University Diversity Council | Division of Inclusive Excellence | The University of Vermont(title)

Everyone on campus is responsible for creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive UVM. Created in 2021, the University Diversity Council ensures representation and action in every academic and administrative unit within the University to advance inclusive excellence.

The UDC intentionally and actively engages all campus units in support of meaningful advancements related to diversity, equity and inclusion while ensuring greater accountability across our community. Convened by the Vice Provost for DOIE, the Council provides advice and support to senior leadership on the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, staff and students, advises faculty leadership on the implementation of the undergraduate general education requirement for diversity, and participates in the analysis of metrics to monitor progress on the climate and culture at the university. Additionally, Council members serve as liaisons to their academic or administrative units to help disseminate best practices, advance cultural competency and civility, and to effectuate initiatives and programs in fulfillment of the Inclusive Excellence Action Plans.

Meet the UDC

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The UDC is comprised of faculty and staff members from across campus. Each academic and administrative unit may appoint up to three representatives to serve on the council. 

Reporting UnitRepresentative
Office of the Vice Provost for the Division of Inclusive Excellence

Amer F. Ahmed

Sherwood Smith

Erika Lala

Carly Duran-Marrero

Enterprise Technology Services 

Ian Davis

Travis Bartlett 

Roxy Bombardier

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Susan Kasser

Noah Barclay-Derman

Koela Ray

Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie

Division of Strategic Communications

Alessandro Bertoni

Tatjana Salcedo

Division of Student Affairs

Elliot Ruggles

Phiona Atuhaire

Division of Finance and Administration

Caylin McCamp

Rebecca Myer

Cindy Lee

Division of Human Resources

Nick Stanton

Jeanne Nauheimer Dorf

Division of Safety and Compliance

Kari Paritz

Kevin Hytten

College of Arts and Sciences

Kat Gainer

Graduate College

Rachel Norris

University Libraries

Kate Bright

Office of the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management

Jennifer Fath

Judy Buxton

Patrick Leahy Honors College

Miriam Mukurazita

Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources

Marie Vea

Alayna Howard

Larner College of Medicine

Tiffany Delaney

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Rachel Leslie

Jane Molofsky

College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

Bree Mathon

KC Williams

Athletics

Cathy Osmers Rahill

Namik Sevlic

Grossman School of Business

Angela Erdmann

Kim Nolan

College of Education and Social Services

Tiffanie Spencer

Jesse Suter

Shane Abrams

Isaac Shoulderblade

Office of Institutional Research and Assessment

Jay Garvey

Colleen Fairchild

Shan Shan Zheng

Professional and Continuing Education

Colleen Fabian 

Morgan Kennison

Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs

Susanmarie Harrington

Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Student Success

Danielle Gallant

Nate Gondelman

The University of Vermont Foundation

Andrew Flewelling

Osher Center for Integrative Health

Cara Hancy

Office of the Vice President for Research

Deb McAdoo

Jessica Waite

Fareed Ahmadi

 

Meeting Dates

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  • Thursday, August 22, 2024 Retreat (9:00am to 1:00pm) Hotel Vermont, Burlington
  • Wednesday, September 11, 2024 (10:00am to 11:30am)
  • Tuesday, October , 2024 (with Sr. Leaders time may be slightly altered)
  • Wednesday, November 13, 2025 (10:00am to 11:30am)
  • Tuesday, December 10, 2024 (1:30pm to 3:00pm)
  • Wednesday, January 8, 2025 (10:00am to 11:30am)
  • Tuesday, February 11, 2025 (1:30pm to 3:00pm)
  • Tuesday, March 4, 2025 (with Sr. Leaders time may be slightly altered 10:00am to 11:30am)
  • Tuesday, April 8, 2025 (1:30pm to 3:00pm)
  • Wednesday, May 14, 2025 (10:00am to 11:30am)

Background

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The University Diversity Council was formed in 2021 at the charge of President Suresh V. Garimella as the culmination of efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the university. The evolution of this work and the strategic groups who championed it are outlined below.

President's Commission for Inclusive Excellence (2014-2020)

The President's Commission for Inclusive Excellence (PCIE) was formed to better support and sustain strategic diversity engagement at the University of Vermont. The name Inclusive Excellence comes from the Association of American Colleges and Universities, which explored how institutions of higher education could infuse the goal of a more diverse and inclusive campus into their work to achieve excellence in the academic and community experiences within higher education (Williams, Berger, & McClendon, 2005).

Commissions and Taskforces for Strategic Diversity

Prior to the PCIE, five Presidential Commissions and a taskforce advised on strategic diversity issues at the University of Vermont. These commissions and taskforce included the

  • President’s Commission on Diversity and Inclusion
  • President’s Commission on Racial Diversity
  • President’s Commission on the Status of Women
  • President’s Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equity
  • President’s Commission on Social Change
  • Campus Accessibility Task Force