Students MSU College of Education

Diversity

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Diversity and Globalization committee is to promote a university community that respects and prizes a diverse and global society. Faculty, staff, and students of the College of Education must be able to collaborate with and assist individuals and groups who are diverse in age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, and other characteristics. We believe that individuals who respect and support a diverse global society will prosper as leaders in schools, universities, businesses, and human service agencies.

So that all are afforded the opportunity to study in an environment that fosters the development of an appreciation for diversity and a skill base required for achievement in a diverse society, the COE is dedicated to attracting and retaining a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Such diversity in personnel will contribute to the development of an atmosphere in which individuals can share in a process of reciprocal learning. In order for this type of process to occur, all individuals must feel welcome and supported as members of the University community. Actions that enhance the ability for every individual to contribute to, and benefit from, the process of learning should be visible in every classroom, in every department, and at every level of administration within the university.

Valuing diversity is successful only when each individual develops a sense of uniqueness as well as a sense of belonging to a larger whole in which purpose exists. The COE values diversity and encourages all students, faculty, and staff to become an active participant in the process.

Goals:

In support of the process described in the Mission Statement, the Committee recommends the following plan. The committee has identified four goals upon which this plan is focused: 1.) the university climate related to diversity, 2.) recruitment of diverse faculty and students, 3.) infusion of diversity into the curriculum, and 4.) evaluation of issues related to diversity in the COE.


GOAL ONE:  The College of Education will work to develop and maintain an environment that welcomes diversity.

  • Rationale:
    The environment within which an individual works and learns has an enormous impact on all issues related to the academic setting. An environment that welcomes diversity will not only foster greater diversity but will prepare students for life outside the university setting.

  • Objectives and Strategies:
    • The COE Plan for Diversity and Globalization will be distributed to all students, faculty, staff, and administrators in the college each year
      • The COE will prepare copies for distribution to department chairs.
      • Department Heads will distribute copies to department faculty and staff.
      • Department Heads will be responsible for ensuring that the Plan is understood, supported, and followed.
      • The COE will include the Plan in the COE faculty handbook.

GOAL TWO:   The College of Education will recruit and retain diverse faculty members and students.

  • Rationale:
    Diversity enriches the educational experience, promotes personal growth and a healthy society, strengthens communities and the workplace, and enhances America´s economic competitiveness.

  • Objectives and Strategies:
    • The COE will recruit a faculty that represents a diverse and global society.
      • The COE will advertise all position announcements in scholastic publications that typically attract a readership of individuals from diverse populations.
      • The COE will disseminate position announcements to institutions that have a high enrollment of graduate students representing diverse populations.
      • The COE will provide the committee with annual data pertaining to the recruitment and employment of faculty (excluding staff) representing diverse populations.

    • The COE will strive to retain a faculty that represents a diverse and global society.
      • The COE will ensure that each faculty member serves on a minimal number of committees.
      • The COE will establish a faculty member mentoring program directed by department heads.
      • Faculty involvement in the faculty member mentoring program will be counted as service.
      • The COE will maintain a recognition system which will ensure local, state, and national publicity for all faculty members who excel in teaching, research, and service.
      • The COE will allocate funding to faculty for presentation/participation at professional meetings and conferences pertaining to diversity/globalization.

    • The COE will recruit a student population that represents a diverse and global society.
      • Each department with the COE will continue partnerships with public k-12 schools and other appropriate institutions at both the state and national levels that have a diverse student enrollment.

    • The Committee will provide information for the diversity and globalization web site.
      • The COE Plan for Diversity and Globalization will be posted on the web site.
      • The COE will maintain a calendar of diversity and globalization activities as part of the web site.
      • The COE will post demographic data regarding faculty employment and student enrollment on the web site.
      • The COE will provide links to MSU diversity associations on the web site.

    • The Committee will establish a recognition program for students, faculty, and staff who promote/support diversity through teaching, research, and service.
      • The Committee will work with the COE Dean´s office to determine an appropriate reward system for individuals who promote/support diversity.
      • The Committee will provide a venue for recognized individuals to share information related to their successes to the university community.

    • The COE will support diversity workshops, seminars, and events for students, faculty, and staff each semester.
      • These events, sponsored by the university, colleges, departments, and other agencies will enhance awareness and increase knowledge.
      • Department Heads will actively encourage faculty and staff attendance and participation at these events.

    • The COE will retain a student enrollment representing a diverse and global society.
      • The COE will advertise the availability of scholarships that are available to students who represent diverse populations.
      • The COE will develop and maintain a database related to minority student recruitment and enrollment within the college.
      • The COE will develop strategies for mentoring students who represent diverse populations.
      • The COE will provide faculty with training related to teaching, advisement, and mentoring students who represent diverse populations.

GOAL THREE:   The College of Education will encourage diversity to be infused into course curricula (atmosphere/content where applicable).

  • Rationale:
    The rewards of incorporating diversity into the course curricula include promoting a respectful atmosphere, preparing students for the increasingly diverse world, building self-esteem, fostering a sense of community, and demonstrating that the COE faculty serve all students.

  • Objectives and Strategies:
    • The COE faculty will promote a classroom atmosphere respecting diversity.
      • Use models, sources, and examples from diverse backgrounds.
      • Use materials that eliminate stereotypes.
      • Ensure participation by everyone.
      • Model respect for multiple opinions/beliefs.
      • Model appropriate language and behavior.

    • The COE faculty will infuse diversity into the course content where applicable.
      • Require outside readings on diversity.
      • Use diverse literature and examples.
      • Keep syllabus current with regard to global issues.
      • Make use of field experiences in diverse settings.

    • The COE will meet the NCATE diversity standards.
      • Candidates (COE students) develop knowledge of diversity, dispositions that respect and value differences, and skill for working in diverse settings.
      • The COE provides opportunities for candidates to understand the role of diversity and equity in the teaching and learning process.
      • Coursework, field experiences, and clinical practice are designed to help candidates understand the influence of culture on education and acquire the ability to develop meaningful learning experiences for all students.
      • Candidates interact with faculty who represent diverse ethnic, racial, gender, language, exceptionality, and religious groups.
      • Candidates interact and work with candidates with exceptionalities and from diverse ethnic, racial, gender, language, socioeconomic, and religious groups in courses on campus and in schools.

GOAL FOUR:   The College of Education will regularly assess diversity issues with the college.

  • Rationale:
    In order to determine whether or not diversity is successfully being addressed, evaluation of faculty and students will be conducted on a regular basis.

  • Objectives and Strategies:
    • The COE will develop an instrument to assess diversity issues for COE faculty.
      • The COE will distribute copies to Department Heads.
      • Department heads will evaluate faculty on even numbered years.
      • The evaluation instrument will be administered through the utilization of e-mail and the internet when possible.

    • The COE will develop an instrument to assess diversity issues for COE students.
      • The COE will distribute copies to Department Heads.
      • Department heads will evaluate students on odd numbered years.
      • The evaluation instrument will be administered through the utilization of e-mail and the internet when possible.

    • The COE will provide the committee with data pertaining to diversity issues among faculty and students.


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