Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 49.21
Liaison Joanne Wong
Submission Date Feb. 5, 2013
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.2

Mills College
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Devin Carr
Director of Engagement and Inclusion
The Center for Equity
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a diversity and equity committee?:
Yes

The charter or mission statement of the committee or a brief description of the committee's purview and activities :

Mission

The Mills College Diversity and Social Justice Committee (DC) promotes diversity and social justice within every aspect of the academic, co-curricular, residential, and administrative life of the College. To that end, the DC works to create proactive, sustainable strategies to generate and institutionalize attention to diversity in relation to race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, religious, and spiritual beliefs, class, age, color, sexual orientation, ability, immigrant status, and national origin. The DC also works to address inequalities arising from any differential distribution of power, resources, and privilege at Mills, and to support initiatives that enable students, faculty, and staff to engage in social change leading to a more just and inclusive society.

Diversity and Social Justice Statement

Mills College embraces diversity and social justice as key components of academic, co-curricular, and residential life. The College encourages every member of our community to embrace this vision and to work to attract, support, and retain students, faculty, and staff who reflect the diversity and social justice values of Mills.

Diversity refers to the variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from race, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, religious and spiritual beliefs, class, age, color, sexual orientation, disability, immigrant status, and national origin. Social justice refers to a commitment to challenging social, cultural, and economic inequalities imposed on individuals arising from any differential distribution of power, resources, and privilege at Mills and in the larger society.

Since its founding, Mills College has remained committed to empowering women to overcome the social barriers that have excluded them from educational and career opportunities. In the 20th century, Mills recognized the importance of extending this access to women from diverse backgrounds, including resumer women, parenting students, and first-generation college students. In addition, Mills graduate and professional programs are designed to provide a coeducational environment that values women's leadership and promotes gender equality. Because the College aims to educate all students to acquire the knowledge and skills to effect thoughtful changes in a global, multicultural society, we seek to create opportunities for engagement in activities that promote equity and justice.

Mills honors freedom of expression and respectful discourse as fundamental educational cornerstones. We recognize that students learn best in an environment that is safe for disagreement, recognizes and addresses diverse learning styles, and values holistic growth and wellness.

Mills recognizes that diversity and social justice are inextricably linked to academic excellence and innovation. Critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, creativity, and collaboration are all enhanced when a diverse faculty and student body interact and learn from one another. By offering a traditional liberal arts curriculum while engaging new pedagogies and diverse perspectives, Mills provides a transformative educational experience that prepares students for excellence and effective leadership in their careers, professions, and in graduate education.


Members of the committee, including job titles and affiliations :

Diversity and Social Justice Committee Members 2012–2013

Christie Chung
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Co-Chair
(Natural Sciences: F10-S13)

Laura Engelken
Director of Spiritual and Religious Life, Co-Chair

Micheline Beam
Alumnae Association Representative

Felby Chen
Career Development Advisor

Wah Cheng
Professor of History
(Social Sciences: F12)

David Donahue
Associate Provost and Professor of Education

James Fei
Assistant Professor of Intermedia Arts
(Sabbatical S13)

Jocelyn Ferguson
Corporate and Foundations Relations Officer

Tomás Galguera
Professor of Education
(Education: F10-S13)

Liliana Gonzalez
Graduate Student Representative

Lesa Hammond
Career Services Director and Interim Vice President of Human Resources

Sabrina Kwist
Director of Engagement and Inclusion, Diversity and Social Justice Resource Center

Jessica Kyo
ASMC Vice President and Undergraduate Student Representative

David Lee
Manager of Technology Training

Cole Moyer
Assistant Registrar

Brian O'Rourke
Vice President for Enrollment Management

Julia Oparah
Professor of Ethnic Studies
(Ethnic Studies: S11-S14)

Sharon Page-Medrich
Alumnae Association Representative

Roger Sparks
Professor of Economics
(Sabbatical F12)

Gabriella Tempestoso
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Support Services


The website URL where information about the diversity and equity committee is available:
Does the institution have a diversity and equity office?:
Yes

A brief description of the diversity office:

The Diversity and Social Justice Resource Center (DSJRC) serves as a campus-wide hub for resources, networking, coaching, consulting, and capacity building on a wide range of social justice issues.

The purpose of the DSJRC is to increase engagement and inclusion across multiple identities; enhance social equity and institutional access; and co-create and support initiatives that promote diversity, social justice, empowerment, and community.

Three primary aims of the DSJRC are:

1) Providing programs and services that support students, staff, and faculty in building authentic relationships across and within differences;
2) Enhancing resources and overall ally development through education;
3) Promoting social justice, equity, and inclusion throughout campus climate, practice, and policy


The number of people employed in the diversity office:
3

The website URL where information about the diversity and equity office is available:
Does the institution have a diversity and equity coordinator?:
Yes

Diversity coordinator’s name:
Sabrina T. Kwist

Diversity coordinator's position title:
Director of Engagement and Inclusion

A brief description of the diversity coordinator's position:

1) Providing programs and supervise staff and students in providing services that support students, staff, and faculty in building authentic relationships across and within differences.
2) Enhancing resources and overall ally development through education, collaboration with campus and community partners.
3) Promoting social justice, equity, and inclusion throughout campus climate, practice, and policy by serving on several campus committees including campus DSJ Committee
4) Work on creating workshops, materials, mentors, and improve institutional climate for under served communities in addition to serving all students.
5) Co-Direct the Summer Academic Workshop program for first generation, limited income students


The website URL where information about the diversity and equity coordinator is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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