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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our Commitment

The College of Arts & Science (CAS) is committed to providing a high-quality learning and workplace environment that is intentionally diverse and equitable, built on the Inclusive Excellence Framework, and affirms, engages, and values differences.

Miami's Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Our Definition of Diversity

In the College of Arts and Science, we view diversity holistically, understanding that the definition is constantly evolving. Our definition of diversity includes but is not limited to race, ethnicity, color, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, class, religion, disability, age, military status, visa status, economic status, geographic location, and language/linguistic ability. Diverse and well-reasoned ideas, approaches, and experiences are also essential parts of inclusion and equity.

Our Guiding Principles and Values

Miami University is committed to and fully embraces the philosophy and belief that a diverse academic community is among an institution's greatest strengths. As decades of research and experience have shown, every unit and individual on campus benefits from diversity when there is an environment where people from a wide variety of backgrounds learn from one another, share ideas, and work collaboratively to ask and solve questions.

This is especially important given Miami's commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching and learning. A diverse and inclusive campus enhances the living, learning, and working environment for every student, staff, and faculty member. Together, these benefits help Miami achieve its special mission as a public institution in Ohio, educating students across the state and preparing them to be leaders in a variety of fields who are ready for the demands of the 21st-century workforce. We, therefore, aspire to attract and retain a broadly diverse group of faculty, staff, and students.

Our Role with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

CAS faculty are nationally and world-renowned researchers with top scholarly achievements in the fields of diversity, critical race, and social justice. CAS commits to being a leader in engaging faculty, staff, students, and the broader university community on the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.

We are committed to:

Cultivate

Cultivating an inclusive learning environment where intersections of social identities feel welcomed, valued, and a sense of belonging

Engage

Engaging in continuous learning and fostering inclusive leadership through utilization of a diverse curriculum and peer-reviewed, academically validated assessments that strengthen our ability to lead with cultural intelligence in a multicultural, global world

Build

Building community and deepening understanding through engaging in the dialogue and discussion to influence understanding of each other's experiences and cultivate individual and collective agency to effect social change

Enhance

Enhancing student success through the promotion of excellence, accountability, and new innovative retention initiatives

Serve

Serving as a focal point at Miami for cutting-edge research, critical pedagogy, and curricular offerings in the fields of diversity, critical race, and social justice

Support

Supporting equity, inclusivity, and pipeline programs to maximize access to learning for historically underrepresented and marginalized populations

Stand

Standing in solidarity with our Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and serving as advocates and allies in the fight for racial and social justice

Strengthen

Strengthening and enhancing internal and external collaborations and partnerships with scholars and leaders in the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice

Diversity Efforts By Program

LEADS Institute

The LEADS Institute is an Academic Excellence and Leadership Accelerator in the College of Arts and Science (CAS) lauched to better address high-achieving diverse students' academic, professional, cultural, and social interests, Major initiatives include HASS Scholars, STEMM Scholars, and a pre-professional Arts & Science Multicultural Association (ASMA).

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) is an honors STEM program funded by the National Science Foundation that aims to significantly increase high-achieving historically underrepresented student recruitment, retention, and attainment in STEM degrees and careers, and graduate school.

First-Generation

Miami's First-Generation initiative seeks to build a community of first-generation college students and their allies while celebrating their resilience, tenacity, and achievements.

CIQS Day

CIQS (Careers Involving Quantitative Skills) Day invites young high school women to Miami University to explore prospective fields and majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Faculty and students lead engaging workshops and panels throughout the day.

Student Citizens

Student Citizens is a new summer scholarship program and two-week residential experience focused on the humanities and designed for rising seniors who attend high schools in southwest Ohio (a 50-mile radius of Miami's Oxford campus).

Our Leadership

Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Carolyn S. Craig, MBA, CDP, ACCQP was named the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in 2020 and also serves as the Academic Diversity Officer (ADO) for the CAS. She provides leadership in developing and implementing strategic diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging plans and initiatives to engage faculty, staff, and students in the college community. As ADO, Carolyn partners with the dean, university administrators, and others to lead diversity and inclusion initiatives designed to remove barriers and increase participation by historically underrepresented and ethnically diverse communities in higher education, including serving as Program Director for the CAS LEADS Institute Programs [e.g., Humanities & Social Science Scholars Program (HASS), Dean's STEMM Scholars Program, and Arts and Science Multicultural Association (ASMA)]. Carolyn also serves as Program Director and Lead Principal Investigator (PI) for the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) STEM Program at Miami University. She conducts training and professional development workshops, collaboratively develops and implements strategies for recruitment and retention initiatives to further the College's Diversity Strategy Plan, and serves on various diversity and education councils.

Program Coordinator of Student Diversity Initiatives and Success

Paidamwoyo (Paida), P. Hakutangwi, M.Sc., MA is the Program Coordinator of Student Diversity Initiatives and Success for the College of Arts and Science. She serves as the Program Coordinator for Miami’s Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) working with the CAS ADO on this nationally recognized STEM program. Paida is responsible for mentoring historically underrepresented minority students, connecting them with resources in the campus community, and supporting the academic student success recruitment and retention initiatives for diverse students in LSAMP and the programs developed by the ADO. Born in Zimbabwe, Paida’s background includes international work experience that has provided her with the opportunity to work and live in culturally diverse environments. She is passionate about DEI matters and working with people. Paida’s prior teaching assistant experience afforded her the opportunity to work with students from diverse backgrounds and she is excited to continue this work in her new role as Program Coordinator.

DEI Special Projects Assistant (Graduate Assistant)

Riley Curtis is a graduate student in the College of Education, Health, and Society, journeying toward a Masters of Art in Teaching in Life Science and Chemistry Education. Riley obtained a Bachelor in Science in Exercise Science from Urbana Univerity in Ohio.  As the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Special Projects Assistant in the College of Arts and Sciences, Riley plans to use her/their passion for connecting with students to engage, empower, and uplift them as human beings and scholars. Riley has recently completed a Student Teaching experience at Middletown High School getting the opportunity to learn alongside a diverse student population. Riley believes that social justice is at the heart of education and democracy and is thrilled to be a part of a team promoting these ideas in such a way that makes room for more young voices and curates more equitable spaces at Miami University.

 

We want to hear from you. Please submit feedback, suggestions, or ideas related to CAS diversity and inclusion efforts and initiatives via casdiversity@MiamiOH.edu.

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The College of Arts and Science

Representing nearly half of all students, the College of Arts and Science (CAS) is Miami University's largest division and the centerpiece of liberal arts — the wide range of subjects in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities crucial for the development of key professional skills desired by employers.

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