Northern Illinois University
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

We have multiple offices on campus that deal with DEI issues on campus.
1) The Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is focused on helping NIU's diverse student population succeed in their educational goals, find supportive communities and graduate with the skills and experience needed to coexist with people from all backgrounds. This office is overseen by the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer (CDO), who is part of the President's Cabinet.
The ADEI Division, led by Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Carol A. Sumner, holds a senior leadership role and reports directly to the president. The president is deeply invested in advancing the division's goals and initiatives, as evidenced by integrating DEI into the university's goals. The VP/CDO and her team collaborate across divisions to uphold the university's mission of fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for our students, faculty, and staff by implementing equitable policies and practices that support their development and growth.

https://www.niu.edu/diversity/index.shtml


2) We have multiple Presidential Commissions, who serve as advisory bodies to that report directly to the NIU President on diversity and equity issues. These commissions include the following:
 The Presidential Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) advises the president on issues and concerns related to the status of women at NIU.
 The Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (PCSOGI) is the primary channel by which advice is given to the president of NIU on issues and concerns affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals at the university. The commission makes recommendations on actions needed in areas including academic programs, student services, workplace matters, university policies and the general campus environment.
 The Presidential Commission on Persons with Disabilities (PCPD) advises the president regarding issues and concerns related to people who have disabilities with an emphasis on promoting issues of physical, virtual and attitudinal accessibility. The commission collaborates with others on campus to improve the campus climate, advocate for accessibility and increase the university community's awareness of issues concerning individuals with disabilities.
 The Presidential Commission on Race and Ethnicity (PCORE) advises the president on the status of minority students, faculty and staff and makes recommendations to improve the quality of life and opportunities for minorities at NIU.
 https://www.niu.edu/president/commissions/index.shtml

Northern Illinois University (NIU) established six Presidential Commissions, each serving as an advisory body to the President. These Commissions are responsible for conducting research and providing recommendations on critical issues related to gender and identity, sexuality, race, ability/disability, faith/belief, and wellness.
The overarching goal of these Commissions is to identify problems and barriers that individuals face and develop actionable strategies to address and dismantle them. To achieve this, the Commission assists with implementing institutional policies and initiatives and creates detailed reports that capture their progress, outcomes, and impact.
The work of these Commissions is critical to the University's efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of its community.

CODE (Conversations on Race and Ethnicity) workshops are designed to engage students, faculty, and staff in learning about the cultural and identity differences that shape our world and to create spaces for them to explore complex aspects of the diversity and equity framework with the outcome of working towards an inclusive campus community where everyone respects the value and dignity of all of its members.
CODE Institute uses the train-the-trainer model to educate facilitators to lead CODE campus workshops.
FACCE (Faculty Academy for Cultural Competence and Equity) serves as a valuable resource for faculty members seeking to cultivate culturally relevant foundations and practices to help move NIU toward a more responsive, active, and equity-minded direction toward our diverse student population.
Reducing Implicit Bias in Search Committees training is designed to help individuals recognize and overcome unconscious biases that can impact hiring decisions, ensuring that qualified candidates are evaluated on their merits rather than stereotypes related to race, gender, or other unrelated matters.
Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) Effective Teaching Practices Program and Inclusive Teaching for Equitable Learning Micro-credential provides faculty with proven strategies to create a more equitable and just learning environment.
The Inclusion in Action monthly series aims to support positive and effective working relationships among employees across the university at NIU. CODE (Conversations on Race and Ethnicity) workshops are designed to engage students, faculty, and staff in learning about the cultural and identity differences that shape our world and to create spaces for them to explore complex aspects of the diversity and equity framework with the outcome of working towards an inclusive campus community where everyone respects the value and dignity of all of its members.