VOICES

September 2022

Welcome Class of 2026!

NEWS

Welcome Thomas Alexander,

Deputy Chief Diversity Officer

Thomas joined the Office of Diversity & Inclusion in February 2022. 

Diversity & Inclusion at William & Mary

Meet the D&I Advisory Committee


The Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee is comprised of individuals who are engaged directly with leading and serving diverse populations across the campus. The group meets once a month and advises the Chief Diversity Officer and Deputy Chief Diversity Officer.


The committee is composed of faculty, staff, and students. They will increase communication and collaboration for ongoing and upcoming initiatives and events that support the goal of inclusive excellence. 

  • Victor Adejayan, Student Assembly
  • Emily Avesian, Human Resources
  • Liz Bellamy, Swem Library
  • Carla Costello, Compliance & Equity
  • T Davis*, Health & Wellness
  • Charlie Foster, Office of Student Veteran Engagement
  • Caroline Hanley, Sociology
  • Samuel Hayes, Facilities Management
  • Yujie Huang, Studio for Teaching and Learning Innovation


* no picture available 

  • Marc Kelly, Staff Assembly
  • LaToya Lawson, Admission
  • Nasha Lewis, Reves Center for International Studies
  • Ivana Marshall, Advancement
  • Jason Simms, Athletics Department
  • Sarah Thomas, The Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation
  • Alefunzo Uzzle, Public Safety
  • Kimberly Weatherly, Center for Student Diversity




IGNITE-Future Faculty Development Program

Participants from the 2021 Virtual IGNITE program

We are excited to host our 4th Annual IGNITE program this year. We will welcome 11 scholars to campus the week of September 19th.


IGNITE provides participants with the opportunity for professional development, and to have candid discussions with department heads, deans, and early career faculty members about life in academia. As a part of the experience, participants will be offered opportunities to tour campus, meet with current faculty to gain a greater awareness of research and teaching opportunities, discuss their career prospects and academic work, attend workshops, and present a job talk.


The job talks are scheduled for Wednesday, September 21 at 9:00 am and 9:45 am. If you would like to attend the scholars’ job talks Register Here


VOICES

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.


The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.


The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.


Information taken from: U.S. Census Bureau


For more information on plans for the University's celebration please visit the events calendar



September 2022

National & Religious Holidays

and Cultural Celebrations


Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

September 15 to October 15



     5         Labor Day

     21-29  Mabon / Autumn Equinox 

     26       Navaratri

     26-27  Rosh Hashanah 

Congratulations to the new 

Latinx Alumni Association Advisory Board!

Yessenia Arias ’13, Laura Godwin ’14, Elizabet (Liz) Hernandez ’15, Vilma Linares ’95, Pilar Meija ’04, Luis Navas ’82, Ramon (Ray) Rodriguez J.D. ’02, and Reyna Vazquez ’95

Celebrando Nossa Comunidade Fiesta y Reunião


Date: Thursday, Sept. 29

Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Alumni House, Hunter Hall

 

William & Mary Latinx alumni, undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff are invited to join the W&M Latinx community at the newly renovated Alumni House for an evening of music, food and fun!


In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, this program is especially for those who identify as Latinx, Latino, Latina and Hispanic.


Music from numerous countries will be provided by Serenata

Let’s gather and reunite our community after the disruptions of the last two years!

 

This program is brought to you by representatives from William & Mary Law School, the W&M Alumni Association, the Raymond A. Mason School of Business, the School of Education and the Departments of Latin American Studies and Hispanic Studies.


Register Here

Inclusive Teaching in Higher Education


Studio for Teaching and Learning Innovation (STLI) is offering a short course “Inclusive Teaching in Higher Education” through STLI Academy. This course is open to the William & Mary community and free to enroll. The course is designed to provide professional development on integrating inclusive teaching practices in college classrooms to promote teaching and learning outcomes. The course includes five asynchronous self-paced modules that participants can complete at their own pace and time. The estimated time to complete the course is about 2-3 hours. Upon completion, participants will be awarded a digital badge.

Submitted by: Yujie Huang, Ph.D., Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation 

Congratulations

Officer Isaiah Johnson!

