The Diversity Certificate Program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center graduated 24 faculty and staff members in latest cohort . The program, which began in 2017, is led by the Office of Equity and Diversity.
The program aims to develop a more knowledgeable workforce by enhancing competencies and capacity around diversity and inclusion in order to leverage them toward achieving and sustaining campus-wide excellence. This initiative aligns with the chancellor’s strategic plan for diversity. To date, 102 UTHSC team members have completed the program.
“The OED Diversity Certificate Program was a great experience that not only covers issues with diversity and inclusion in the workplace, but also how to relate to others who are different from you,” said Jasmine Zust, digital content specialist in the Department of Communications and Marketing, who was in the fall 2019 class. “It helped me get to know people I otherwise would not have been able to meet during a normal workday. I would highly recommend this program to every faculty or staff member at UTHSC.”
The program demonstrates that embracing diversity and inclusion can bring a broader range of perspectives and backgrounds into UTHSC and lead to more-effective decision-making. Participants gain an understanding of the latest research and best practices in the fields of cross-cultural competency and diversity.
“The DCP is about the training and development, and the greatest takeaways for graduates are knowledge and understanding in the value of a respectful and inclusive workplace, ” said Michael Alston, EdD, CCDP/AP, assistant vice chancellor for Equity and Diversity, Title IX Coordinator, and chief diversity officer.
Graduates of the Diversity Certificate Program received their certificates during a ceremony in the Hamilton Eye Institute’s Freeman Auditorium. They are: Allen Barton (Facilities); Alan Burns, MPPA, (College of Medicine); Lawson Culver, MBA, (Electronic Research Administration); Nikki Dyer, EdD, NCC, (Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health); Jasmine Garrett (Department of Pediatrics); Kistal Hamlett (Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation); Janice Harper, RDA, EFDA, (College of Dentistry); T.J. Hollingsworth, PhD, (Department of Ophthalmology); Max Langham, MD (Department of Surgery); Sue Langham, DMD, MA, (General Practice Dentistry); Beth Mobilian, RDH, Med, (College of Dentistry); Mallory Morgan (Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs); Mary Newell, MS, (Office of Enrollment Management); Cody Quon (Office of Finance); Kamaria Robinson, MS, (Student Life and Community Engagement); Quintin Robinson, MS, (Student Life and Community Engagement); Nathan Roy (Facilities); Scovia Rushing (Health Disparities Education and Community Engagement); Tiffany Seagroves, PhD, (College of Medicine); Junling Wang, MS, PhD, (Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science); Clay Woemmel, EdD, NCC, ACS, (Student Academic Support Services and Inclusion); Kaining Zhi, PhD, (Plough Center), and Jasmine Zust (Communications and Marketing).
The abbreviated, conference-style version of the DCP will be held in the spring. Selected participants will learn the same, previously mentioned material over the course of two days. The traditional, four-month format will return next fall.