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Office of Institutional Transformation
Building a Beloved Community
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June 28, 2024
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Thank you, Fr. Jenkins
Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., stepped down as the University of Notre Dame’s president on May 31, 2024, to return to full-time teaching and ministry. From the beginning of his tenure, Fr. Jenkins made clear that advancing diversity and inclusion would be among the primary goals he would pursue during his presidency.
He noted in his 2005 inaugural address: “We must enhance racial, ethnic, gender, socio-economic, and geographical diversity on this campus. We have at Notre Dame a profound rationale for embracing diversity: we believe every human being possesses the dignity of being made in God’s image, and every culture reflects God’s grandeur. As we strive to make Notre Dame more diverse, we must remember that the mere gathering of a diverse group has no value unless the group is a community in which the gifts of each individual enrich the lives of every individual.”
In 2005, I had no idea that I would have the honor of working alongside Fr. Jenkins as vice president for institutional transformation and his advisor—a role he established in 2022 to oversee and help coordinate an integrated diversity, equity and inclusion strategy for the University. However, I valued then and continue to be inspired now, by his powerful call to action for several reasons.
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Eve Kelly named executive director for institutional transformation and staff belonging
Effective July 1, Eve Kelly, associate director for strategic initiatives in the Office of Institutional Transformation (OOIT), will take on new and expanded responsibilities to further connect the work of OOIT with Notre Dame Human Resources.
Kelly will assume the role of executive director for institutional transformation and staff belonging—reporting to Hugh R. Page, Jr., vice president for institutional transformation and advisor to the president, with a secondary reporting line to Heather Christophersen, vice president for human resources.
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Inclusive Leadership Colloquium provides practical tips for enhancing climate and furthering DEI goals
Everyone has the capacity to become more aware of race, racism, and the actions that can be taken to address patterns and systems that marginalize certain groups of people. And institutions can move beyond the well-meaning aspirational goals around diversity, equity, and inclusion to clarifying the steps needed to realize the goals.
Two nationally recognized experts in developing an inclusive mindset and behaviors shared how at this spring’s sessions of the Inclusive Leadership Colloquium Lecture Series including Jennifer Ho, professor of ethnic studies and director of the Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Colorado in Boulder (pictured above).
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Office of Institutional Transformation launches Speakers Bureau
The Speakers Bureau includes more than 20 faculty and staff members who have a passion for and experience in cultivating an inclusive environment. The online database can be a resource for anyone seeking specific insights on or a better understanding of the experiences and needs of first-generation students and those from low-income backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, and women. More broadly, the presenters bring knowledge on topics such as allyship, communicating across differences, compassionate listening circles, educational access, engagement, imposter syndrome, leadership, and well-being.
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DEI practitioner spotlight: Keona Lewis
When Keona Lewis observes a problem or challenge, she is driven to work toward a solution. For Lewis, assistant provost for academic diversity and inclusion, it’s part of her DNA as an applied anthropologist, and in less than 18 months she has leveraged her expertise to develop insights and initiatives that can positively impact retention and recruitment for Notre Dame faculty from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups.
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About
Transformations is a quarterly publication of the Office of Institutional Transformation highlighting Notre Dame’s journey to achieve its aspirations as a truly Catholic, diverse, and inclusive university. To learn more about the people, programs, and progress associated with this integrated strategy, as well as how you can get involved, please visit transformation.nd.edu.
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