3.15.23

Dear Colleagues:

As you may recall, I have been working to establish a Chancellor’s Committee for Belonging, Dignity and Justice. This committee will work to examine existing approaches to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice across the institution, lead our DEIJ strategic planning efforts, and provide a centralized source for future discussions about how we carry out our institutional commitment to belonging, dignity and justice. I am happy to announce the membership of this committee and our next steps.

Thank you to everyone who nominated a colleague or expressed interest in serving on this committee. The overwhelming response from members of our campus community who expressed willingness to share their time, knowledge and perspectives is evidence of our shared values and goals. Everyone has a role to play in advancing belonging, dignity and justice, and as the committee moves forward, many of you will be called upon to support this work by serving on sub-committees and sharing your perspectives. Please watch closely for future opportunities to support this committee’s work.

I look forward to seeing how each member of this committee brings their unique voice to the discussions The founding membership of the Committee for Belonging, Dignity and Justice includes:

• Daniel Aguilar, Program Coordinator of Hispanic/LatinX Outreach
• Shelby Bedford, Assistant Director for Access & Equity (chair)
• Kyle Blount, Assistant Professor of Ecohydrology
• Beverly Bunch, Professor, School of Public Management and Policy
• Jessie Burrell, Director of Marketing
• Mark Dochterman – Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Engagement
• Lynn Fisher, Chair & Professor of Sociology/Anthropology
• Margaritta Fultz, Administrative Aide, UIS Office of Admissions & Enrollment Management
• Jé Greer, Human Resource Associate
• Pam Hulten, Director of Development
• Kamille Jones, Head Volleyball Coach
• Jeff Moulton, Inclusive Workforce Specialist
• Ross Owens, Chief of Police
• Justin Rose, Director of Diversity & Inclusion
• Lucía Vazquez, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation
• Jorge Villegas, Associate Dean & Professor of Marketing

I am asking the committee to schedule their first meeting in the coming weeks, where I will introduce members to their charge. Updates from the Committee will be posted on the Belonging, Dignity and Justice at UIS website and included in my biweekly Monday newsletter as appropriate.

Janet

Janet L. Gooch, PhD

Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield