NEWS

Thank You Jamelah Jacobs!



We extend a special thank you and congratulations to Jamelah Jacobs '21 who completed her fellowship with the Center for Student Diversity and Office of Diversity & Inclusion this month! Your research and work is going to be immediately impactful! Best wishes to you in Graduate School!

Diversity & Inclusion at William & Mary

W&M honored with the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for 5th year

For the fifth year in a row, INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine has chosen William & Mary to receive the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award.

The HEED Award is a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. William & Mary will be featured alongside the other 102 recipients in the November 2022 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

IGNITE-Future Faculty Development Program

The 4th Annual IGNITE Program brought 10 scholars to campus September 19 – 21. The scholars represent higher education, marine science, history, STEM, and law! The participants had professional development workshops on life values, grant writing, negotiating faculty offers, preparing for the job search and advancing your scholarship profile in the library, all led by William & Mary leaders. The Keynote was given by Dr. John H. Stewart, IV. They also had a panel that was entitled: "What I Wish I Knew in My First Year in the Academy" and a job talk on their research.

The time was kicked off with a welcome dinner and networking with Dean Aday, Dean Knoeppel and Dean Spencer. Additionally member of the Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council assisted with the opening program. 

"Based on feedback provided by the IGNITE scholars, their overall consensus was that the program was very beneficial. They were appreciative of the hospitality of everyone as well as connecting with Deans and faculty," said Thomas Alexander, Deputy Chief Diversity Officer.

Thanks to all William & Mary community members who assisted with this year’s program.

Diversity & Inclusion: Annual Welcome Back Reception

The annual Welcome Back Reception was held on September 14, and was a great success.

Every year, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion hosts the Welcome Back Reception, with the purpose of welcoming and connecting new and old faces on campus, networking, and enjoying food and colleagues. Provost Agouris was in attendance and gave opening remarks.

Thank you to all who were able to come out and enjoy food, drink and good company!

IDEA GRANTS

It’s time to apply! IDEA – stands for Innovative Diversity Efforts Award The Office of Diversity & Inclusion funds grants for projects that further diversity on our campus! Faculty, staff, students, and organizations are eligible to apply. Please do not miss this opportunity to help support diversity and inclusion across campus! Applications are due by Friday, October 14, 2022 at 5:00pm.  

Accepting Nominations for Diversity Champions!

Do you know someone who has led creative and innovation programming in diversity and inclusion on campus? The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is accepting nominations for diversity related efforts and programs. Please complete the nomination form here.

VOICES

Africana Studies Zoom Speaker Series at W&M

October through May

Dr. Orisanmi Burton, Freedom Scholar, American University

“Meditation on Abolitionist Ethics.”

October 7, 2022. 12noon-1pm. Register here

William & Mary Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) 

will participate in the NCAA 5th Annual Diversity and Inclusion Social Media Campaign

Day 1: Tuesday, October 18 – “Exploring My Identities”

Day 2: Wednesday, October 19 – “Allyship is…”

Day 3 : Thursday, October 20 – “Strength in Unity”

#NCAAInclusion

For more information please visit the SAAC webpage. 

Information from NCCJ of the Piedmont Triad

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM)

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM recognizes the important roles and contributions individuals with disabilities make in the American workforce. If you would like more information about NDEAM, please visit this website

If you are an employee who needs a disability-related accommodation, please contact the Office of Human Resources.

Submitted by: Carla Costello, Compliance and Equity

LGBTQ+ History Month

LGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long celebration of the history of the diverse and beautiful lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community and the importance of civil rights movements in progressing gay rights. The observance was created by Rodney Wilson, a history teacher at a Missouri high school, in 1994. The following year, LGBTQ+ History Month was added to the list of commemorative months in a resolution forwarded by the General Assembly of the National Education Association. October was chosen as the month of observance as National Coming Out Day already existed as a holiday on October 11. Also, the anniversary of the first march for gay rights in Washington took place on October 14, 1979.

Information from National Today

Gender & Single Occupancy Restrooms

As part of the university's efforts to provide an inclusive and respectful campus environment that is responsive to the needs of our community, at least one restroom in 90% of administration and academic buildings has been identified as All Gender.

A complete list can be found here

International Community Day at W&M Field Hockey Match

Friday, October 7th

Join the Reves Center as we join our international community of students, scholars, families faculty and staff to celebrate our amazing W&M Field Hockey Team!

Friday, October 7th at 6:00 pm

Visit William & Mary's Highland

Highland is a historic site located outside of Charlottesville, Virginia that W&M owns and operates. Highland is a leader in public education and community engagement, with on-campus curriculum and events in addition to its public-facing work. Come learn more about the site's initiatives and outreach!

Transportation from campus and lunch will be provided.

Thanks to our friends at the Office of Student Transition Engagement Programs (STEP) for organizing the trip!

Register here

Autumn Blast

October 29th, 2022 from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm

Join us for Autumn Blast, our premier programming event designed to connect students from diverse backgrounds with William & Mary by showcasing the inclusive community and academic opportunity our campus offers. Autumn Blast offers the exclusive opportunity to engage with W&M students and faculty that hold diverse identities and learn more about W&M before you apply. Let us give you a glimpse of how all the attributes that make you uniquely you will be celebrated on our campus. You Belong! We are excited for you to join us in-person for Autumn Blast on October 29th, 2022 from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Register Here

Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Training

Would you like to review the DIB training taken last year? If you have completed the training here is how to review the information: 

In Cornerstone go to transcript and select, Completed, from the Filter by Training Status drop down option. I then clicked on the drop down next to View Completion and selected Launch. This let’s you review the different modules while maintaining your progress.  

