Virginia Tech
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

To study, formulate, and recommend to University Council policies and procedures as they relate to the university’s responsibilities for equal opportunity, affirmative action, accessibility, and compliance; diversity planning and evaluation; diversity training and education; assessment of institutional climate; and similar matters of equity and diversity that affect the university. In collaboration with other university commissions and/or units, the commission will address issues of diversity and equity as they relate to recruitment, retention, and advancement of faculty, staff, and students, particularly those from historically underrepresented groups and from international populations; student life; academic policies and support; curriculum; research, scholarship, and creative activity; and outreach. The Commission also coordinates an annual university summit on diversity issues on campus.

Ross Edmonds: Chair – elected from non-ex officio membership, 2011 William Lewis: Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, ex officio Karen Jones: Executive Director of Equity and Access, ex officio Hal Irvin: Associate Vice President for Human Resources, ex officio Ellen Plummer: designee of the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, ex officio Jim Snyder: designee for Vice President for Student Affairs, ex officio Kim Beisecker: Director, Cranwell International Center, ex officio Bruce Hayden: designee of the Dean of Students, ex officio One academic dean selected by the Council of College Deans (two-year term) Alan Grant: Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2012 Three faculty representatives elected by the Faculty Senate, at least one must be a senator (three-year terms) Yannis Stivachtis: International Studies, 2013 Virgilio Centeno: Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2011 Bradley Klein: Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, 2012 Three staff representatives elected by the Staff Senate, at least one must be a senator (three-year terms) Cris Thompson: Engineering Education, 2013 Jean Brickey: University Libraries, 2011 Christine Snider: Budget and Financial Planning, 2012 One administrative and professional faculty representative elected by the Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty Affairs (three-year term) Meghan Kuhn: Women's Center, 2012 One staff representative from the Commission on Staff Policies and Affairs (one-year term) Connie Wilkinson: Services for Students with Disabilities, 2011 One student representative from the Commission on Student Affairs (one-year term) Nathan Lavinka: Business, 2011 One faculty representative from the Commission on Faculty Affairs (one-year term) Sam Riley: Communication Department, 2011 Eight faculty or staff community representatives (three-year term) Community representatives shall be chosen by one of two methods. Where there is a widely representative single organization for faculty and staff, this organization would have responsibility for electing a representative. Where there is no appropriate organization (or multiple organizations), then a related office/program/ or center serving related interests will be responsible for the nomination and election (or selection) of a community representative. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion will be responsible for overseeing the identification of community representatives, including assuring that named organizations, programs, or offices use an open process for securing nominations and interested participants if an election is not feasible or reasonable. Representatives elected by a university organization with open membership for faculty and staff (one each): 1. Black Caucus 2. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Caucus at Virginia Tech 3. Hispanic Faculty/Staff Caucus Representatives elected (or selected) by the following university offices or programs (one each): 1. Women's Center 2. American Indian Studies Program 3. ADA Coordinator's Office 4. Cranwell International Center 5. Appalachian Studies Program Mark Cartwright: Black Caucus, 2012 Ross Edmonds: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Faculty Staff Caucus, 2012 Diego Troya: Hispanic Faculty/Staff Caucus, 2013 Anna LoMascolo Women's Center 2011 Lee Lovelace: American Indian Studies Program, 2013 Craig Brians: University ADA Services, 2011 Aditya Johri: Cranwell International Center, 2011 Emily Satterwhite: Appalachian Studies Program, 2013 Three faculty, staff, or student at-larger members (three-year terms for faculty/staff; one year-term if student is selected) The at-large members will be chosen by an application process, open to faculty, staff and students, and conducted by the commission annually for the available, undesignated slot. The commission will forward at least two nominations (so long as there are at least two) for each vacant position to the president for appointment to the commission. The commission may rank the candidates in order of preference. The at-large positions are designated to allow representation from groups not identified above as well as individuals who would make significant contributions to the work of the commission, regardless of background. Jon Jaudon: Athletics, 2011 Guy Sims: UUSA, 2012 Jody Thompson: MAOP, 2013 Two representatives of the Student Government Association (The Chair of the SGA Diversity Committee and one representative elected by the Student Government Association) (one-year terms) Terrence Austin: Political Science, 2011 Frank Hernandez: Mechanical Engineering, 2011 One representative of the Graduate Student Assembly elected by the Graduate Student Assembly (one-year term) Chaney Mosley: Agricultural and Extension Education, 2011 One student representative elected by the Council of International Student Organizations (one-year term) Lubna Chowdhury: Industrial and Systems Engineering, 2011

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion works to establish a collaborative approach to achieving inclusive excellence at Virginia Tech. We will provide leadership for building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive community where all individuals are appreciated and respected. Strategic Priorities: Build institutional capacity by providing educational opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage in actively creating a diverse and inclusive community. Foster mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders and constituencies by providing sustainable strategic initiatives that contribute to the university goal of inventing the future. Collaborate with academic and administrative units on communication concerning diversity and inclusion efforts that align with the university strategic plan.

The Vice President is responsible for: • Providing leadership and direction for the continuous assessment and improvement of university-wide efforts to create and sustain a more diverse and inclusive community of learners • Working collaboratively with other university units to build a capacity to recognize and value difference • Encouraging and supporting positive interactions between and among diverse populations • Maximizing the benefits of a multicultural perspective • Advising the President and university leadership on the policies, programs, practices and resources needed to achieve excellence, equity and effectiveness in the research, teaching and learning, and outreach activities of the university • Collaborating with individuals and organizational units across the campus to assist and advocate for those persons who have special needs and/or significant cultural differences, and who may have concerns about their experiences at VT