The Office of Diversity & Community Engagement Spring 2015 Mosaic THE “Diversity creates dimension in the world” Elizabeth Ann Lawless ODCE hosts its inaugural AccessAbility Summit T he Office of Diversity and Community Engagement hosted its first AccessAbility Summit. This one-day conference featured faculty from The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman’s University, and Michael Thomas, Director of My Possibilities, who is nationally recognized for his expertise in empowerment and accommodation issues. The conference was devoted to providing advocate and provider perspectives on communication challenges involved in seeking and delivering universal solutions for better accommodations. Desmond Blair, UT Dallas alumnus, provided an insightful video that delved into his personal life and described his passion for art. Through this short video clip, the audience was captivated by Blair’s resilience regarding his disability of being born without hands. Blair exemplifies the excellence that can be achieved through perseverance and encouragement. Our expert panelists promoted discussion of design for the broadest possible range of users, called universal design. The panelists provided six distinct perspectives: student, faculty, staff, veteran, advocate and caretaker roles. The focus was on users SEE ACCESSABILITY SUMMIT, PAGE 4. Desmond Blair UT Dallas Alumnus About Us Our Mission: The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement strives to accomplish the fulfillment of the UT Dallas commitment to embrace, enhance and celebrate diversity at all levels of the University and our community through the efforts of faculty, staff, students, the executive leadership and community partnerships. UT Dallas aspires to be a leader in promoting diversity to reach the highest levels of excellence. Dr. George Fair Vice President for Diversity & Community Engagement Dean, School of Interdisciplinary Studies Arthur Gregg Assistant VP for Multicultural Affairs Director, Multicultural Center Dr. Emily Tobey Vice Provost for Faculty Development Associate VP for Diversity & Community Engagement Contents Pg.1 - AccessAbility Summit Pg.2 - About Us Pg.3 - Faculty Diversity Pg.4 - AcessAbility Summit cont. Pg.5 - The Womens Center Pg.6 - Multicultural Center Pg.7 - Community Engagement Pg.8 - Upcoming Events Community Engagement Multicultural Center Galerstein Women’s Center Institutional Diversity Initiatives & ODCE Staff Contact us: The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Road, AD26, Richardson, TX 75080 Physical Location: Administration Building AD 3.207 Phone: (972) 883-4566 Fax: (972) 883-4565 2 Faculty Diversity Inventor and Mentor: New Faculty at UT Dallas Auciello believes one of the most important things he has done is helping these individuals recover vision. He feels that this difference for others is the imperative portion of research. In fact, the reason for his interest in UT Dallas includes the connection to research with UT Southwestern Medical Center, Texas Instruments, and other regional areas where he believes essential research for the future is taking place. He values the spirit for research at UT Dallas. U Numerous students came to Auciello interested in working with him. He is using this as an experimental lead into beginning a business-research collaboration class or program at UT Dallas, bringing science into the business fields. STEM fields often involve research at national laboratories or academic institutions. He feels that the future of science is in small business, and hopes to encourage business people into science. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) is a program that offers grants to beginning science businesses in phases. Phase one offers a six-month grant of $150,000, and phase two offers grants of $2 million to $3 million, for two to three years. Auciello states that he hopes these incentives and programs trying to merge science and business might increase the number of businesses involved in innovative research fields. - Jennifer Kriegel Dr. Orlando Auciello Professor Material Science Engineering Distinguished Chair in Engineering T Dallas has a way of drawing unique, innovative, and caring individuals to its campus. Orlando Auciello, a recent addition to the Materials Science faculty was recognized for one of 2013’s top inventions. Auciello’s research fostered the development of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) coating that is used on the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System and other biomedical devices. The system restores site for individuals who have genetically induced photoreceptor degeneration. It does this by a camera on a pair of glasses that sends a signal to a silicon microchip (coated with the UNCD) implanted in the eye, which then sends a pulse to stimulate first the bipolar and then the ganglion visual cells, and other brain regions involved in vision, resulting in the ability to discern shapes and light. The UNCD ensures that the chip does not incur damage in the eye’s fluid. The research for this was conducted during Auciello’s time working at Argonne National Laboratory, prior to his move to UT Dallas. 