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Office of Diversity Initiatives 2010 - 2011 Annual Report

Valarie Greene King, Ph.D., Director

The mission of the Office of Diversity Initiatives is to assist the University of Central Florida in reaching its strategic goal to become more inclusive and diverse. Much of our work is done in collaboration with other units to provide diversity education and training, classroom and workshop presentations, and cultural and leadership programming to enhance the cultural competence of our students, our workforce, and the communities we serve. All of our projects and programs support the university's diversity goal, and efforts are made to support and reflect other UCF goals, our metropolitan research mission, and our commitment to a viable city-state. Areas of Focus for 2010 – 2011 • Monitor and promote implementation of the UCF Diversity Plan Five Areas of Focus • Engage in a comprehensive self-study of the ODI with recommendations for the future • Collaborate with units and divisions to address the needs of selected student groups

Areas of Focus for 2010-2011: Selected Highlights

(1) Diversity Plan Five Areas of Focus Organizational Structures

• Diversity statements were collected from 21 of the 27 divisions and units that were included in the initial phase of developing and implementing diversity plans.

• Ten additional units within SDES were identified and contacted to participate in planning and implementing diversity plans. They were: Counseling Center, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Housing and Residence Life, Office of Student Involvement, Recreation and Wellness Center, Student Disability Services, Regional Campuses, Upward Bound, Student Leadership Development, and Multicultural Academic and Support Services.

• A relationship was established with Global Perspectives to co-sponsor selected events that highlighted aspects of diversity and social justice.

• A partnership with the UCF Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning was established to generate greater involvement in diversity education, research, and special projects. Dr. Carolyn Walker Hopp, College of Education, will serve as a fellow during the 2011-2012 academic year to support this initiative.

Recruitment and Retention

• The relationship with the division of Academic Affairs was continued in support of the Provost’s Diversity Enhancement Program.

Campus Climate

• The committee structure and framework were established to conduct a comprehensive study of the UCF climate. This process is slated to occur during 2011-2012.

Outreach and Engagement • The Florida Diversity and Leadership Conference was co-sponsored by ODI and hosted at UCF

on January 14, 2011. Featured speakers included Donna Brazile, Democratic Political Strategist and former Connecticut Governor, John Rowland.

 

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• A cooperative training initiative with Student Development and Enrollment Services was launched to enhance the diversity-related awareness, knowledge, and skills of approximately 600 SDES team members. This venture resulted in more than 150 individuals participating in the Diversity Learning Series.

(2) Collaborate with units and divisions to address the needs of selected student groups

• The Office of Diversity Initiatives cultivated relationships with the Student Government Association, numerous students groups, and continued to focus on the needs of and services for LGBTQ students. Additionally, the Legacy Leadership and Mentoring Program, coordinated by Lynnsey Hicks, included 15 Hispanic and 50 African American sophomores, juniors, and seniors. During the 2010-2011 academic year, seven scholars graduated and two resigned. Of the graduates, five continued their education at institutions such as DePaul University, University of Central Florida, and Florida Atlantic University. Policies, procedures, and activities were revised to enhance student learning experiences and various workshops were held for Legacy scholars and mentors. “UCF Connects with Jones High School” was Legacy’s most viable service learning activity and received coverage in the April 22, 2011 edition of The Orlando Sentinel.

(3) Engage in a comprehensive self-study of the ODI with recommendations for the future

• Deferred to 2011-2012 Other Highlights

• ODI received diversity awards from the Beacon Network, Seminole State College, and Student Development and Enrollment Services. Michael Freeman received an SDES “Keeper of the Creed Award,” for his focus on Community. Dr. Valarie King received a “Most Powerful Award,” from the Florida Diversity Council, for her contributions to the field of diversity and inclusion. She was also the Black History Month Speaker for the Nile Foundation and provided diversity-related strategic planning consultations to the organizer of the diversity process for Lakeland and other Polk County communities.

• Each year, ODI sponsors two DiversiTeas. One is typically an educational forum and the other focuses on the arts and culture. On September 22, 2010, ODI hosted Helen Greenspun who shared her very compelling account as a Holocaust survivor. This was the most successful DiversiTea in the history of the office with over 200 participants. The presentation was also broadcast to six regional campuses. On March 1, 2011, our second DiversiTea was entitled “Celebrate Turkish Culture” and featured Turkish musicians and food. The DiversiTeas were organized and coordinated by Barbara Thompson with support from Yara Asi.

• Last year ODI initiated the contacts and activities that resulted in the UCF Community Veterans History Project. This collaboration with the department of History, Honors College, Library, and several other units, successfully collected histories that were forwarded to the Library of Congress for inclusion in the national VHP archives. This ongoing collaboration is a higher education model that has generated national recognition for UCF.

Areas of Focus for 2011– 2012

1. Implement an enhanced assessment process for ODI education and training activities. 2. Continue implementing the UCF Diversity Plan to include but not limited to:

a. Veteran-Friendly Campus Campaign b. Anti-Bullying Campaign c. UCF Climate Study

3. Engage in a comprehensive ODI Self-Study  

The symbol of the Office of Diversity Initiatives is the “Unity Star.” This multifaceted, mul-tidimensional image was inspired by the solitary star that appears above the Pegasus, the University of Central Florida’s official symbol that represents the university’s motto, “Reach for the Stars.” The Unity Star is an illustration of the transformative power and enhanced creativity that occurs when organizations fully utilize diverse perspectives. The Unity Star can be presented in various sizes, colors, shadings, and arrangements sym-bolizing humankind’s many similarities and differences.

STAFF

Valarie Greene King, Ph.D., Director Michael Freeman, Assistant Director

Barbara Thompson, Assistant Director Katie Pomp, Administrative Assistant

Carmen I. Afonso, Executive Secretary Yara M. Asi, Program Assistant

Lynnsey Hicks, LEGACY Coordinator

Office of Diversity Initiatives P.O. Box 160031

Orlando, FL 32816-0031

Phone: (407)-823-6479 Fax: (407)-823-6480

http://www.diversity.ucf.edu