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Academic Initiatives

We’re pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of academic life, from programs for current faculty and students to faculty hiring and scholarship initiatives.

A PACT for Antiracist Pedagogy

The SpeakWrite Program will guide an interdisciplinary reading/teaching group focused on antiracist pedagogy. Participants will identify curricular actions and structural changes to integrate social equity into education and support underrepresented groups.

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‘Ask a Black Professor’ Podcast

Heather Washington and Rachael Woldoff in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology will produce a podcast to share the knowledge, work and experiences of Black academics in an accessible and interactive way for students, faculty and the wider community.

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Chambers College Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Handbook for Faculty and Staff

Created by the College's Diversity, Inclusion, Culture and Equity (DICE) committee, this handbook for faculty and staff encourages practices that foster a more inclusive classroom environment.

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Colloquium For Underrepresented Aspiring Doctoral Candidates

High-achieving students of color who are completing or have completed a bachelor’s degree, or are enrolled in a master’s degree program, can hear from professionals in a variety of fields as part of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion's annual Colloquium for Underrepresented Aspiring Doctoral Candidates.

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Crowdfunding Scholarship Campaign

As part of the WVU Foundation's "We Are Stronger Together" initiative, the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion launched a crowdfunding campaign July 20, 2020 to raise scholarship support for current and prospective students from underrepresented groups.

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Diversity Micro-Credentialing Program

To promote equality and tolerance, and to celebrate the dignity of all people, the WVU is developing a Diversity Micro-Credentialing Program to allow students to better understand sources of intolerance and hate as they relate to marginalized and underrepresented people.

Expansion of Honors Ambassadors

Expanding the number of Honors Ambassadors who are reflective of our entire student composition is one way the Honors College is reaffirming its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

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Faculty Development Workshop program

The Office of the Provost, in conjunction with other campus units, hosts trainings and workshops to help faculty learn about current trends in higher education and their impact on WVU’s goals and management. Sessions also focus on developing basic and advanced faculty and leadership skills and the role of equity, diversity and inclusion within a higher education context.

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Faculty Justice Network

The Faculty Justice Network works to fully engage faculty of color — particularly new faculty — within the broader academic life of the University to improve the campus culture and climate.

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Faculty Senate Inclusion and Diversity Committee

The Inclusion and Diversity Committee’s charge includes assessing and issuing a University-wide report on campus culture of inclusion, equity and diversity, and providing material, curricular support and guidance for faculty teaching and service related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Honors College Diversity Module

A diversity module is part of Honors 298o, the first-year seminar course required of all incoming Honors College students.

Honors LGBTQ+ and Allies Affinity Group

This affinity group meets monthly and provides a time and space for Honors LGBTQ+ students and allies to gather and support one another — and to laugh and learn. For more information, email [email protected].

Honors Students of Color Affinity Group

This affinity group meets biweekly, bringing together Honors students of color to connect with and support each other, and to talk with guests from the WVU and Morgantown communities who can help them succeed at WVU. For more information, email [email protected].

Identity Exhibition and Forum

In Spring 2022, the Art Museum of WVU will host an original exhibition on the theme of identity featuring works by contemporary artists drawn from a prominent private collection in New York City as well as the museum’s holdings.

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Inclusive Hiring Initiative

To attract and retain a more diverse WVU faculty, this initiative focuses on the recruitment stage of the hiring process by assisting WVU departments to better find and reach out to those who are diverse in regard to their social identities and their specializations.

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Inside-Out Class – WVU Tech

Supported by a challenge grant from the Office of the Provost, the Inside-Out class will be taught with WVU Tech students and residents in a correctional facility. These classes have proven effective at reducing bias and stereotyping, thus furthering the University mission to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

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Katherine Johnson Scholarship

Established to honor NASA pioneer Katherine Johnson, the first Black women to attend WVU graduate school, this scholarship benefits African American students studying math or science in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

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Nursing PhD Recruitment

The School of Nursing PhD program is working to build diversity among its applicants. The project will be a collaborative effort with the School’s recruiter, current faculty and current students from diverse populations.

Program for Native American Studies

Native American Studies (NAS) is an interdisciplinary academic program in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. The NAS minor curriculum is designed to help students develop a greater respect for and understanding of diverse Native cultures by providing historical context and contemporary perspectives.

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Service-Learning Series for International Students

The Center for Service and Learning is collaborating with the Office of Global Affairs to create a series of three tailored service experiences for international students.

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Simulation for Understanding Health Discrepancies

A new simulation will provide Health Sciences students an opportunity to experience the cultural realities, access barriers, stigmatization and other challenges that minority and marginalized American populations face when seeking care.

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Training and Education Events - Potomac State

Potomac State College partners with WVU Morgantown's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to provide ongoing training and education for students, faculty and staff.

University Mission Hires program

Three of four positions for the University Mission Hires program, announced by the Office of the Provost in February 2020, will start this year; the fourth is planned to begin for 2022.

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