A New "Note From Liz"

Continuing the conversation. 

We talk a lot about the need to discuss the challenges we all face. While having conversations is essential, we cannot take 'why' we need to have them for granted. These difficult conversations are about listening and learning. This is how we really grow together as a campus and a community. 

This month, our division has launched a new series, the Journey to Unity Conversations. Each month we will tackle a new topic with the leadership of specific groups. Our effort aims to bring issues we may overlook but are vitally important to listen to and learn from. I encourage you to watch these videos by subscribing to our YouTube page. Please send me questions after each video to discuss each topic, individually and as a campus. Also, if you have a topic you would like us to cover, please let me know.

Part of our growth as a campus is to embed respect and trust in each other while fully understanding our right to free speech. We all received the information on our new, required training program from our Board of Regents, State of Iowa. It is essential for us, students, faculty, and staff, to carve out 15-20 minutes to take this training as a part of our personal journey. Faculty and staff should click here and select First Amendment Training. Students should visit here and select the First Amendment Training course from their course list.

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DEI News

Speaking with Leaders

Dr. Liz Tovar of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has a conversation with diverse leaders at the University of Iowa. In this first video of five, the group discusses the importance of diversity in leadership roles across campus and how we continue the momentum of providing an inclusive experience at the University of Iowa.

New Free Speech Panels and Workshops

To build on the Board of Regents' free speech training, the Division of DEI is offering voluntary and complimentary workshops. Each workshop will offer opportunities to practice specific skills and explore scenarios related to free speech.

In the Arts

Samantha Chang Honored

Samantha Chang, the Iowa Writer’s Workshop Director, celebrated the release of her new novel, The Family Chao, with a reading and conversation at The Englert Theatre.

Liz with Jewish Leadership

Dr. Liz Tovar met with students from the Jewish Business Association and Daniel Aschheim, Consul for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest this week. Special thanks to the Iowa Hillel for hosting the event and International Programs and Tippie College of Business for making this opportunity possible.

DEI Resources

Definitions of DEI Resource

Use our Defining DEI resource to help better understand what DEI looks like, guide conversations, and provide guidance.

Difficult Classroom Conversations

Our Difficult Classroom Conversations resource provides information on Trauma-Informed teaching and a guide on how to teach through tough moments in the classroom. 

Upcoming

Alliant Energy Achievement Award

The Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis, Jr. Achievement Award was created by Alliant Energy to honor Erroll B. Davis, Jr. and recognize the importance of scholarship and leadership by underrepresented minority students in the state of Iowa. Applications are open now.

Black in Business Series Networking Dinner

Come engage with invited professionals, UI faculty, and students interested in business, entrepreneurship, the arts, education, engineering and non-profit work who are looking to connect with leaders in those fields.