Beverly Belisle is the Gund Institute’s Ombuds for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). The Ombuds is an impartial and independent resource for students, staff, and faculty for discussing and resolving DEIB concerns. Email Bev to arrange a conversation.
Until 2023, Bev served for 20 years as director of UVM’s Mosaic Center for Students of Color. She used her gifts for advocacy, consultation, education, collaboration, and mentorship to benefit generations of UVM students. Her leadership has been recognized many times, most recently with UVM’s Common Ground Award and the Jackie Gribbons Award for Leadership by Vermont Women in Higher Education.
As an Afro-Latina who is a first generation American and college student, Bev believes in the power of higher education to transform lives and provide tools for an unfolding life adventure.
Ombuds' main roles and responsibilities:
- Be available to students, postdocs, staff, and faculty affiliated with the Gund Institute and respond quickly to queries.
- Play a mediating role, if appropriate, between members of the community and those with whom they are in conflict.
- Refer members of the community to additional resources, people, and support, at UVM and beyond, as appropriate.
- Brief the Gund Director and/or leadership team regularly about concerns and issues that have come up and activities undertaken to address them. These briefings are anonymized at the discretion of the Ombuds to ensure privacy and safety of community members.
- Advise the Gund Institute leadership periodically on developing or improving polices/practices to enhance the experience of institute community members.
- When appropriate, report dangerous behaviors or situations to authorities as required by Vermont and federal law and UVM's compliance reporting policy.
