Message from the Vice President for DEI & Chief Diversity Officer, Sharnnia Artis |
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Dear Patriots,
As we settle into the semester, I am thrilled to share with you some exciting updates and reflections. Our journey together has been marked by milestones of progress, and none would be possible without the contributions of the Mason community.
This past fall, Mason became the first higher education institution to receive an organizational certification from the Human Resource Standards Institute
for diversity and inclusion. This recognition underscores our commitment to continual improvement and verifies our steadfast dedication to promoting inclusive excellence. Achieving certification is a testament to our collective impact in cultivating a welcoming environment where all individuals are empowered to thrive, contribute, and succeed. These are not just words, but integral parts of our institutional fabric. Learn more about our certification here.
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In celebrating this milestone, it is essential to recognize the unique perspectives, strengths, and talents that make up our community and are evidence of our commitments. Your presence enriches the Mason community and inspires us to reach new heights. In this edition of our newsletter, we shine a spotlight on some of the myriad events and initiatives taking place this semester honoring our collective achievements and acknowledging the profound impact we have on one another. I encourage you to take part in these upcoming events, and I hope to see you there.
Be brave and bold,
Sharnnia Artis, Ph.D.
Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
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Celebrating Diversity & Wellness: A Few Highlights from February to April
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February is Black and African Heritage Month
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| March is Women's History Month
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| April is Stress Awareness Month
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Gallery Exhibition
DISRUPT AND RESIST: A Love Letter To The Disability Community On What Showing Up For Each Other Can Be
Ongoing through March 1, Gillespie Gallery of Art, Fairfax
Mason Exhibitions
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| GIVE BLACK Summit
Designed to emphasize the significance of philanthropy by bringing together local leaders who have demonstrated this passion in their professional journeys.
February 29, HUB Ballroom, Fairfax
Register on Mason 360
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| Join us at the ARIE Conference 2024
Join us for a transformative experience where individuals -- scholars, researchers, and practitioners from higher education, K-12, community organizations, non-profits, government, foundations, and small businesses -- come together to build and strengthen inclusive communities around research, innovation, and educational excellence. In-person sessions will be held from March 18-19, 2024, in Dewberry Hall of the Johnson Center, at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia,
Free Registration for all Mason Students, Faculty, and Staff
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Equity and Access Services |
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Barriers to access on campus impact us all. We should all work together to keep Mason open and inclusive to all community members. Please abide by the dismount zones and ensure scooters are parked away from paths and walkways. If you notice any barriers to access, physical or digital, on campus please submit an ADA Accessibility Report
. The ADA Office and Accessibility Team welcomes all reports, feedback, and comments in our efforts to maintain a safe, inclusive, and accessible campus.
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| Assistive Technology Initiative
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Feb. 22nd (12:00pm-1:00pm
), ATI staff will host a lunch and learn workshop on “Making your Zoom and MS Teams meetings more accessible and inclusive”. Visit the ATI Workshops page to register.
March 27th (1:00pm-2:30pm), DEI’s Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Community Group will feature a presentation from Lori Kressin, UVA’s Coordinator for Academic Accessibility, discussing their institution’s efforts to streamline the process for reporting and addressing physical and digital accessibility-related issues. There will additionally be updates on Mason’s ongoing accessibility efforts.
If you are interested in attending, please email ati@gmu.edu.
Visit ATI
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If you are interested in learning more about nondiscrimination policies at Mason, please reach out to the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to discuss opportunities to brief your department, unit, organization, or team. For more information, please contact Aketa Emptage, EO Associate Director.
Visit Mason EO
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ASPIRE - Pathway Workshops
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ASPIRE Learning and Development meets people where they are through pathways that provide opportunities for skill enhancement, knowledge acquisition, and career improvement. ASPIRE Pathways serve as transformative journeys that foster growth, learning, and relationship building.
To attend a Pathway workshop, click the corresponding link below to register in MasonLEAPS (login required):
View Full list of ASPIRE Workshops
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| Spring Inclusive Excellence Workshops
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The Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is offering a series of spring workshops focused on the priority areas for the Inclusive Excellence Plans. Registration and resource details are available below.
View Full List of Upcoming IE Workshops
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| Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning
Mar 12: Fostering Engagement and Belonging with Inclusive Classroom Techniques, 9–10am
Mar 20:
(Re-)Designing Syllabi for Inclusive Classrooms that Support Learners & Instructors,
10–11am
View Full List of Upcoming Events
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| New Affinity Group!
The Disability and Neurodivergence Alliance (DNA) is an affinity group that seeks to foster a community where Mason faculty and staff can share resources, successes, and challenges, and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels celebrated. Join the listserv and receive the meeting links! Contact Dr. Millie Rivera or Amy Ayres.
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| NOMINATIONS OPEN: Margaret C. Howell Outstanding Achievement Award
Nominate a faculty or staff member whose efforts demonstrate the character and carry on the work of its namesake, championing the development of respect, diversity, and individual dignity throughout the University and surrounding community. The award recipient will receive $2,000.
View the criteria
and submit your nomination by Monday, February 19, at 9am.
The Outstanding Achievement Awards ceremony will be held April 16 from 10am - 11:30am in Dewberry Hall. For questions, email awards@gmu.edu.
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George Mason University | Fairfax, VA 22030-4444 US
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