Office of Inclusion and Equity

Diversity Dialogue Series Banner

The Office of Inclusion and Equity is a hub for candid, critical conversations that promote an inclusive environment by celebrating differences and engaging and supporting the community.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the next Diversity Dialogue Series takes place virtually on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 12pm noon.

Rebels and Sheroes: Indigenous Women Breaking Rules and Roles

Dr. LaDonna BlueEye will examine the societal and cultural roles of Native American women and will highlight current Indigenous women in leadership roles. Dr. BlueEye is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She is the daughter of Virginia Jessie, granddaughter of Ida Maytubby, and great granddaughter of Nancy BlueEye. Dr. BlueEye received a M.P.H. from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and her Ph.D. from the School of Public Health at Indiana University in Bloomington. She completed post-graduate studies at Columbia University School of Social Work. Dr. BlueEye’s research interests include qualitative methodology in health behavior, health disparities, and culturally appropriate health interventions. She has presented her work and findings on the local, state, national and international levels, and collaborates with both non-Native and Native American communities.

The Diversity Dialogue Series is sponsored by the Office of Inclusion and Equity and the Office of Human Resources.

Login information for this event will be via Microsoft Teams. To register please contact Natalie Munas at natali5@uakron.edu.



Major activities

January

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

February

Black History Month

Rethinking Race

Vagina Monologues

March

Women's History Month

International Women's Day

Black, Brown and Beyond Male Summit

June

Pride Month

November

Diversity Week


ACTIONS

Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery Reopened

After an extensive renovation, the long-awaited reopening of the Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery occurred Friday, September 8, 2023, hosted by The University of Akron’s Office of Inclusion & Equity, The Myers School of Art, and the Dr. Shirla R. McClain Gallery Board. Read more about the opening.

Land Acknowledgement – The University of Akron

University of Akron Land Acknowledgement
The University of Akron is located on lands that have been home to many diverse nations, including the Ohio Seneca and Cayuga, the Lenni Lenape (Delaware), the Miami, the Shawnee, the Wyandot (Wendat), the Ottawa (Odawa) and the Ojibwe Nations. These lands were ceded in the 1805 Treaty of Fort Industry and the forced removal of tribes through the Indian Removal Act of 1830. The University of Akron pays respect to the land and lives of Indigenous Nations past and present, and is committed to a process of continual learning, reflection and reconciliation.

About the Land Acknowledgement
A land acknowledgement is a statement of respect for Indigenous lands and a recognition of colonial occupation of those lands. It is likewise a reflection of our continuing process of learning about the heritage and contemporary cultures of Indigenous Peoples.

The land acknowledgement was researched and written by staff at the Cummings Center. The original research was reviewed by members of The University of Akron Arts and Culture Council and Portage Path Collaborative.

[more information]

Diversity Roadmap Strategic Plan released

In a December 2021 memo to campus, President Miller released the Office of Inclusion and Equity Diversity Roadmap Strategic Plan.


Video: Northeast Ohio Online Vigil Against Anti-Asian Violence

The Northeast Ohio Online Vigil Against Anti-Asian Violence on March 19, 2021, was supported by The University of Akron , Asian Services in Action, the Akron NAACP, the Akron Civil Rights Commission, the United Way of Summit & Medina and many others. #StopAsianHate


STATEMENT ABOUT DIVERSITY
UA student who represents the diversity and equity we all support at the University of Akron.

The University of Akron affirms the importance and value of diversity within the student body, and among our faculty, staff, administration and governing Board of Trustees. Our university values and respects the humanity of every individual from every background, and we embrace the diversity that defines UA and has so profoundly enriched our community.

Statement continues

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND RESOURCES

See a list of our student organizations that serve students' cultural, religious and other interests. 

Students: Learn about the Inclusive Excellence Action Team and how to participate.

Find us on instagram

DIRECTORY

WHO WE ARE

The goal of the Office of Inclusion and Equity is to increase the impact of UA’s inclusive excellence commitment, leading to wider understanding and greater success for all students.

The office reports directly to the president. Now consolidated within the office are a number of units, programs and events that represent a spectrum of diversity. They continue to be offered to directly contribute to matriculation, persistence and graduation from the University.

Wrice named vice president of inclusion and equity and chief diversity officer

Dr. Sheldon Wrice Dr. Sheldon Wrice has been named vice president for inclusion and equity and chief diversity officer. In this role, Wrice will supervise the Office of Inclusion and Equity, Office of Multicultural Development, Multicultural Center and the Women's and Gender Resource Center. The Office of Accessibility has dual reporting lines to Student Affairs and the Office of Inclusion and Equity.

More 

Office leaders

Dr. Sandie L. Crawford
Director, Inclusion & Equity
Office of Inclusion & Equity

Jessica DeFago
Director
Office of Accessibility

Autumn Frampton
Director
Office of Multicultural Development

Terry Vance
Associate Director, Diverse Male Initiatives

Natalie Munas
Administrative Assistant, Sr
Inclusion & Equity/Chief Diversity Officer

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

See the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council roster.

Location

Office of Inclusion & Equity/Chief Diversity
InclusionandEquity@uakron.edu
Buchtel Hall 210
Akron, OH 44325-6237
330-972-6014