “Learning Circles” will be offer to address the specific needs and challenges of Early-Career, Mid-Career and Teaching, Research, and Practice faculty.

Gender Equity Month Events in March

Annual Gender Equity Month Town Hall: March 6 (11:45 a.m–1 p.m., DUC 276). Register here



Additional Events and Opportunities

• Black History Month Kickoff: The Kickoff is a collaboration between the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, The Graduate Center, Black Graduate Student Association, Association of Black Students, and The Office of Graduate Studies. Graduate students will have four interactive mini-exhibits highlighting Black American history and culture. Attendees will be given a “Green Book” to guide them through hitting every region. In addition, a curated selection of music from Black American artists over the decades will be featured as well as a performance from the Unending Praise choir. Local Black owned catering will also be available. February 1 (7–9 p.m.) in the Danforth University Center (DUC), Tisch Commons.



• Association for Women Faculty (AWF): Join the AWF the first Friday of every month for happy hour (3:30–5 p.m.) at the Bear Public House in the Knight Center (Danforth Campus).

• Archives of Resistance Event Series: Immerse yourself in the history of people who resisted slavery and oppression through stores that are emerging from the archives.
• Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon (February 14)
• Following Courage: William Wells Brown (February 21)

• Information Session for Professional Coaching Training: Kara Penfield and Rob Kramer from Spiro Coaching will share details about the coach training program for WashU faculty. This customized 30-hour program will take place in June, July, and August of 2024. Would you like to learn more about this opportunity?” Join the information session on Wednesday, February 21 (12–1 p.m.) on Zoom.

• Making Transdisciplinarity Work: The A&S Incubator for Transdisciplinary Futures and Here and Next invite you to join a morning mini-conference to discuss team science and how to sustain effective collaborations across fields. February 21 (5 p.m. reception) and February 22 (8 a.m.–12 p.m. conference). register here 

• The Women & Engineering Center Presents WE Day: During this inaugural event, we will gather with students, alums, faculty and friends to hear short, TED-style stories followed by a party. You won’t want to miss being part of this first-time celebration! February 23 (2:30–6 p.m.). more information

• Equity-Minded Leadership Series- Centering Racial Equity: Join HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) for an intensive workshop series designed to equip participants to develop the skills needed to translate institutional values and aspirations into tangible actions that close racial equity gaps in policies, practices, experiences, and outcomes among groups that have been historically excluded, marginalized, and underserved. The series will offer a highly engaging, fast-paced opportunity to learn, share, reflect, and practice skills for equity-minded leadership.  February 29–April 11. more information and program fee

• Save the Date! Woman and Diverse Owned Business Marketplace: Experience Women's History Month with a vibrant marketplace showcasing local diverse-owned St. Louis businesses. Brought to you by the Department of Supplier Diversity and the Office of Institutional Equity. March 5–6. more information

• Consultation Hours Available on Equity Centered Work: Aurora Kamimura, assistant provost for inclusive excellence, offers regular consultation hours on equity-centered work focused on faculty searches and graduate admissions. please sign up for a meeting time

• Faculty Grants: WashU Leads and the Bauer Leadership Center will provide educational grants to support tenure track and teaching track faculty to add (or elevate) a learning objective on relevant topics around self-discovery and insights to an existing course. The focus for this round will be undergraduate courses which involve first year students. Proposals are due March 25, 2024. Grants will be awarded before the end of this academic year.



• Free NCFDD Membership and Programming: Claim your free membership to the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD). Learn more about this free membership, available to all WashU faculty, graduate students, postdocs, and trainees. Plus, the NCFDD programming calendar is live and visible upon joining NCFDD.

Resource Spotlight: Association for Women in Science

WashU is a member of the Association for Women in Science (AWIS), supporting a global network of like-minded women and allies committed to advancing women in science, technology, engineering, and math. As an Institutional Member, WashU is pleased to offer free membership to all students, faculty, staff, postdocs, and trainees.

learn more about your free membership