Category: diversity

Our own Kecia Thomas, psychology professor and senior advisor to the dean in the Franklin College Office of Inclusion and Diversity Leadership, will take part in an interview on Minnesota Public Radio, giving advice on the importance of networking for young minorities:

Kecia Thomas, author of "Diversity Dynamics in the Workplace," wrote about mentoring as a key to minority success in professional environments. "Mentoring relationships provide critical personal and professional development opportunities throughout one's career," she observed. "These relationships are especially important for racial minorities who often lack access to informal networks and information that is required to be successful in academic and professional environments in which they are under-represented."

You can listen to the interview from link on March 14 at 10 am EST. Congratulations, Dr. Thomas.

The department of anthropology will host a very interesting public lecture on January 18, one that brings guest lecturer Scott Fitzpatrick from the University of Oregon to campus to discuss human activity and biological diversity on the Western Caroline Islands of Micronesia:

The Palauan archipelago--considered to be on of the most ecologically diverse regions of the world-- is located in the northwest tropical Pacific and consists of hundreds of different island types, ranging from ones larger and mostly volcanic, to the much smaller atolls and uplifted limestone "Rock Islands". Just offshore from the largest island of Babeldaob lies the small, nondescript island of Orrak where archaeological research began over a decade ago at the Chelechol ra Orrak rockshelter. Somewhat surprisingly, the site has revealed an astounding array of human activities, from its use as one of the oldest burial sites in the Pacific dating back to ca. 3000 BP, to subsequent use as a campsite and later as a limestone quarry for Yapese islanders to carve their famous stone money.

Beginning Nov. 1, the University will mark the 25th anniversary of the African Studies Institute with a conference, theatre performances, film screenings and lectures to showcase the richness and diversity of the continent:

"The political, economic and cultural importance of Africa continues to grow, which makes this an especially opportune time for faculty, staff and students as well as community members to learn more about the continent and its people," said Akinloye Ojo, director of the UGA African Studies Institute and associate professor of comparative literature and African studies in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

The 25th anniversary celebration will include an international conference Nov. 8-10 in the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries. The conference, titled "Africa and its Diaspora: Expressions of Indigenous and Local Knowledge," will encourage and document the ongoing conversation on the paradoxical dynamics of preserving the unique identity of African indigenous and local knowledge in an increasingly globalized and westernized world. The conference will offer a forum for intensive exchanges between scholars, researchers and technocrats from various disciplines who study Africa, the African Diaspora, the U.S. and other parts of the globe.

The conference also will bring several ambassadors from African nations—including Cote D'Ivoire, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Zimbabwe—together to discuss the African continent and the African diaspora on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. in Masters Hall of the UGA Hotel and Conference Center. Renowned poet and scholar Tanure Ojaide, professor of Africana studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, will deliver the keynote address on Nov. 9 at 9 a.m. in the auditorium of the Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries.

The reality of underrepresentation of various ethnicities in particular fields, whether it is biology or linguistics, is an effective way of framing diversity issues. But outside of its sociological ramifications, making any field more-representative has the added bonus of funneling more people and building more expertise in those fields, and expanding the volume of expertise is an important indirect benefit.

This is not to downplay the importance of diversity itself, which is considerable; it is crucial for kids to see others like themselves enjoying prominence and success in every field and occupation - it's how we create aspirations and ambition. But it appears that the National Science Foundation is on to at least two tracks of potential benefits with the Diversity Climate Network:

Faced with a number of growing challenges in the recruitment and retention of students to the geosciences and climate sciences, a group of professors at the University of Vermont ( UVM), the University of California-Los Angeles ( UCLA) and the University of Georgia (UGA) recognized the need to increase students' exposure to these disciplines. This is important in ensuring these science fields are appreciated as offering truly viable career options. The problem they are dealing with is not limited to one particular geopgraphic area; it spans both metropolitan and rural areas.

A panel of faculty and students will share their disciplinary and personal perspectives on this case. Sponsored by the Franklin College's Office of Inclusion and Diversity Leadership and the Department of Geography.

Friday, April 20, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. 248 Miller Learning Center. 

Panelists include:

Ms. Melissa Brown --Psychology &... German
Dr. Mark Cooney--Sociology
Mr. Nekabari Goka- Economics and International Affairs
Dr. Hilda Kurtz--Geography
Dr. Sandy Martin--Religion
Dr. Kecia Thomas--Psychology & African American Studies/Dean's Office
Mr. Stewart Thompkins Zellars Statistics & Economics 

Former Franklin associate dean Michelle Cook has been named as the new associate provost for institutional diversity at the University of Georgia:

Cook has been leading the university's Office of Institutional Diversity as interim associate provost since Cheryl Dozier stepped down to become interim president of Savannah State University. An internal search was conducted to fill the associate provost position.

"Dr. Cook has done an outstanding job during her service as the interim associate provost, and I am very pleased she has agreed to take on this key administrative post on a permanent basis," said Jere Morehead, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, to whom Cook reports.

I was thinking about the upcoming Martin Luther King Holiday on my walk in this morning, how the Civil Rights Era in the U.S. can sometimes seem distant, abstract and merely iconic. But it is so much more than that. The principles for which people fought, marched and died continue to impact us in very real ways.