Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Undergraduate Biology DEI Statement
We in the Undergraduate Biology Program believe that diverse perspectives and personal experiences are vital to our success. The Undergraduate Biology Program at the University of Kansas is committed to creating a space where all ideas and perspectives are valued. Below, we describe our DEI vision and action steps to create a caring and inclusive culture for all our students, staff, and faculty.
Vision:
We strive for:
- A diverse faculty and staff that reflects our student population
- A student population that reflects the diversity of our global community
- A place where all students, staff, and faculty feel they are accepted and included
- A culture of accountability: when problems arise, we work to address them on an individual, classroom, and departmental basis
Faculty & Staff will strive to:
- Foster a supportive environment during student and colleague interactions
- Provide standardized materials to students regarding out-of-classroom learning opportunities
- Create inclusive office spaces for students
- Highlight supportive opportunities to students
- Implement inclusive pedagogy through course transformations and other best practices
- Provide training and assistance to spread inclusive pedagogy practices for faculty and staff within and outside KU
- Provide training to faculty and staff that enhances understanding of identities
- Train undergraduate and graduate teaching assistants in best practices in education
- Use inclusive hiring approaches in our unit.
- Participate in regular Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion educational efforts
- Seek to identify and eliminate any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services
- Respect the diversity of student values, experiences, and motivations
Our students can join us by:
- Sharing experiences and perspectives openly and honestly with the faculty and staff of biology
- Contributing to a collaborative learning experience by respecting peers and their various identities and viewpoints
Undergraduate Biology DEI Committee Members
Lauren Spain-Eddington, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Biology, Committee Chair
Victor Gonzalez, Assistant Teaching Professor
Bridgette Kells, Academic Advisor
Tara Marriage, Assistant Teaching Professor
Dyan Morgan, Associate Teaching Professor
Denny Swartzlander, Director of Physiology Laboratories
Shelly Nauman, Microbiology Lab Coordinator
Maria Losito, Communications Coordinator
Additional DEIB Resources:
Office of Civil Rights and Title IX
Office of International Support Services
Office of Diversity in Science Training
Office of Multicultural Affairs