Dear Emerson Community Members,

As we launch the Spring 2018 semester, I am writing to share some very exciting news. After more than six months of reflection and deliberation, the Division of Diversity & Inclusion will undergo a shift in orientation and a name change.

We know efforts to increase institutional diversity in all forms and to embed inclusive practices into the fabric of the College are critical features of institutional excellence. We also know that attention to diversity and inclusion alone are not sufficient for transformative personal and systemic change. Building on the foundation of diversity and inclusion developed over the past five years, we now seek to deepen our work.

Effective immediately, the Division of Diversity & Inclusion will become the Social Justice Center at Emerson College.

The work of Diversity & Inclusion, Violence Prevention & Response, Title IX Equity & Access, and the Elma Lewis Center for Civic Engagement, Learning, & Research will now be organized across four practice areas:

• Advocacy & Support
• Community & Movement Building
• Knowledge (Re)Creation & Sharing
• Access & Equity

Please visit our new Social Justice Center webpage to learn more. We can also be contacted through email at sjc@emerson.edu. For more information about the relationship between diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice, please see the attached brief piece by Dr. Dafina-Lazarus Stewart of Colorado State University.

Additional News from the Elma Lewis Center (ELC)

Promotions:

Suzanne Hinton has recently been promoted to the position of Director of Academic Engagement and Administration in the Elma Lewis Center. Suzanne’s work includes collaborating with the Executive Director in the development of the strategic direction for the Center, and leading the College’s academic efforts toward engaged learning.

Ashley Tarbet DeStefano has recently been promoted to the position of Assistant Director for Community Engagement. Ashley’s work includes advancing community partnerships that are driven by community-led needs and reflective practices that lead to engaged action.

Best wishes for a wonderful spring semester!

Sincerely,

Sylvia
Sylvia C. Spears, Ph.D
Vice President, Social Justice Center
Emerson College