University of Northern Iowa
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Mission:
At the University of Northern Iowa, our mission is to create and maintain an inclusive educational environment which prepares students to thrive in a diverse, global environment.

Definition:
Diversity describes the rich differences that people bring to the University of Northern Iowa community. It can refer broadly to culture, identity and ideology, or more specifically to age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, gender identity, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, marital status, national origin, or veteran status. Diversity is a dynamic concept, shaped by history, and changing as our understanding of the world and its people evolves.

Vision:
Our vision is to create a more welcoming community that celebrates the unique contributions of each person. To this end, we strive to remove obstacles that impede equal opportunity, to embrace vigorous and open dialogue in the search for understanding across differences, to promote cultural plurality and social justice, and to treat each person with respect and dignity.

Current Membership:
NAME:
APPOINTED:
TERM:
TITLE:

Terry Hogan
9/08
3 year
Chair, Vice President for Student Affairs

Gloria Gibson
9/08
3 year
Executive Vice President and Provost

Tom Schellhardt
9/08
3 year
Vice President for Administration and Finance

Bill Calhoun
9/08
3 year
Vice President for Advancement

Doug Mupasiri
9/08
3 year
Chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee

Pernell Cezar
4/09
3 year
Student Appointed by NISG President

Leah Gutknecht
9/08
3 year
Faculty or Staff appointed by President

Inez Murtha
9/08
3 year
Faculty or Staff appointed by President

Diversity Advisory Committee
The Diversity Advisory Committee reports to the Diversity Council.

Name
Members/UNI Represented
Term
Appointed By

Doug Mupasiri
Chair (a faculty or staff member)
3 year
Diversity Council

Kathy Peters
Academic Learning Center
3 year
Exec. VP & Provost

Nickole Dillard
Equal Opportunity Programs
3 year
Exec. VP & Provost

Marty Wartick
College of Business
3 year
Dean

Melinda Boyd
College of Humanities & Fine Arts
3 year
Dean

Xavier Escandell College of Social & Behavioral Sci.
3 year
Dean

Joel Haack
College of Natural Sciences
3 year
Dean

Radhi Al-Mabuk
College of Education
3 year
Dean

Susie Schwieger
Graduate College
3 year
Dean

Kerri Clopton
Council for Teacher Education
3 year
Chair of CTE

Gwenne Culpepper Compliance & Equity Management
3 year
President

Jonathan Cox
Faculty/staff at-large
3 year
President

Janet McClain
Faculty/staff at-large
3 year
President

Celeste Bembry
Faculty/staff at-large
3 year
President

Jim O'Connor
Marketing & Public Relations
3 year
VP for Advancement

Consuela Cooper
Admissions
3 year
VP for Student Affairs

Juanita Wright
Financial Aid
3 year
VP for Student Affairs

Michael Blackwell
Multicultural Education
3 year
VP for Student Affairs

Drake Martin
Residence
3 year
VP for Student Affairs

Michelle Byers
Human Resource Services
3 year
VP for Admin. & Finance

Milissa Wright
Public Safety
3 year
VP for Admin. & Finance

Jean Berger
Athletics
3 year
VP for Admin. & Finance

Anthony Palomo
Students
3 year
President, NISG

Angel Banks
Students
3 year
President, NISG

The Office of Compliance and Equity Management at UNI has oversight for all equity and affirmative action issues involving compliance with federal and state laws, as well as Board of Regents and University policies dealing with civil rights issues. Additionally, they work closely with all departments to ensure the University implements a dynamic recruitment strategy for those affected classes under represented in the current workforce.

Ways in which the Office of Compliance and Equity Management serves the University community:

1. Monitors the University’s recruitment and employment procedures to ensure diversity objectives are met and equal opportunity guidelines are adhered to;

2. Compiles and reviews the University’s statistical analysis and reports concerning the workforce composition by race and gender, including the annual Affirmative Action Plan;

3. Receives reports and complaints concerning alleged violations of civil rights and works toward resolution through investigation, mediation, and other methods (View our brochure, Erasing Discrimination and Harassment in Our Community, for more information);

4. Oversees compliance with various federal and state laws, executive orders, rules, and regulations, including, but not limited to:

-Americans with Disabilities Act
-Executive Order 11246
-Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
-Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

5. Serves as the University liaison with outside civil rights agencies, including, but not limited to the:

-Iowa Civil Rights Commission (ICRC)
-Office for Civil Rights (U.S. Department of Education)
-Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
-Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)

6. Supports, leads, and participates in efforts toward establishing and maintaining a culture which embraces diversity as a core value.

The position of Assistant to the President for Compliance and Equity Management reports directly to the President of the University and directs the operations of the Office of Compliance and Equity Management.

The primary function of the position is as follows:
Plans, develops, implements and administers university affirmative action and compliance policies and procedures; develops and implements campus-wide education and training programs to maximize awareness of discrimination issues, diversity and campus culture; serves as liaison with external agencies and internal offices; responds to inquiries and participates in the resolution of complaints and concerns; directs the investigative and mediation processes; and directs related auditing and reporting systems.