First Three Weeks

Dear UW Community:

It has been an amazing three weeks since joining the University of Wyoming community on July 17^th.  While I have many more introductions and meetings to go, I have had the opportunity to meet with some members of the University of Wyoming community and have begun the process of summarizing and prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion on the UW campus from your perspectives. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is focused on a broad definition of diversity that includes race/ethnicity, religion, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, age, national origin, and other ways we are unique and also similar. Below you will find the prospects I have summarized after having conversations with several members of the UW community through Friday, August 4, 2017:

1. Recruiting, hiring, and retaining more diverse faculty and staff;
2. Recruiting, enrolling, retaining, and graduating more diverse undergraduate and graduate students;
3. Expanding a climate of equity, diversity, and inclusion for all members of the UW community;
4. Improving communication to keep everyone in the campus community informed and engaged with diversity, equity and inclusion; and
5. Providing more diversity education for the campus community.

Number three (3) is the result of hearing the need for more dialogues, conversations, and support for diverse populations. Number five (5 ) is the direct result of hearing from this community that there are many students, faculty, staff, and UW community members who care about diversity, equity, and inclusion but do not know what to do; how to do it; or lack the confidence in their awareness, knowledge, and skills to support these efforts.

These are excellent opportunities that I am creating plans to address and support. I will continue to talk to members of the UW community to incorporate more insights from your perspectives and experiences. Though I may not get to meet with you personally right away, your experiences, thoughts, opinions and perspectives are still needed and valued. I encourage you to visit the Web site of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for updates at www.uwyo/diversity. While visiting us online, we hope that you will respond to the four questions posted on the Web site. You may also send your comments, recommendations or suggestions to diversity@uwyo.edu or call 307.766.6672.

Sincerely,

Dr. Emily A. Monago

Chief Diversity Officer

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion