Committed to diverse, inclusive culture

As the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing is a diverse community composed of individuals with many perspectives and identities, members within the school community engage in work to develop specific goals and metrics related to diversity and inclusion.

From an initial task force in 2015 to the current Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, faculty and staff grapple with the challenges and opportunities to prioritize this work.

“Our faculty, staff and students come from a multitude of backgrounds and experiences, with distinct needs and goals,” says Terri Harvath, executive associate dean and co-chair of the committee. “We also recognize that to create a culture of inclusion is not the job of one person, but the shared responsibility of each member of our community.”

Currently, more than 28 percent of faculty, 11 percent of staff and 25 percent of students are from under- represented minorities. In the Master’s Entry Program in Nursing, 42 percent of students in the Class of 2018 are from racial and ethnic populations that are disproportionately represented in higher education. While the statistics showcase the traditional factors used to identify diversity, school leaders agree the most important step is to create an environment that is inclusive of multiple factors, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, income, education, geography and professional discipline.

“We devote time and resources to this work to ensure every member of our team can feel engaged at work, maximize their potential and enable us to be creative and innovative as a team,” adds Emily Sanson-Smith, assistant dean for administration and committee co-chair.