Benjamin Travers
Lauren RubensteinAlison Williams ’81 has been hired as Wesleyan’s new vice president for equity and inclusion/Title IX Officer, President Michael Roth announced in a campus email on March 26. Williams, who earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Wes and later served as an alumni-elected trustee in the 1990s, will begin on July 22. She is currently the associate provost for diversity and intercultural education at Denison University. There, she is responsible for directing and supporting diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives across all sectors of the University, with a focus on faculty recruitment and retention and inclusive pedagogies. She also supports…
Olivia Drake
As a first-generation college student from Scottsdale, Ariz., Caroline Liu ’18 is always aware of the many “nuanced and small ways in which my life experience differs from my peers.” These differences can be especially visible and discouraging during high-stress moments in the semester. For example, she said, students often talk about having their parents read over their school work. “As a first-generation American and low-income student, I don’t have the privilege to discuss any of my academics with my parents, much less have them check over my more theoretical work. They neither have the English language capacity nor the…
On Sept. 28, Wesleyan's new Resource Center opened its doors at 167 High Street with the intention of providing an "intellectually grounded mission in social justice and a focus on intercultural development and literacy." Demetrius J. Colvin, newly hired in the Office of Student Affairs, is the director of the center. Colvin comes to Wesleyan from Macalester College, where he was assistant director of the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Multicultural Life. He previously worked as coordinator of the Multicultural Resource Center at Amherst College. He earned his BA in international studies from Case Western and also has a M.Ed. in counseling…
Bill HolderWesleyan is making determined efforts to hire individuals from historically underrepresented groups, which have resulted in significant advances lately. In 2017, 45 percent of staff hired (not including faculty) were of color — a dramatic increase from 26.4 percent the year before and the previous five-year high of 30.6 percent in 2014. Overall, 22.8 percent of staff identify themselves as of color. Julia Hicks, chief human resources officer, points out that increasing diversity in the workplace has been shown to improve organizational performance. Diversity fosters inclusive cultures where individual differences are respected, teamwork is promoted, and intercultural competence and respect…
In this Q&A, we speak with Teshia Levy-Grant, a 2000 Wesleyan alumna and the dean for equity and inclusion. Q: Teshia, when did you come to Wesleyan and what were hired as? A: I arrived at Wesleyan about three years ago. I initially started as the director for Upward Bound Math and Science and Pre-College Access programs. Q: You’re a 2000 alumna. What made you want to return to Wesleyan for your career? A: I credit Wesleyan for my interest in social justice. It was while I was here as a student that I learned to value and appreciate difference.…
A new task force announced by President Michael Roth will explore the establishment of a multicultural/gender/first-generation resource center as part of Wesleyan's broader effort to improve equity and inclusion on campus. The task force will be tri-chaired by Gina Ulysse, professor of anthropology, professor of feminist gender and sexuality studies; Antonio Farias, vice president for equity and inclusion and Title IX officer; and Shardonay Pagett ’18. Their initial recommendations are expected to be published in February with final recommendations by May 1. "It need hardly be said that making our campus more equitable and inclusive is a communal goal and…