Officer Johnson has been named as The Community Engagement Officer Coordinator. This position will be responsible for the overall coordination of Community Engagement Officer efforts, which includes programming, events, outreach, presentations, and other related duties. Please visit their website for more information

Submitted by: Officer Alefunzo Uzzle, W&M Police Department  


Become a member of the Kindness Syndicate


The world continues to change, unfortunately not always for the better. Despite of this fact there remain individuals who seek to be kind and are benevolent in nature. Research shows kindness not only helps the actor but the recipient. Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion and improve mood. One of the beautiful things about kindness it can also be contagious.  

 

William & Mary prides itself on being “A premier public research university, widely recognized for our outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus, and vibrant community.” T Davis and the Office of Health Promotion would like to add being a kind campus to W&M’s reputation. We are soliciting members of the W&M community to assist us in encouraging, cultivating, and acknowledging those who choose to be kind.

 

If you would like to help us as we take this journey towards becoming one of the kindest campuses in Virginia, you can assist by helping with marketing/spreading the word (materials will be provided) or just actively participating by reporting. We have information and materials prepared for those who wish to participate in a depth. For those who want to participate extensively I will send more information. In closing, if you wish to become a member of the Kindness Syndicate, please email tdavis@wm.edu. Kindness is contagious.

Submitted by: T. Davis, Health & Wellness

Nominate a Colleague!


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.


Here are two of the 2022-2023 nominees. 

Ronald Russel, Construction Manager



For his work with the team on the HEARTH

                                         

Brian Crystal, Director of Operations

& Maintenance


For his work on the gender neutral bathroom in McGlothlin-Street Hall 

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

Center for Student Diversity

This academic year, the Center for Student Diversity is coordinating the CSD Mentorship Program featuring Asian, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern (APIM) Alumni. This is in collaboration with APIM alumni and is offered for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Participants are matched with an alumni mentor, who can share their own testimonies about internships, career readiness, and thriving at William & Mary! This initiative seeks to assist students with transitioning into college, as well as strengthen the connection between alumni and the William & Mary community.

Welcome Back WING Wednesday was a success! Center for Student Diversity served 600 wings to new and returning students.

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Meditation Room


In an effort to support the health and well-being of the William & Mary community, the campus Meditation Room is open to all students, faculty, and staff.


The Meditation Room is located in the Sadler Center, on the 3rd level. It is open for use whenever the Sadler Center is open. 


You don't have to be a meditation guru to use the Meditation Room -- it provides a peaceful and calm space for quiet reflection or individual prayer as well as meditation. It is open to all regardless of religious affiliation.


The Meditation Room is simple by design, offering minimal seating, a few prayer kneelers, floor cushions, and soft lighting, providing an environment for refuge and rejuvenation.

Annual Block Party

The Center for Student Diversity held their Annual Block Party. Food and fun were enjoyed  after completing the first full week of classes!  

The Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation

A Crime on the Bayou Screening and Conversation:

A Lemon’s Legacies Porch Talk”

September 29, 4:30 - 7:00 pm

The film screening of A Crime on the Bayou begins at 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by a live virtual conversation with Nancy Buirski (director) and Gary Duncan (film protagonist), and Lolis Eric Elie (Author, Filmmaker, Film Subject). View the trailer here.

Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium

September 30, 2022

Join us in Swem Library for the 2022 Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium, which will showcase hundreds of student projects across diverse disciplines! Many of the projects were funded through Charles Center summer research grants thanks to our generous donors.

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


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

UPCOMING EVENTS

Office of Diversity & Inclusion Lunch & Learns

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  


Register Here


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

Save the Date!

7th Annual Diversity & Inclusion Symposium

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


Our Keynote speakers will be Dr. Daryl G. Smith and Junior Peña. The day will also consist of a light breakfast, lunch and enriching workshops. Don't miss registration, which begins October 3rd and closes October 21st. 

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: Bobbi Jo Stevens, Office of Diversity & Inclusion

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

Have a news or event that you would like us to share?

Send your information to 

Bobbi Jo Stevens (bcstevens@wm.edu) by the 15th of each month.