Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)

The Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) works to recognize and value the range of human differences, ensuring fairness and justice in the distribution of resources and opportunities, creating a welcoming and supportive environment where all members of the community can fully participate while fostering a sense of connection and acceptance within the campus community.

Mission:

Our mission is to work to collaboratively with university constituents to cultivate a welcoming environment for all individuals. We celebrate and honor all intersecting identities through civic engagement, comprehensive trainings, and diverse academic initiatives. We are dedicated to the implementation of policies and the use of best practices that explore multicultural and social competencies while placing innovation, inclusion, and belonging at the forefront. We strive to be agents of change that propels campus culture into an inclusive and diverse learning environment for all.

Vision:

We envision a future where all individuals feel a sense of belonging, value, respect, and empowerment. Creating an institution where differences are celebrated and drive innovation, creativity, and excellence.

Values:

Our values guide our work and serve as the foundation for our campus culture. We are committed to:

Respect and Civility: We believe we are responsible for promoting respect and civility in the workplace. This included developing policies that promote civil discourse, teaching employees about the importance of showing respect in the workplace, and responding to reports of bias or unfair practices.
Social Justice and Advocacy: We work to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and given equal opportunities. We advocate for social justice initiatives, creating resources to educate individuals about social justice issues, and working with campus constituents to foster a more just campus community.
Community Engagement: We strive to build relationships between the office of DEIB and the campus community. We do this by being a hub for campus resources, being available for and engaging in dialogue with students, faculty, and staff, and providing trainings to various departments and organizations across campus.
Collaboration and Partnerships: We actively pursue developing partnerships with other organizations to advance our shared goals. This includes creating joint initiatives, engaging in collaborative research, and forming strategic alliances to best manage our budgets and resources.
Institutional Commitment and Growth: We are responsible for ensuring that the institution is committed to its mission, vision, and values. This includes developing policies to support the institutional mission, conducting research to inform strategic decisions, and providing resources to help the institution grow and succeed.
Access and Opportunity: We are responsible for ensuring that everyone has the same access to opportunities. This includes providing resources to underserved communities, advocating for policies that promote equity, and working with employers to increase diversity and a sense of belonging in the workplace.

DEIB Committees

1. DEIB Advisory Board

DEIB Advising Team is comprised of faculty and staff from the university. The goal of the Advising Team is to provide critical guidance and support on DEIB initiatives, helping to ensure that our office is making progress towards our DEIB strategic goals.

Members:

2. DEIB Bias Team

Bias Response Team is comprised of faculty and staff from the university. The team is responsible for responding to and proactively developing strategies and initiatives to address any issues of bias or discrimination on campus.

Members:

3. DEIB Task Force

DEIB task force is comprised of faculty and staff from the university. The goal of the task force is to gather information about student issues related to DEIB and make recommendations to pass to the CDO for improvements.

Members:

DEIB In The News

1. 'Rhyme and Reason' for Diversity, Podcast with Dr. Jones & Hello, SRU! 01/30/2023

Anthony Jones, SRU’s chief diversity officer, talks about his career journey, explains the purpose of DEIB programming, and talks about the importance of having a diverse campus community at The Rock.

2. SRU continues to expand student diversity initiatives, Cranberry Eagle, 01/27/2023

Dr. Anthony Jones and his team have been hard at work creating the framework to better Slippery Rock University’s student diversity and student retention as the university enters a new phase.

DEIB Workshop Series

1. Understanding Bias by Dr. Anthony Jones 01/25/2023

Led by Anthony Jones, SRU’s chief diversity officer, this session will help participants conduct a self-exploration of their own biases, where they come from, and how they are projected onto others.

Diverse Programming

SRU University DEIB Events
SRU Student Organization DEIB Events

Meet The DEIB Staff

Anthony Jones , Ed.D, Chief Diversity Officer

Anthony Jones

Dr. Anthony Jones is a native of Youngstown Ohio, he is among the first in his family to matriculate and graduate from college. Jones recently earned his doctoral degree in educational leadership and policy studies from Eastern Kentucky University, where he also earned a master's degree in student personnel with a concentration in counseling (2013). His doctoral thesis at EKU focused on why Black males persist and graduate from predominately white institutions. He is also a 2006 graduate of the University of Mount Union with a bachelor's degree in art. Jones pursued a career in higher education because he enjoys “helping to mentor and guide students through successful college careers that transcend graduation,"

Jones comes to SRU after a three-year stint at Thiel College. While there, he led efforts to foster and maintain an increasingly inclusive environment that celebrated diversity in all its forms. Prior to his work at Thiel College, Jones worked as the director of multicultural student affairs at Eastern Kentucky University (2016-18) and Marietta (Ohio) College (2009-2011) where he conducted programs to educate campus populations about minority group social issues and cultural competence. Jones has led various diversity conferences and taught courses on the first-year experience, community engagement and global education. Additionally, his student group advising experience includes overseeing a variety of identity based student unions and associations and National Pan-Hellenic councils. Jones himself is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Keshia Booker, Assistant Director

Keshia Booker

Keshia Booker, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania joined, Slippery Rock University professionally in 2017. She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from SRU (Slippery Rock University) in 2016 and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Thiel College in 2010.

Prior to joining the Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging she served the university for six years in the role of assistant director for multicultural development in the Office for Inclusive Excellence. While in that role she focused on creating opportunities for students to explore cultures and identities in a safe atmosphere through campus wide diversity programming.

Prior to her work in higher education Keshia served as case manager for disenfranchised youth at George Junior Republic and a therapeutic support staff with the Barber National Institute. Keshia has a passion for helping others see potential in the youth of today and recognizes that with mentorship and proper access our students have the power and ability to create new and equitable systems.

Amber Holmes, Administrative Assistant

Amber Holmes, a native of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, joined Slippery Rock University professionally in January 2018.

Prior to joining the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, she served the university for a year in the role of clerical assistant 3 for Financial Aid and a clerical assistant 2 for over three years for Bailey Library, Student Conduct and the Center for Teaching and Learning.

SRU DEIB Definitions

How We Define Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

Slippery Rock University is committed to being an inclusive and equitable institution of higher learning for all who live, work and study in our community. And as we pursue continuous improvement in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion, we define those terms as follows:

Diversity:

Diversity refers to the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, religion, and ability. It is critical to recognize and champion the differences that exist within our campus community.

Equity:

Equity refers to fairness and justice in the distribution of resources and opportunities. It involves addressing the historical and structural inequalities that have disadvantaged certain groups of people ensuring that all community members have equal access to resources, opportunities, and support.

Inclusion:

Inclusion refers to creating a welcoming and supportive environment where all members of the community feel valued and respected, and can fully participate in campus life. It involves actively working to identify and remove barriers to full participation, and creating opportunities for everyone to have a voice and be heard.

Belonging:

Belonging refers to feeling a sense of connection and acceptance within the campus community. It involves creating a campus culture that is welcoming and affirming, where everyone feels valued and supported, and where differences are celebrated.

Here are some aspects of belonging that can contribute to a positive college experience:

1. Feeling a sense of connection with other students, faculty, and staff on campus.
2. Feeling like you have a place on campus where you can be yourself and feel accepted. This could be through involvement in clubs, sports, organizations, affinity groups, or other activities.
3. Feeling supported and valued by the college community, through access to academic resources, mental health services, and other support programs.
4. Feeling a sense of pride and ownership in the college community and its values, such as through participation in traditions and events.
5. Feeling that you are part of something larger than yourself, such as through involvement in community service, advocacy, or research initiatives.