Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Council


Mission Statement

The mission of the Council on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice is to ensure Goucher College is supporting its mission to become an anti-racist institution by building on the college’s commitment to respect, inclusion, service, social justice, and responsibility. Furthermore, the council will work to promote dialogue and a healthy campus climate. This council will report directly to the president.

Background

The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice Council was created as a result of the President’s Council for Racial Equity (PCRE) report, finalized in 2019 after research began in 2018 through the recommendation of the Baltimore Racial Justice Alliance in 2015.

Given the impact that Goucher’s racial climate has on student and employee retention and satisfaction as well as alumnae/i participation with the college, the PCRE emphasizes a goal of improving this climate continuously through regular assessments and structural and interpersonal improvements.

When the leadership of the PCRE was established in 2018, they were charged by the college’s president to examine three initial questions:

  • What do we need to fix us as an institution to achieve racial equity?
  • What can we do to improve the student experience when it comes to race?
  • What can we do to improve the staff and faculty experience when it comes to race? (PCRE, 2019)

From those questions, three subcommittees were established to conduct research and propose recommendations to the president.

In the fall 2020, the president appointed and convened a new Council of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice.

DEIJ Council

Co-chairs

Dr. Isabel Moreno-López, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies

Juan Hernandez, Associate Dean of Students for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice and Title IX

Members

Shama Akhtar, Director of Institutional Effectiveness

Lindy Bobbitt, Director of Residential Life

Eric Camodeca, Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach

Yuchen Ding, Class of 2022

Lisa Hill, Senior Associate Director of Admissions

Lindsay Johnson, France-Merrick Director of Community Based Learning

Dr. Tamsin Kimoto, Visiting Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Rachel Kline, Class of 2022

Kededria Lewis, Class of 2023

Charles McLean, Associate Director of FMS for Custodial Staff

Lara Nicolson, Human Resources Generalist

Lexi Rudolph, Associate Director for Recruitment and Enrollment Management

Iquail Shaheed, Assistant Professor, Center for Music, Dance, and Theater

Bersabe Shuman-Fletcher, Class of '20-22, Hispanic Organization for Learning & Awareness (HOLA!)

Leah Soyer, Class of '20-22, Co-President, Goucher Hillel

Danae Tsimpikaki, Class of '20-22, Co-President, Goucher International Students Association

Megan Wallace, Advancement Services Manager

Council Responsibilities

  • Develop strategies to strengthen faculty, staff, and student support and retention so as to promote an inclusive environment,
  • Lead the campus in the development of a strategic plan that focuses on diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and justice
  • Create an environment that encourages challenging the status quo around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
  • Advise the president on key issues pertaining to diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and justice
  • Build the case for diversity and inclusion (D&I) and share knowledge on D&I successes and impact
  • Identify D&I barriers that impact employee recruitment, retention, advancement, training, and key assignments
  • Champion D&I and promote the college as an employer of choice for faculty and staff of color
  • Offer significant support to the student-led organizations for the heritage months and any additional cultural programming (e.g., Hispanic Heritage Month, LGBTQIA+ Month, Native American Heritage Month, MLK Jr. Day, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month)

Resources

Bias Education & Response Team

Title IX

DEIJ Council Digital Suggestion Box

Use this form to submit suggestions and feedback regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice at Goucher College. We are always interested in hearing comments and suggestions to better meet Goucher College´s DEIJ mission. All submissions will be reviewed by the DEIJ Council during our monthly meeting. The chairs of the DEIJ Council should receive submissions (Isabel Moreno-Lopez and Juan Hernandez). If you would like to be contacted, please let us know and we will get back to you. If you prefer to remain anonymous, simply leave your contact information blank.

Note: This form is not to be used to submit complaints or grievances. For any bias incident reporting, please visit our Campus Climate Education Team (CCET) website. You may also wish to visit our Student Complaint & Grievance Procedures.