3 Institutional Diversity Initiatives AccessAbility Summit Continued from page 1. with disabilities, but with an emphasis on applicability to the general user population. Dr. Fair, VP of Diversity and Community Engagement, stated “We expect the AccessAbility Summit will increase awareness of how universal design benefits both people with disabilities and any user whose task or environment dictates alternative interaction styles. Through conscious thought and commitment we will be able to take a proactive approach to ensure that our students, staff, faculty and community members with accommodation needs are assisted and encouraged to participate within the UT Dallas community.” - Abigail Zapote Rosie Peterson Director Institutional Diversity Initiatives Requesting Accommodations at UT Dallas Students - The Office of Student AccessAbility (OSA) provides: • Academic accommodations for eligible students with a documented physical, mental or sensory disability. • Facilitation of non-academic and environmental accommodations and services. • Resources and referral information, and advocacy support as necessary and appropriate. • Please visit utdallas.edu/studentaccess/ for more information Faculty & Staff • If you are a faculty or staff member and would like to request an accommodation, please contact the Employee Relations Staff in the Office of Human Resources. You will be contacted regarding the accommodation process. • Please visit utdallas.edu/ada/ for more information. Job Applicants & Visitors • You are welcome to request an accommodation to attend an event or to be assisted in the employment process. The ADA Coordinator ([email protected] / 972.883.5331) will contact you to coordinate the necessary arrangements. Verbiage for event flyers: “The University of Texas at Dallas is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University. Students with disabilities needing special assistance to attend please call (sponsoring department/organization and phone number). Texas Relay Operation: 1-800-RELAYTX.” For more information on requesting an accommodation or reporting a barrier please visit utdallas.edu/ada/ 4 Galerstein Women’s Center Women’s Center Redefines Success T from the book were discussed. Dr. Carmen Cruz, Assistant Director and Director of training at Texas Woman’s University Counseling Center walked participants through a series of meditation and relaxation excercies. The event concluded with dessert during which four panelists shared personal stories, thoughts and insight to their own successes and lessons learned along the way. The panel included Dr. Bruce Novak, Dean of the UT Dallas School of Natural Sciences and Math, Dr. Monica Powell, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs for the Jindal School of Management, Dr. Gilbert Marez, Director of Public Relations for Cuidado Casero Home Health and Hospice and Dr. Ellen Greenwald, Assistant Director of the UT Dallas Student Counseling Center. he Empower & Connect Women Series exists to provide our campus and broader community with tools and confidence for success as well as connect them with resources and mentors. The theme this year is “Thrive: Redefining Success,” based on the book Thrive written by Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group. In her book, Huffington shares how our pursuit of money and power has led to burnout, stress-related illnesses, and loss in the quality of our relationships, family life and careers. Huffington suggests we should move away from money and power as traditional metrics for success and add a third metric consisting of four pillars: well-being, wisdom, wonder and giving. Part II of the series, “Thrive: Redefining Success through Wonder and Giving”, will take place on Wednesday, February 4, 2015, 5:30 p.m. -8:00 p.m. at the Student Union Galaxy Rooms. Registration is free and now open at http://tinyurl.com/utdthrive2. - Narcely Ruiz On October 14, 2014, the Women’s Center hosted part I of the series, which focused on wisdom and well-being. The evening kicked off with dinner and conversations facilitated by students, staff, faculty, industry professionals and community members in which a variety of concepts 5 Multicultural Center Welcome the Year With Our Newest Staff Member A s we said goodbye to our highly esteemed colleague, Dr. Netreia McNulty, the Multicultural Center was on the lookout for a candidate to take her position. And with a new year comes new beginnings. We are happy to introduce Monica Williamson as the Multicultural Center’s newest Student Development Specialist. Monica Williamson Student Development Specialist Multicultural Center Williamson’s role focuses on student retention within the department’s scholarship recipients, aptly named the Diversity Scholars. Like many of our Diversity Scholars, Williamson also had to make a big adjustment to college life when she attended Texas Tech University. One of the biggest challenges she faced was the transition of moving from Dallas to Lubbock. Fortunately, Williamson benefited from a retention program where incoming students were matched with a staff or faculty mentor. This program allowed her to feel at ease at her new school and she eventually went on to graduate in the fall of 2009. Williamson began her journey to UT Dallas as an academic