As part of Johns Hopkins efforts to build a pluralistic community, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has established an Inclusive Excellence Education & Development program offering new and expanded workshops this fall.
Led by Executive Director Demere Woolway, the IEED program is designed to connect members of the Hopkins community with resources to help strengthen the campus climate and work toward the goals set forth in the university's Second Roadmap on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The IEED program takes an inclusive excellence approach, which includes asking all members of the JHU community to commit to:
- Learning about the identities and experiences of members of its communities
- Taking action to ensure equitable outcomes for those who have been historically marginalized
- Building a welcoming environment for everyone who learns and works at Johns Hopkins
"IEED strives to help build a sustained culture of inclusion where every member of the community feels valued and empowered, reinforcing Johns Hopkins' reputation as a leader in diversity and excellence in higher education," Woolway says.
The IEED workshops supplement courses offered by the Office of Human Resources and the Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation and were created for faculty and staff to inform, enhance knowledge, and develop skills for introspection and action. The in-person, virtual, and asynchronous workshops are grouped into three levels—introductory, intermediate, and advanced—to welcome participants with or without prior experience in inclusive excellence coursework and to equip participants with practical tools for application day to day. Current offerings include:
- Appreciating Identities
- Learning to Listen
- Communicating Across Difference
- Emotional Intelligence and Diversity
- Towards Antiracism
Workshops are accessible to individuals through the myLearning platform, or faculty and staff can request tailored sessions for a group or department.
One standout in the series is Leading DEI Strategy in Higher Education, a cohort-based program designed for community members who are looking to enhance their leadership skills in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The comprehensive five-course program is offered in both hybrid and virtual environments, providing a flexible yet rigorous learning experience.
IEED workshops have a research-based foundation, incorporating the latest findings and best practices from peer-reviewed journals and lessons learned from the Hopkins community.
Carmen Diaz, assistant director of IEED, says, "Our team reviews feedback surveys from participants of each session to make short-term adjustments and reviews completion and feedback data to update our curriculum annually." This process, she says, helps ensure that the programs remain up-to-date and responsive to the needs of faculty and staff.
In addition to Woolway and Diaz, the IEED team includes educator Markyta Sirett, whose goal is to design programs that resonate with faculty, staff, and students in a way that ensures IEED workshops are inclusive and impactful, welcoming a broad range of perspectives and interests.
"The most rewarding aspect of our role is seeing the impact of our sessions and resources on the university community," Sirett says. "Watching individuals grow in their understanding of inclusive excellence ignites our energy to keep doing this work."
Adds Woolway, "Johns Hopkins University is not just addressing immediate diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges but also laying the groundwork for a more inclusive future. And at IEED we are in the business of creating small nudges that are sustained over time. If we plant these seeds now and know that they will flower in a year, in five years, then we'll have made a contribution."
For more information on IEED's offerings and to register for a course, go to diversity.jhu.edu/resources/diversity-education-opportunities.
Individuals interested in bringing workshops to their teams can complete IEED's interest form to request a session and time.
Tagged hr newswire
