Table of Contents
The Diversity & Inclusion Innovation Fund
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A Word from Dr. Diaz
As the pace of the semester quickens, so too quickens nature’s unfurling of bright green sprigs and sprouts on the Hilltop. As current issues around the globe illustrate human suffering, we hold fast to nature as a healing balm. This issue of the Inclusion Bulletin, pays tribute to the Asian Diaspora with programming and events to increase awareness. Hear from student athlete Josie Hulbert ’22, who reflects on the rich diversity in Manchester. As well as from Yihe “Chloe” Peng ’23 who talks about her experiences being awarded an innovation grant to see her collaborations come to life.
I also write to update Anselmians on our collective progress. This issue of the bulletin introduces the Saint Anselm College Vision 2025 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan. President Joseph A. Favazza appointed co-chairs Dr. Ande Diaz and Dr. Ward Holder who worked with over 30 college community members to develop the DEI Action Plan. This bulletin’s “Did You Know” section includes information for the college community to review a draft of the action plan and to submit comments/suggestions on the MyAnselm Portal.
Finally, this issue of the Inclusion Bulletin ends with upcoming happenings as the semester closes. Don’t miss “Fuel Up For Finals” free Iced Coffee and Donuts at the Office for Diversity & Inclusion on May 11!
In the Spotlight
Josie Hulbert, ’22
Student Athlete majoring in finance.
Hometown: Loudonville, NY
Q1: Where or what was home for you growing up?
Loudonville, N.Y.
Q2: What is Saint Anselm College doing well to advance DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion)? Give some examples.
First of all, I see diverse faces on different sports teams. The first step is having a diverse student body. We can move to the next step from there. This year, I see more diverse types of food in the dining hall, even though I miss the action station dearly. Before I decided to attend Saint Anselm College, I participated in the Multicultural Visitation Program through the Intercultural Center and I really appreciated the experience. That event helped me get a sense of what college would be like for me. It helped me decide.
Q3: What can Saint A’s do better to advance DEI initiatives/goals?
I think we are really in a “bubble” at Saint Anselm College. Manchester is a really diverse city. Having more programs/events that engage students in the local area would be a great way to advance diversity and inclusion.
Q4: What is one thing you are doing to help advance the DEI initiatives around campus?
First, I am Asian-American on the Saint A’s tennis team. Second, I always like to advocate where I stand on my personal social media. Thirdly, I am one of only a few female students in the finance program.
Did You Know?
The college is producing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan. A summary and an invitation to comment on the plan follows.
“We recognize that if these plans were to be fully realized, it would change the nature of all that we do. But we believe that both this moment in the college’s history and our mission calls us to do exactly that.” – Ward Holder, professor of theology and co-chair of the DEI Action Plan Committee.
Saint Anselm College’s Vision 2025 Strategic Plan consists of five pillars including one titled “Access and Inclusion.” The signature element of this pillar is the college’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Action Plan. In the summer of 2021, President Joseph A. Favazza appointed co-chairs Dr. Ande Diaz (chief diversity officer) and Dr. Ward Holder (theology department and honors program) as well as 13 committee members. Drs. Diaz and Holder then appointed 17 additional subcommittees and resource people to work on the DEI Action Plan. The committee met regularly and in subcommittees.
Student voice was an essential part of the process, with Amani Clemmons ’24, Courtney Hull ’23, Anna Gendron ‘23, and Jillian Barrett ’24, on the committee. Jillian shares her thoughts about her experience working on this important college plan.
Q1. Why are you pleased to be on the DEI Action Planning Committee?
The DEI Action Planning Committee gives me the opportunity to have a voice as a student of color on this campus. It gives me the ability to share my experiences and create positive change. I have a voice amongst some of the most powerful and hard-working faculty and staff on this campus.
Q2. What do you believe are your strongest contributions to the DEI Action Plan thus far?
Major: Spanish and Social Work
Hometown: Worcester, Mass
I have been working on subcommittee C/D, Creating a Community of Dialogue and Respect and Investing in Our People. I try to provide a lens that encourages the committee to see things in a new light to better understand how our work might look to students. If changes are made in the higher levels of campus, but not at the student level, it may be difficult for BIPOC students to actually see that people care about them and are working so diligently to make their experience at the college a positive one.
Q3. What is your biggest hope for the DEI Action Plan?
People have big ideas and big passion, but it's easy for DEI to get pushed under other things. My biggest hope is that the passion continues in plan implementation and we are not only able to create a plan that changes the culture of our campus but lasts for years to come.
