College DEI efforts get a boost

Dean Jim White elevated Karla Slocum’s position from associate dean to senior associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion in the College of Arts and Sciences in September.

In Slocum’s 14 months as associate dean, White noted that she had made great strides in bringing the College community together. She created new outlets for communications and outreach (such as the Conversations to Uphold Equity series); revamped the College’s diversity website to highlight DEI initiatives and resources available to the community; convened and provided support for the communities of color faculty cluster hire; and worked closely with departmental and unit diversity liaisons and other campus partners to advance DEI issues in the College and across the University. Slocum is leading plans to develop a DEI strategic plan that will be finalized this year.

In May, under Slocum’s direction, the College awarded $36,000 in grants to 13 academic departments and programs to support DEI initiatives.

Funded proposals included an initiative to create a field guide detailing policy for safe and inclusive fieldwork by the department of earth, marine and environmental sciences and the hosting of faculty mentoring workshops in the women and gender studies department.

“With more than 40 academic departments in the College, it is vital that we support the equity and inclusion work that our colleagues are leading for the betterment of their faculty, staff and students,” Slocum said.

Learn more about the grant recipients at go.unc.edu/DEI-grants.