Preparing students, staff and faculty to be globally responsible and engaged citizens is central to the College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ mission, which stems from the University’s first strategic goal to build a diverse and globally aware university community sustained by an inclusive, supportive and just campus climate.
Inspired by this mission, the CNHS Committee on Inclusive Excellence (CIE) presents a series of professional development workshops on topics of diversity and inclusivity. The sessions start December 1 with the topic “Myth-Busting About Accommodations in Nursing and Health Sciences Education.”
The CIE is a working group charged with tracking emerging diversity issues in CNHS and developing a plan to enhance cultural competence and patient- and family-centered care across disciplines by Fall 2018. Members meet with Dean Patricia Prelock each semester to recommend priorities for strategic diversity engagement.
“Understanding the value of each human we touch or care for is at the core of what we do as health care professionals,” explains Dean Prelock. “The CIE is a critical vehicle for developing a pathway to understanding the differences within and among those with whom we work, learn, and engage. Staff and faculty members of the CIE are guiding us on our journey toward greater understanding of who we are and how we impact the lives of others.”
Committee members represent each department and interdisciplinary program in the College and include faculty and staff with a broad range of positions and responsibilities. Students ambassadors are also encouraged to join the initiative or members encouraging all CNHS personnel to build a strong understanding of social justice and infuse that awareness into their lives, office environments, curricula, clinical and classroom settings.
“As educators and staff, we have key roles in creating safe, inclusive environments for each other and our students,” said Vanessa D. Santos Eugenio, M.Ed. ’13, who serves as interim chair of the committee. “Diversity and inclusion encompass much more than a singular development series, and our Committee on Inclusive Excellence encourages everyone to attend campus-wide and community events in addition to what we offer.”
The CIE workshop series arose from a survey of CNHS faculty and staff interests about topics of diversity. The CIE used the survey results to identify opportunities for growth in areas of focus aligned with the university’s strategic goals around the core areas of focus: Academics, Community, Environment and Operations.
The series will incorporate two focus areas per year. The first four workshops concentrate on understanding and dispelling myths about accommodations for disabilities in educational and clinical settings. In the spring, discussions will delve into racial and ethnic diversity.
“We hope that everyone will utilize what they learn from our Inclusive Excellence Professional Development series to critically reflect on their own work, personally and professionally,” Santos Eugenio explained. “Only together, through conscious effort, can we move forward to create a safe and inclusive environment for all to thrive. Our active participation is critical to our success as a college, a university and as citizens of the world.”
Students, faculty and staff interested in topics of disability/ability, racial/ethnic diversity, white privilege, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality or equity are welcome to join the committee. Contact Vanessa D. Santos Eugenio: veugenio@uvm.edu.
Committee on Inclusive Excellence Members:
- Sarah Abrams, Associate Dean, Nursing
- Erica Caloiero, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
- Mary Alice Favro, Clinical Associate Professor, Communications Sciences and Disorders
- Jaimie Gay, Lab Research Technician, Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences
- Nancy Gauvin, Clinical Assistant Professor, Communications Sciences and Disorders
- Brenda Hamel-Bissell, Professor, Nursing
- Alan Maynard, Clinical Associate Professor, Rehabilitation and Movement Science
- Koela Ray, Lecturer, Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences
- Mischka Rizzo, Program Support Generalist, Nursing
- Vanessa D. Santos Eugenio, Academic Advisor, Office of Student Services