Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in the Arts & Sciences
At the initial IDEAS in Action meetings, members identified the four topics and initiatives in which they were most invested. Members self-selected into working groups charged with identifying action plans to address obstacles and opportunities in each domain. Note that the activities of each of the working groups are interconnected; therefore, the entire IDEAS in Action meets approximately once per month to learn from each other and collaborate. The following working groups also meet approximately once per month to work on their action plans.
Committees
Curriculum & Course Design
Today We Are
Supporting the mission of IDEAS in Action by:
- helping faculty become reflective, equity-minded teachers
- supporting faculty in the design and implementation of courses and curricula that help students meet learning goals around diversity, inclusion, and equity-mindedness
- promoting structural changes that engage with diversity, equity, and inclusion through program reviews, curriculum design, and course and program approval processes
Soon We Will
Aim for these goals over the next three years:
- Increase the number of CAS faculty who explicitly address issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity-mindedness in their classes, especially in disciplines where such issues are rarely addressed.
- Increase the knowledge, skills, and confidence of CAS faculty in using inclusive teaching approaches in their classrooms.
- Increase the knowledge, skills, and confidence of CAS faculty in taking an equity-minded approach to course design, including subject matter, sources, and pedagogy.
- Increase feelings of inclusion and representation of diverse perspectives in classes among underrepresented students.
- Advise and support the updating of Gonzaga University’s Baccalaureate Learning Goals to include goals addressing diversity, inclusion and equity-mindedness.
Diversity in STEM Undergraduate Programs
We are a group of committed faculty and staff who understand that in order to thrive, our STEM community must be diverse, inclusive, and represent broad perspectives.
Today We Are
Finding ways to support underrepresented students in STEM by:
- building community and safe spaces
- organizing social events to nurture a sense of belonging
- supporting student groups focused on achieving diversity in STEM
- improving access to authentic research opportunities and mentorship
- developing new tutoring strategies and opportunities for academic success
Soon We Will
Commit to leading change within Gonzaga's STEM faculty and staff to:
- work with SACNAS to develop faculty, staff, and student social activities
- implement tutoring programs that meet the needs of BIPOC students
Faculty/Staff Recruitment & Retention
Our subcommittee is composed of different working groups that focus on three areas. The first area is hiring, job descriptions, and recruitment. Next is search committee composition and preparation. Our third group focuses on onboarding, reappointment/promotion, and retention.
Today We Are
Investing our energy in:
- creating job advertisement templates and developing resources to produce more diverse hiring pools
- researching and implementing best search committee practices to include diverse candidates through the entire process
- integrating DEI commendations into the reappointment, promotion, and tenure process
Soon We Will
Look at ways to leveraging Gonzaga and community resources to support faculty in the intersections of their professional and personal lives by
- Offering a resource that helps departments identify where to post job advertisements to elicit a more diverse pool of candidates.
- Identifying/implementing diversity training resources, student’s roles in committees, and creating multiple touch-points to ensure diverse hires.
- Recognizing and rewarding diverse scholarship in RPT decisions and collaborating with established intra-& intercollegiate communities on needed retention strategies, i.e., partner hires for retention, networking, research opportunities.
- Taking a Search Advocates Training through Spokane Falls Community College. The program will enhance the team's knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in talent acquisition.
