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Parallel Pandemic: Addressing Structural Racism in the Age of COVID-19

October 11, 2021

Year Five of our DEI Strategic Plan was marked by two focal points, the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-racism efforts in response to the killing of George Floyd. COVID-19’s disparate impact on communities of color revealed how structural racism has caused a historical lack of resources and inequitable treatment. While the murder of George Floyd sparked national outrage that demanded an examination of how structural racism is linked to policing and America’s justice system.

Although racism has plagued our country since its inception, systemic and institutional racism that continues to impact our society came to the forefront as a challenge concurrent to the pandemic. While each is separate and uniquely complex, the interwoven nature of COVID-19 and structural racism underscores the reality that if we are to solve either of these issues we must address them both.

Arts+Social Change: Building an Anti-Racist World through the Arts
October 26, 2020

This year’s summit provides a time and space for the campus community to come together to demonstrate a collective commitment to anti-racism that this moment in our history compels. During the fall term Democracy & Debate theme semester, the DEI Summit will focus on the arts as a vehicle for social change and provides an opportunity for curricular integration and connection. Both the theme semester and the Summit confirm our civic engagement values and demonstrate the power of each voice – both at the ballot box and through creative expression.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit
October 2019

University of Michigan leaders shared notable progress in the implementation of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan during the 2019 DEI Summit. More than 1,500 faculty, staff, and students participated in the Community Assembly in-person or online, featuring keynote speaker Van Jones. Additionally, more than 100 central and unit sponsored events occurred across campus throughout the month of October. [LEARN MORE]

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit Week
October 8-12, 2018

University of Michigan leaders shared notable progress in the implementation of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan during the 2018 DEI Summit, as more than 1,200 faculty, staff, and students convened for the Community Assembly. Substantive advancements were made in the university’s efforts to recruit and retain a diverse community, build an inclusive campus climate, and ensure that individuals from all backgrounds can thrive at U-M. Presenters also discussed the challenges the community must continue to work on to fulfill the plan goals, which in turn advances U-M’s excellence as a public university. [LEARN MORE]

Celebrating Progress, Addressing Challenges
November 6-10, 2017

The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit, Year One: Celebrating Progress, Addressing Challenges gave campus community members the opportunity to learn about the work completed during the first year on both university-wide and unit-based plans to improve diversity, equity and inclusion. Events included a keynote speaker, an interactive panel and a ceremonial groundbreaking for a campus multicultural center. [LEARN MORE]

U-M’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan “Many Voices, Our Michigan” was introduced to the university community on October 6, 2016, through a day-long series of events and discussions. The plan launched with the introduction of the university’s first chief diversity officer, Robert Sellers, as he presented an outline of the new plan, while Regent Mike Behm, President Mark Schlissel and then-Provost Martha Pollack spoke enthusiastically about the renewed vision. [LEARN MORE]

• Chanel Barnes (she/her/hers): Communications and Media, Class of 2023
• Ripley Block Newman (she/her/hers): Social Justice, Class of 2024
• Gabryel Elyse Wilson (she/her/hers): English, 2023
• Byron D. Brooks (he/him/his): MSW, Community Change & MHED, Diversity and Social Justice in Higher Ed Grad Student
• Jordan Peyton (she/they): M.S. in Higher Education with a concentration in Diversity and Social Justice, Class of 2023
• Berenice (Alex) Cabrera (she/her/hers): Master’s in Higher Education, Class of 2023
• Jumanah Saadeh (she/her/hers): M.B.A., Business Administration, Class of 2024 & M.A., Higher Education, Class of 2019

• Dominique Acosta – M.A., Higher Education, Class of 2020
• Chanel Barnes – B.A., Communications and Media, Class of 2023
• Maria Cristina Guytingco – B.A., International Studies, Class of 2021
• Keerthi Gondy – M.D., Emergency Medicine, Class of 2021
• Arissa Koines – M.A., Higher Education, Class of 2020
• Leanne Olona – B.A., International Studies and Asian Studies, Class of 2021
• Ryan Perry – B.S., Economics, Class of 2022
• Jumanah Saadeh – M.B.A., Business Administration, Class of 2024 & M.A., Higher Education, Class of 2019
• Nataliya Skoko – B.F.A., Film, Television, & Media, Class of 2022

• Ronnie Alvarez – B.S., Chemistry, Class of 2021
• Kristen Bolster – B.A., Public Policy, Class of 2022
• Joselin Cisneros – M.A., Higher Education, Class of 2019
• Julianna Collado – B.A., International Studies, Class of 2022
• Amytess Girgis – B.A., Political Science & Anthropology, Class of 2021
• Maria Cristina Guytingco – B.A., International Studies, Class of 2021
• Preetha (Sai) Panidighantam – B.S., Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience, Class of 2021
• Ryan Perry – B.S., Economics, Class of 2022
• Kiren Prasad – B.S.E., Computer Science & Chemical Engineering, Class of 2019
• Elijah Rachlin – B.S., Cognitive Science, Class of 2019
• Ciara Timban – B.A., Community & Global Health, Class of 2020