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December 2020 Volume 1, Issue 9
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WELCOME TO THE OFFICE FOR DIVERSITY NEWSLETTER!
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Happy December, and welcome back to the Office for Diversity Newsletter! As we approach the end of another unusual semester, we would like to take this opportunity to reflect on what we are thankful for. Thank YOU, our readers, for your continued support of our efforts to create a more welcoming and inclusive Texas A&M.
In this month’s edition, we feature outstanding scholarship and programming. Read about the work of Thomas W. Mitchell, J.D., LL.M. a 2020 MacArthur "Genius" Fellow and Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Program in Real Estate and Community Development Law in the School of Law at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Learn about the College of Medicine’s Learning Environment Enrichment Program (LEEP) from Dr. Amy Waer and Dr. Michael Dewsnap, and the implementation of the Peer-to-Peer Awareness Conversations or “Cup of Coffee” conversations. Read about a presentation to our ACES and ADVANCE scholars on being an academic parent during COVID-19. Finally, please explore our December calendar to find professional development opportunities.
We hope you find time for rest during this upcoming winter break. We look forward to seeing everyone again in January 2021 for another great year!
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Texas A&M University has received the 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for the second year in a row. The College of Dentistry and the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences have also won this prestigious award. Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) recognizes outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, and is awarded by the INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest diversity-focused publication in higher education.
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A LETTER TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY
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Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman
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I write to announce that I will be joining Northwestern University as Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and as the inaugural Ida B. Wells and Ferdinand Barnett Professor of Communication in the new year.
My time here as Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity has been absolutely glorious! I am so proud of the real and meaningful impact the Office for Diversity has had on our campus community. While there are far too many achievements to detail here, I am particularly proud of the real and meaningful impact the Office for Diversity has had on...
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PRODUCING OUTSTANDING SCHOLARSHIP
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Professor Thomas W. Mitchell
©️ John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation – used with permission
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Thomas W. Mitchell, J.D., LL.M. is a 2020 MacArthur "Genius" Fellow, Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Program in Real Estate and Community Development Law in the School of Law at Texas A&M University (TAMU). We interviewed Professor Mitchell about his research that addresses developing policy and reforming long-standing laws that deprive African American and other disadvantaged American families of their property and real estate wealth, writing and research best practices, and his impact as a MacArthur Fellow.
What is the inspiration for your research?
There are two things that made me pursue this line of work. First, is the...
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CONNECTING THOSE ADVANCING ACCOUNTABILITY
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Dr. Amy Waer, Interim Dean & Executive Dean for Education and Academic Programs, and Dr. Michael Dewsnap, Director of Learning Environment and Instructional Assistant Professor for Humanities in Medicine from the College of Medicine, presented on the College of Medicine’s initiative Learning Environment Enrichment Program (LEEP), during the November Diversity Operation Committee meeting. The presentation provided information on the ways in which the program serves to create an environment that is culturally aware and inclusive. For example, Dr. Waer and Dr. Dewsnap explained how the implementation of the Peer-to-Peer Awareness Conversations or “Cup of Coffee” conversations have increased the feeling of safety and empowerment for students, faculty, and staff to report concerns and also acknowledge exemplary individuals who embody diversity and inclusion.
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The Diversity Operations Committee (DOC) is a university-wide committee that serves as an advisory body to the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity.
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ADVANCE and ACES Scholar Presentation: The Academic Parent and COVID-19: Managing Burnout and Mindsets
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Dr. Jeffrey Liew, Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology, and his doctoral students, Juliet Nyanamba, Samantha Aguilar, Sarah Ura, and Danni Li, talked to the ADVANCE and ACES Cohort II scholars this past November about balancing personal and professional life during COVID-19. Their presentation, The Academic Parent and Covid-19: Managing Burnout and Mindsets offered information about the researchers’ work and strategies for coping with stress and burnout. The ADVANCE Scholars Program is a faculty mentoring program designed to promote and advance the success of tenure-track faculty who have been historically underrepresented at Texas A&M University and in higher education.
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ADVANCING EXCEPTIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF HIGHER EDUCATION DISSERTATION OF THE YEAR
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Dr. Cinthya Salazar, she/ her/ hers/ ella, ADVANCE Scholar, Assistant Professor of Higher Education Administration, College of Education & Human Development, and Affiliated Professor of Latino/a and Mexican American Studies, College of Liberal Arts, was awarded the 2020 Bobby Wright dissertation of the year award by the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). Dr. Salazar’s dissertation titled Collective Resistance in Higher Education: A Participatory Action Study with and for Undocumented College Students in Virginia extends and challenges previous research about students without documentation. Her efforts center immigration status and race/ethnicity within a specific geographic context that is critically and social-justice focused.
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OFFICE FOR DIVERSITY LEARNING COMMUNITY
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
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Redeem Francis is a first-year student in the Bush School of Government and Public Service. She is pursuing a Master of Public Service and Administration on the Non-Profit Management track. Originally from Crowley, Texas, Redeem was thrilled to start her education at Texas A&M University three years ago, and she is now undertaking the challenges and experiences of graduate school. As an undergraduate student, with the help of the Office for Diversity, Redeem strengthened her passion for equity, accountability, and research. In 2019, she had the privilege to present at the 32nd Annual National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) along with her coworkers from the Office for Diversity.
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In 2019, she was also selected for the 2019-2020 Race, Identity, & Social Equity (RISE) Fellowship. In her capacity as RISE Fellow, she had the opportunity to conduct her own research study titled Angry, Black, and Woman: How Black, Woman, Undergraduate Students Navigate the Narrative of the ‘Angry Black Woman'’ Stereotype. She also had the opportunity to study abroad in Seoul, South Korea at Sogang University, and participate in a month-long Korean language immersion program. In the Office for Diversity, Redeem mainly focuses on event planning and low-level financial affairs. During her free time, she enjoys hiking, painting, and drinking green tea. Redeem plans to be a change agent for our world so that coming generations can have a brighter future.
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Send February events to Crystal Carter by January 4th for consideration in the January newsletter.
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Texas A&M has issued COVID-19 guidance to enhance the safety of those returning to campus. Free testing is available for all students, faculty, and staff who have symptoms or have been in close contact with known or suspected cases. The tests provided through this program are mouth swab tests that do not require assistance. More information can be found at the Student Health Services website.
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Texas A&M University
Office for Diversity
Jack K. Williams Administration Building
1360 TAMU
College Station, Texas 77843-1360
Phone: (979) 458-2905
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