University of Minnesota, Duluth
PA-5: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Commission on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity: The Commission on Equity Race & Ethnicity (CERE) works to create an equitable campus community for people of all racial, ethnic, and intersecting identities through education and institutional change. CERE works to promote inclusivity and equity on UMD's campus through advocacy, conducting small events, and an annual Summit on Equity, Race, and Ethnicity. This is co-chaired by Sherrill Yeaton, a Career Counselor & Multicultural Outreach Coordinator, and Christine Lovejoy, Academic Affairs Space Management. https://cere.d.umn.edu/


Commission for Women: The Commission for Women provides support to women employees with an emphasis on advocacy, development, and connection, to enrich the professional working and learning environments at UMD. The chair is Bekki Babineau, Associate Development Officer. https://cfw.d.umn.edu/


Commission on Disabilities: The mission of the UMD Commission on Disabilities is to advocate for meaningful access and inclusiveness across campus for all people; to promote educational awareness of both visible and invisible disabilities; and to assure legal compliance with all regulations in the area of equity for individuals with disabilities. This is co-chaired by LeeAnn Ilminen, University for Seniors Program Associate, and Jodi Strundeen, Assistant Director of Customer Service and Campus Visits. https://commission-disabilities.d.umn.edu/

Commission QT: Commission QT represents the LGBTQIA2S+ Communities at UMD and is committed to supporting a safe, welcoming, and enriching climate for the UMD LGBTQIA2S+ community that encourages LGBTQIA2S+ students, faculty, and staff to thrive intellectually, socially, and emotionally at the University. We strive to accomplish this through community building, education, advocacy, collaboration, outreach, and support. The chair for the commission is Dr. Ruby Nancy, a faculty member at LSBE. https://commission-qt.d.umn.edu/

The Office of Diversity & Inclusion collaborates with students, staff, faculty, alumnx, and community partners to implement programs and services that support the University’s commitment to inclusivity, equity and social justice. In addition, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion staff develops and implements programs and services that affirm and support the retention and graduation of African American, Asian/Pacific American, Latino/Chicano, International, and queer and trans+/gender non-conforming students.
http://www.d.umn.edu/diversity/

Officers: Susana Pelayo-Woodward is currently the Director of the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and the Assistant to the Chancellor for Inclusive Excellence.

UMD Campus Climate Teams: UMD has specific teams that work to create a campus culture that is welcoming and supportive to all who learn, work, and visit the campus. The goal is a climate that incorporates social justice values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of the institution. The success of this effort depends on the entire campus becoming involved. Areas of concern are leadership at all levels, grassroots or unit efforts, resources, dialogue and collaboration, education and self-awareness, an organizational structure that promotes and supports campus change, and a model for institutional transformation.


Each team consists of a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students who are working specifically on on-campus engagement. Teams include a Leadership team, a Campus Change Team, a Unit Change team, and a Campus Climate Response Team.
http://www.d.umn.edu/chancellor/climate/

The Commission on Equity, Race, & Ethnicity puts on an annual Summit which is open to all students, faculty, staff, and community to attend for a donation or for free. This event occurs in February/March each year and offers a full day of workshops designed to reach all levels of people at many levels of equity & inclusion development. Many staff, faculty, and students attend all or part of the day as part of their professional development and commitment to Strategic Goal 2: Diversity & Inclusion.

UMD also offers intensive workshops through the Intercultural Leadership Development Initiative annually or bi-annually for a small cohort of faculty & staff. Since the ILD Initiative's inception in 2012, 17 cohorts, each with 18 UMD staff, faculty, and administrators have participated in the 4.5-day Intercultural Leadership Development program.

Equity & Diversity Certificate. The Equity and Diversity Certificate is a program developed by the University of Minnesota System’s Office of Equity and Diversity. This ally model series of workshops helps participants develop tools necessary for advancing equity and diversity in all aspects of their personal and professional lives. It’s free of charge and open to all faculty and staff on all campuses of the University of Minnesota. These courses are taken individually, based on each person's schedule and needs, with the certificate being attained once all 10 workshops are completed. https://campus-climate.d.umn.edu/training-development/equity-diversity-certificate-program

Students who participate in the UST 1000 introductory course are required to complete the University DEI module. Most students are required to take this course. The module is available to all in the UMD community and is coordinated by Susana Pelayo-Woodward.