From the the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

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Dear Students, Residents, Fellows, Trainees, Faculty and Staff,

We are pleased that the recently completed comprehensive campus climate survey characterized UT Health San Antonio as a welcoming environment for all. As we analyze the survey in more detail, we want to reiterate UT Health San Antonio’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, ensuring every member of our campus community is respected and valued by providing a safe educational and workplace environment, free of discrimination. We are deeply proud of the contributions to research, academics, patient care and community engagement made by our diverse groups of students, residents, fellows, faculty, staff and alumni.

To empower and fortify our mission of inclusivity, the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host a series of strategic listening sessions to delve into several specific issues expressed by survey participants, particularly where there are significant differences across groups (e.g., persons with disabilities, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and LGBTQAI+ populations). Listening sessions with members of the UT Health San Antonio community will hopefully allow for conversations about ways to intentionally improve inclusivity and equitability in the campus environment. Much of UT Health San Antonio’s mission success depends on the robust exchange of ideas in pursuit of excellence. Strategic listening sessions will be co-facilitated by Chiquita Collins, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, and John Kaulfus, chief student affairs officer and Title IX coordinator, who will lead a discussion organized around four broad topics:

  • Enhancing the diversity of the campus community.
  • Broadening diversity, equity and inclusion awareness and skills.
  • Strengthening an inclusive and equitable campus environment.
  • Increasing institutional commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Each topic will be described in general terms, yet illustrated with select examples of current programmatic initiatives and practices. Our goal is to gain greater insight in areas in which we can improve. An inclusive environment offers everyone an opportunity to engage within an open-minded atmosphere, a support network and with a mindset toward greater equity.

Recommendations offered through these listening sessions will complement on-going strategic planning in the development of actionable items that the vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion can use to address the unique needs of persons with disabilities, and BIPOC and LGBTQAI+ populations.

NOTE: Learners include students, trainees, residents and post-doctoral fellows.

LGBTQAI+ Listening Sessions:

LEARNERS: Monday, April 4, 4-5 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting and

Tuesday, April 5, 5-6 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting

FACULTY and STAFF: Monday, April 4 at noon: Click here to join the meeting and

Thursday, April 7, 4-5 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting

BIPOC Listening Sessions:

LEARNERS: Monday, April 4, 5-6 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting and

Wednesday, April 6, 4-5 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting

FACULTY and STAFF: Tuesday, April 5 at noon: Click here to join the meeting and

Tuesday, April 5, 4-5 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting

Disability Listening Sessions:

LEARNERS: Tuesday, April 12, 4-5 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting and

Wednesday, April 13, 5-6 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting

FACULTY and STAFF: Tuesday, April 12 at noon: Click here to join the meeting and

Thursday, April 14, 4-5 p.m.: Click here to join the meeting

We will begin to roll out a variety of trainings and workshops to increase educational awareness in partnership with various campus offices. There are also helpful resources available to the campus community.

It is gratifying to see these new initiatives and discussions begin and we are grateful for input and feedback, which is vital to growth and change. We look forward to advancing the culture of inclusion and diversity throughout UT Health San Antonio.

Thank you for helping us make lives better!

 

Sincerely,

Chiquita A. Collins, PhD, MA

Pronouns: she/her/ella

Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Chief Diversity Officer

InclusiveExcellence@uthscsa.edu

 

John Kaulfus, EdD, MEd

Pronouns: he/him/el

Chief Student Affairs Officer and Title IX Coordinator

TitleIX@uthscsa.edu


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