Career development professionals have a shared responsibility to acknowledge and combat the systematic racism that impacts our students as they navigate their educational and career aspirations. While this issue is not new, with recent events of racial violence, we may feel like we are experiencing two pandemics. In this time of uncertainty and upheaval, our commitment to advocacy can be greater than ever before. However, allies and advocates may struggle with what to do, what to say, and where to begin. The staff at the UConn Center for Career Development decided to start from within. Join staff from University of Connecticut Center for Career Development as they critically examine previous and current diversity efforts and elaborate on the need to revamp their internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) committee. This session will shed light on the process of recreating a DE&I committee that extended beyond its members and is truly integrated into the individual and collective work of the entire department.
Following this program, you will be able to:
- Identify how the perceived challenges of a virtual setting may pave the way and facilitate access for staff members from regional campuses;
- Examine the pros and cons of the old and new structures; and
- Provide insight into the means that the UConn Center for Career Development used to further infuse a DE&I focus unilaterally.