Westminster University - Utah
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

Westminster has had a diversity committee for over ten years. There are 14 members of the committee: seven faculty members, the Human Resource Director, Director of Admissions, Dean of Students, a designee from Institutional Advancement, two students, Dirctor of Diversity Student Affairs and Sercies, Director of Student International Serices, and the Associate Provost for Diversity and Global Learning. All members are voting members appointed in consultation with the Director of Diversity Student Affairs and Assoicate Provost for Diversity and Global Learning. Final approval occurs by a faculty vote during the April faculty meeting. Faculty serve staggered two-year terms. Mission Statement: To instill diversity into our institution’s consciousness and advocate for equity and excellence through our policies, practices and programs. Specifically we: • Encouraging diversification of faculty, students, and staff (e.g. increase racial and ethnic diversity as well as representation of LGBTQ persons and persons with disabilities) • Promoting full integration of diversity into the curriculum, including advising the LE committee as it assesses courses submitted to fulfill the diversity requirement. • Advocating for a supportive learning and social environment for students of color; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) students; women; students with disabilities; and students from low-income and a variety of religious and cultural background • Supporting and participating in the Diversity and International Center’s diversity programming and student support initiatives. • Planning and implementing the Diversity Lecture Series. • Collaborating as appropriate and building on synergies with the International Council to help further the College’s goals related to Diversity and Internationalization. • Supporting and contributing to the development of assessment measures related to the above.

Faculty-- Deyanira Ariza Velasco, Spanish Scott Gust, Speech Cassie Power, Pschology Carol Jeffers, Nursing Marilee Coles-Ritchie, Education Joel Watson, Education Bridget Newell, Associate Provost for Diversity and Global Learning Staff-- Sara Demko, Director of Student International Services Rich Garcia, Director of Diversity Student Affairs and Services Michell Call, Student Life Darin Jones, VP of Human Resources Dana Tumpowski, Institutional Advancement Trisha Teig, Student Life Karla Mancilla, Admissions Students-- Robin Smith, ASWC SAC Diversity Chair Laura Wolf, ASWC SAC Diversity Chair

Westminster’s Diversity & International Center serves as the central resource for community building, educational programming, and support services for First Generation College Students, International Students, LGBTQ Students, Students of Color, and Allies. We also provide comprehensive advisory services for our international students and scholars (F and J visas), as well as information and advising about study abroad options. Honoring the complexities of local and global individual differences and identities, the Diversity & International Center facilitates learning excellence, leadership development, and individual awareness through programs, dialogues, training, and study abroad opportunities grounded in a commitment to advance social justice and equity in a global and changing world.

As the Director of Diversity Student Affairs & Services, Rich provides programming that is designed to assist underrepresented students negotiate and navigate their educational experience at Westminster College using a philosophy of access, equity and inclusion. Rich is also committed to the institutionalization of diversity at Westminster viewing diversity as everyday work for everyone. Rich also serves on the Westminster College Diversity Council and works collaboratively with identity based student organizations on campus to promote diversity.