advisor for the Naveen Jindal School of Management. When the position at the Multicultural Center became available, Monica jumped at the opportunity to serve students just as she had been served at her alma mater. She is now responsible for advising 31 Diversity Scholars along with various student organizations. The students are required to meet Monica on a monthly basis, four times a semester. She loves that she can help students academically but also socially with relationships on campus, leadership positions and other issues that trouble every college student. She finally feels completely immersed within the UT Dallas community and we couldn’t be happier to have her as part of our team. - Abigail Zapote The MC Celebrates Native American & Hispanic Heritage 6 Community Engagement Campus Welcomes High School Students to Academic Symposium C hoosing the right college can be a stressful activity especially for first-generation college students. On October 22, the Department of Community Engagement hosted the annual Minority Scholars’ Symposium for more than 187 high school juniors and 20 counselors from eight high schools in Dallas and Richardson ISDs. The goal of the program is to showcase the University to underrepresented, high-potential students. UT Dallas Diversity Scholars and students from several multicultural student organizations hosted the high school students. This year, the program allowed students to choose from a variety of informational workshops or lectures led by faculty and staff on topics including computer science and the Pre-Law program. The students also participated in campus tours and spoke with current UT Dallas students about their experience on campus. The Department of Community Engagement selected the eight participating high schools because they have college advising centers staffed by UT Dallas undergraduate students in the G-Force Program. The centers, also known as GO Centers, provide near-peer mentoring to high school seniors. The G-Force mentors will be able to follow-up with the Symposium participants through graduation to help them enroll at UT Dallas or any other higher education institution. “Our goal is to ensure that students stay connected to the university after the Minority Scholars’ Symposium ends,” 7 said Raul Hinojosa Jr., director of community engagement. “The program shows them the tremendous opportunities available at UT Dallas.” For more information about the Symposium or the G-Force Program, contact the department at 972-8834546 or visit us online at utdallas.edu/community. - Anh Nguyen SPRING 2015 EVENTS CALENDAR GALERSTEIN WOMEN’S CENTER Gender Studies Lecture Series: Lisa Elliot Empower & Connect Women’s Series: Thrive, Redefining Success Safe Zone Ally Training Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day iWeek: Henna with International Center Advanced Safe Zone Dialogue Gender Studies Lecture Series: Sarah Richardson National Day of Silence Lavender Graduation (RSVP only) MULTICULTURAL CENTER MLK Jr. Celebration Breakfast Happy Birthday Black History Month Black History Month “Dark Girls” film screening Black History Month “Dear White People” film screening Meteor Theater: Get on Up SUAAB Variety Showcase: Godfrey Black History Month Social Supper Black History Month Africa Night Black History Month The Big Dinner Lunar New Year Celebration Diversity Dialogues European Heritage Celebration Harambee Dinner & Awards Cinco De Mayo Recognition Hispanic Leadership Banquet COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT African American Male Academic Bowl Financial Aid Super Saturday President’s Volunteer Service Awards The Experience 1/28, 2/25, 3/25, 4/29 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25 3/5 4/1 4/23 Noon - 1 p.m. 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. Arts & Technology Bldg ATC 1.201 Student Union SU 1.614/SU 2.508 The PUB Davidson Auditorium SOM 1.118 Clark Center CN 1.112 1/29 2/4 2/13 2/26 4/2 4/2 4/9 4/17 5/12 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Noon - 5 p.m. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Jonsson Performance Hall JO 2.604 Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602 Faculty Dining Hall SU 2.905 Women’s Center SSB 4.300 Women’s Center SSB 4.300 Galaxy Room - B SU 2.602 Davidson Auditorium SOM 1.118 SU Plinth McDermott Suite MC 4.400 1/22 2/3 2/4 2/12 2/13 2/17 2/19 2/21 2/25 2/26 3/3 3/11 4/26 5/1 5/8 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Galaxy Rooms 6 p.m. Visitor’s Center Atrium 7:30 p.m. Jonsson Performance Hall JO 2.604 7:30 p.m. Clark Center CN 1.112 8 p.m. Davidson Auditorium SOM 1.118 8 p.m. Clark Center CN 1.112 6 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602 7 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602 TBD Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. McDermott Suites MC 4.4 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602 Noon - 2 p.m. Galaxy Rooms SU 2.602 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. TBD - 1/31 2/21 3/2 4/11 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. *For descriptions and updates on events please visit http://utdallas.edu/diversity 8 Davidson Auditorium SOM 1.118 Richardson High School* FO 2nd Floor Atrium TBD