Center for Student Diversity

Mental Health Mondays

Every Monday. 12:00 noon in the Center for Student Diversity conference room located in the Sadler Center 268-P

• Coming Out: Navigating your authentic self (Oct 3rd)
• Fear of failure as a High Achiever (Oct 10th)
• I’m Neurodiverse. Let’s talk about it! (Oct 17th)
• RA Woe’s (Oct 24th)
• I belong to too many organizations!!!!! (Oct 31st)
• Navigating civilian life (Nov 7th)
• Finals are here, and I’m stressed. (Nov 28th)

Latinx History Month Trip to Washington D.C.

Join the Center for Student Diversity in celebrating and appreciating Latinx/e culture in Washington D.C. For just $5, the trip features: A tour of the Mexican Cultural Institute, exploring the National Museum of American History & its featured exhibit, the Molina Family Latino Gallery's "Latino History is U.S. History", a walking monument tour and ends with dinner with Latinx/e alumni in the D.C. area. 

This is an all-day event, and we will be departing campus at 6:15 a.m. on October 13th and returning late evening. Please direct questions to segeorge01@wm.edu

Register here

StompFest

Saturday, October 8th

Center for Student Diversity will host their annual StompFest on Saturday, October 8th at 7:00 pm at the Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre at Lake Matoaka (Commonwealth as rain location).

The Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation

America Is Changing: Are You Ready? Workshop by Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr.

October 11,  6:00 - 8:00 pm

The session will challenge the audience to examine and explore issues related to bias, privilege, equity, and belief systems. Additionally, we will learn how to take action against individual and systemic racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression. We need #MooreStudents #MooreLeaders committed to justice, equity and change across America. Are you ready? This conversation/training is designed to explore the various challenges, complexities and emotions local, regional and national. My goal is to challenge us all with one important question: Are we changing or progressing? Now Is The Time for us to be #MooreFocused on inspiring #MooreGoodTrouble. Sponsored by William & Mary Office of Diversity and Inclusion and The Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation.

More information and to register for the event click here

Lemon Project Hearth Gathering during

Homecoming Weekend

October 7, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

The Lemon Project invites you to join us for a Hearth Gathering during Homecoming Weekend. Lemon Project team members will be at Hearth to talk about the Memorial and discuss the Lemon Project's work towards reconciliation and healing. All are welcome!

Submitted by: Sarah Thomas, The Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation

13th Annual Lemon Project Symposium: Call for Proposals is Up! Submissions are due by November 18

The 2023 Spring Symposium will explore the following questions: What ways are African American communities taking charge and telling their stories? How are colleges and universities working with local African American communities to foster belonging? What methods are communities and scholars using to tell fuller narratives of African American life, history, and culture? In what ways are researchers contributing to the emancipatory aims of Black Studies through research collaboration with Black communities?

Our symposium is multi-disciplinary and open to all. We seek proposals from people who focus on Black life, history, and culture, including but not limited to academic and descendant researchers, educators, activists, and members of Greater Williamsburg communities and beyond. We invite a broad range of topics from the fields of American Studies, Black Studies, Anthropology, History, Public Humanities, Preservation, and STEM. We also invite community organizers and activists to submit proposals in areas such as cultural production (art, poetry, music), wellness, and spirituality. We welcome submissions from people of all genders, including trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals.

For more information about the Symposium and submitting your proposals click here. 

Donning of the Kente 2023

The Lemon Project has opened registration for the Donning of the Kente 2023. All graduates (undergraduates, graduate, and professional) are welcome to participate in the ceremony and receive a free Kente stole. Register now for Donning of the Kente 2023

Implementing Equity in Policies and Procedures

Developing an equity lens to inform decision making is a critical tool to be able to foster an environment that honors each employee's unique gifts, talents & backgrounds while also advancing the mission of the organization. This workshop will give participants the opportunity to explore the concept of an equity lens and apply that learning to critically analyze how policies and procedures impact underserved, historically marginalized groups in the workplace.  

Thursday, October 27, 12:00 - 1:30 pm 

Register Here

Join the Office of Diversity & Inclusion for the 7th Annual Diversity & Inclusion Symposium, Creating an Inclusive Community; Actions Speak Louder than Words, on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at the School of Education Professional Development Center. 

Keynote speakers will be Dr. Daryl G. Smith and Junior Peña. The day will also consist of a light breakfast, lunch and enriching workshops. Registration is now open and closes October 21st. 

Register Here

Daryl G. Smith 

Senior Research Fellow and Professor Emerita of Education and Psychology at Claremont Graduate University. 

Junior Peña

Director for Student Diversity, Equity and Belonging Programs at Fitchburg State University

Submitted by: Sarah E. Thomas, Women’s Network Co-Chair

Faculty Implicit Bias Workshops

As a reminder, all members of faculty search committees are required to complete the implicit bias workshop before reviewing applicants. 

Search committee chairs, please have members sign up for a workshop. 

For more information or to register please visit the Office of Diversity & Inclusion's webpage

Submitted by: Bobbi Jo Stevens, Office of Diversity & Inclusion

Do you have news or an event that you would like us to share?

Send your information to Bobbi Jo Stevens (bcstevens@wm.edu) 

by the 15th of each month.