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<\/a>The Office of Diversity and Inclusion was established in 2016 with the development of UToledo\u2019s first strategic diversity plan, which expired at the end of 2019. The mission of the office is to ensure every member of the campus community feels included, respected and free from discrimination. It also works to promote a diverse and culturally aware environment that prepares students for success in today\u2019s global world.<\/p>\nThe goals in the updated plan, which has a timeline of 2020 to 2023, focus on leadership and accountability, education and awareness, recruitment and retention, and community engagement.<\/p>\n
The goals are similar, but not exactly the same as the first diversity plan. For example, the new plan establishes supplier diversity as its own goal rather than it being part of the community goal as it was previously, McKether said.<\/p>\n
This second plan also has a greater number of strategies focused specifically on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority students.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince 2016, we\u2019ve added two key positions, one in Enrollment Management and one in the Provost\u2019s Office, that focus specifically on these areas and reflect the University\u2019s commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity,\u201d McKether said.<\/p>\n
Accomplishments during the first three-year diversity plan include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Increasing student, faculty and staff feelings of inclusiveness, according to a campus survey;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Increasing the African-American student retention rate by 8 percentage points and the Hispanic student retention rate by 5.4 percentage points;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Reducing the equity gap by 7 percentage points;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Increasing the African-American six-year graduation rate by 6 percentage points and by 2 percentage points for Hispanic students;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Expanding the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to include an office on Health Science Campus;<\/p>\n
\u2022 Establishing diversity plans, committees and leaders in all colleges; and<\/p>\n
\u2022 Implementing a Dialogues on Diversity initiative.<\/p>\n