In February 2022, Brian Gittens, Ed.D., MPA, vice chancellor for the Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, welcomed and renewed appointments of co-chairs for DDEI subcommittees. These subcommittees work to improve the climate and culture within UAMS by providing advice to institutional leadership on policy decisions to create more equitable hiring, offer more opportunity for mentoring and research for minority scholars and create a more welcoming environment that respects the identity of all individuals. Guided by co-chairs and a DDEI staff liaison, these subcommittees craft and implement signature programs regarding recruitment and retention of individuals who, too often, may not get their voices heard: minority faculty, staff and students, veterans, women, LGBTQ+ individuals and those with disabilities. More than 150 faculty, staff and student volunteers are a part of our DDEI committees and subcommittees. These volunteers bring a broad range of lived experiences, diversity of thought, and shared passion as we develop and implement DEI initiatives throughout our campus.
DDEI LGBTQIA+ Subcommittee
This subcommittee, comprised of students, staff and faculty, is charged with creating a safe space for campus community to increase awareness, engage, form alliances and give voice to LGBTQIA+ related issues.
- Co-chairs: Emily Freeman and Dr. Zachary Lewis.
- DDEI Liaison: Amber Booth-McCoy
DDEI Veterans Subcommittee
This subcommittee is charged with helping to ensure military and/or veteran students, staff, faculty, and alumni find resources, support, and advocacy at UAMS. It works to create a stronger and more inclusive campus community by focusing on initiatives and events that recognize, engage, and benefit our military/veteran students, staff, faculty and alumni.
- Co-chairs: Rebecca Bird, Meljoelyn Garner, Teresa Hurst, Moises Manjarres and Eric Turner.
- DDEI Liaison: Odette Woods
DDEI Disabilities Subcommittee
This subcommittee is charged with helping to ensure campus community members with disabilities find resources, support and advocacy at UAMS. It works in collaboration with DDEI to create a diverse and more inclusive community by focusing on initiatives and events that create awareness, engage, support and increase accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
- Co-chairs: Karl Roberts and Tom Jones.
- DDEI liaison: Odette Woods
DDEI URM Student Recruitment, Engagement and Retention Subcommittee –
The charge of this committee is to evaluate data for underrepresented minority students and retention rates, to recruit faculty to participate in recruiting events and workshops, and to engage current URM students through social and recruiting events. Members include representatives from all colleges and the Graduate School.
- Co-chairs: Kimberlyn Blann and Tyrun Haynie.
- DDEI liaisons: Nick Pettus and Renisha Ward.
DDEI URM Faculty Recruitment, Engagement and Retention Subcommittee
This charged to ensure parity across faculty members in access to, utilization of, and satisfaction of resources to support faculty development for career advancement and to increase faculty diversity across all colleges.
- Co-chairs: Dr. Bhwana Jha, Dr. Amy Scurlock and Shey Anderson.
- DDEI Liaison: Dr. Gloria Richard Davis.
DDEI GME Subcommittee
This subcommittee advocates and represents the interest of UAMS URM residents and fellows across the state regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. It is also responsible for implementing an event or initiative that advances the DDEI Inclusive Excellence Plan.
- Co-chairs: Dr. Carla Brown, Dr. Lauren Gibson-Oliver, Dr. Mary Nance and Dr. Natalie Tips.
- DDEI Liaison: Dr. Gloria Richard Davis
DDEI URM Staff Recruitment, Engagement and Retention Subcommittee
This committee is charged with advocating, supporting, and providing resources for URM staff. This subcommittee focuses on URM staff-related issues and initiatives aimed to intentionally impact the recruitment, engagement and retention of potential and current URM staff.
- Co-chairs: Sherie Brown, Lakeisha Lovelace, Michael Thomas and Sharanda Williams.
- DDEI Liaison: Odette Woods
Diversity and Inclusion Engagement Subcommittee
This committee is charged to assist DDEI in promoting an awareness of and an appreciation for the diversity of our campus community, as well as to engage campus community members by designing, planning and implementing campus-wide initiatives and events that further the mission of DDEI. This subcommittee works collaboratively, with no co-chairs.
DDEI Liaison: Odette Woods
If you are interested in serving as a volunteer on one of our DDEI subcommittees, please reach out to the designated DDEI liaison.