In addition, the committee worked closely with the Office of Institutional Research (OIR) to understand enrollment data, yield trends, and campus climate assessment data. The climate data alone included over 800 student respondents. Director of the OIR Joyce Larson enjoyed reading what students had to say: “Their comments were wonderfully honest and insightful, and added a much-needed dimension to the quantitative data!”
This winter an expanded group of subcommittee members and resource people then developed goals and strategies for the following areas of: 1) Education, 2) Access & Success, 3) Community and Investing in our People, and 4) Building a Student-ready Workforce. A section on infrastructure draws from these areas and provides clarifications needed to project resources required to implement the plan. Next steps include sharing the plan with a variety of key stakeholders on campus including Faculty Senate and Student Government Association. The plan will soon be posted with a brief feedback form. “We want to hear from the community,” says Wayne Currie, director of the Intercultural Center.
The entire campus community is invited to review the action plan and provide feedback. The plan and survey are available on the MyAnselm Community portal or by clicking on the links to the DEI Action Plan - Ver. 5 - Overview for Community Feedback document and the Saint Anselm College’s Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Action Plan Feedback Survey.
The survey closes on Wednesday, April 20, at midnight. Comments received by that time will be reviewed by the DEI AP committee. From there, the DEI Action Plan committee finalizes our recommended plan for trustee consideration.
“From our college’s founding in 1889 to provide a quality education to the kids of immigrant millworkers, to the Anselmian Network for Racial Justice today, Saint Anselm has been about removing barriers and ensuring student success,” says Chief Diversity Officer Ande Diaz. Or as Dean Christine Gustafson more succinctly puts it, “DEI is in our DNA.”
The Diversity & Inclusion Innovation Fund
To incentivize Saint Anselm College community-based initiatives for strengthening campus inclusiveness.
“Through this program, I was able to meet and work with peers who have the same values as me. It was a really valuable experience because not only did I get to advocate for things I am interested in like promoting diversity and inclusion on campus, but it also gave me an opportunity to work with some amazing people. DIIF initiatives are a great way to put ideas into action.”– Yihe “Chloe” Peng ’23
- Eligibility: all faculty, staff, monastic, and student community members.
- Application deadlines: once each semester.
- Duration: one semester or one academic year
- Typical grants will range from $500 to $2,500.
For full description and application information, visit the Diversity & Inclusion Innovation Fund (DIIF).
Save the Date!
- April 1-30: Book Display for the National Poetry Month by the Geisel Library (contact: geisellib@anselm.edu)
- April 19: Short films “Slaying the Dragon” and “Slaying the Dragon, Reloaded” viewing and discussion with Professor Thorn, English, Chloe Peng ’23, and Anna Raley ’24, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., Perini Hall, Goulet
- April 22: The Taste of Asian outside of the student center at 12:30 p.m. (contact: The Intercultural Center wcurrie@Anselm.Edu )
- April 24: Fellowship of Christian Athletes at 8:15 p.m. (contact: Campus Ministry peerministry@anselm.edu and The Intercultural Center wcurrie@Anselm.Edu)
- April 25: Good Grief Abbey Church, lower level at 8:15 p.m. (Contact: Ann Manning at amanning776@anselm.edu or Fr. Mathias, O.S.B., mdurette@anselm.edu)
- April 25: Delight Ministry Abbey Church, lower lever (contact: Campus Ministry peerministry@anselm.edu) 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- April 26: Movie Viewing - Turning Red on Alumni Quad 8:00 p.m. (contact: The Intercultural Center wcurrie@Anselm.Edu )
- April 29: TEDA's LGBTQ+ Visibility Day from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the JOA Green
- April 29: Boba Tea on JOA Quad at 1:00 p.m. (contact: The Intercultural Center wcurrie@Anselm.Edu)
- May 1: Fellowship of Christian Athletes at 8:15 p.m. (contact: Campus Ministry peerministry@anselm.edu and The Intercultural Center wcurrie@Anselm.Edu)
- May 2: Delight Ministry Abbey Church, lower lever (contact: Campus ministry peerministry@anselm.edu) 6:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- May 3: Asian Student Reflection Event Space at 3:00 p.m. (contact: The Intercultural Center wcurrie@Anselm.Edu )
- May 6: Food Recovery (contact: Campus ministry peerministry@anselm.edu) 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- May 8: Fellowship of Christian Athletes at 8:15 p.m. (contact: Campus ministry peerministry@anselm.edu and The Intercultural Center wcurrie@Anselm.Edu
- May 11: Fuel Up for Finals! The Office for Diversity & Inclusion invites students to stop by to grab a donut and iced coffee on Wednesday, May 11 (Reading Day) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Find us in the Alumni Hall on the 1st floor next to the Registrar’s Office.