I strive to be an equity-minded leader
I follow the equity-minded framework developed by the University of Southern California (USC) Center for Urban Education. As I know that practice and taking action is critical to advancing equity work, this framework is compelling because it focuses on practice and practitioners that are race-conscious and aware of the social and historical context of exclusionary practices in higher education. Examples of equity-minded practices include developing reports that reflect the current state of equality, creating and measuring progress on equity goals, ensuring that minority and under-represented students are participating in activities such as honors programs and research opportunities, and routinely examining practices, policies and initiatives from an equity lens.
USC PDF: Developing a Practice of Equity-Mindedness
Examples:
CU Denver Academic Leadership Accelerator
I am co-leading the development and delivery of a year-long leadership program designed to support the growth and development of leaders while exploring what it means to lead in an equity-serving institution. Through leading this initiative, I hope to advance the capacity of academic leaders to act as equity-minded leaders, thereby influencing a more diverse, inclusive, equity-minded institution in which belonging matters. Participants in the Academic Leadership Accelerator Program include Department Chairs, Discipline Directors, Associate Deans, Deans, and the Provost. Some of the topics we have covered include, Values-Based Leadership, Understanding Privilege and its Role in Enhancing Equity, Building and Enhancing Trust, Brave Leadership in Courageous Cultures and Creating Psychological Safety in Teams. Program attributes include a Canvas course shell and membership to Academic Impressions.
Trained Search Advocate
The Search Advocate program was established by Oregon State University (OSU) in 2008 with the goal of promoting equity, validity, and diversity in searches. I am a trained Search Advocate. The sixteen hour training program addressed current research about implicit bias, diversity, the changing legal landscape in hiring, inclusive employment principles, practical strategies for each stage of the search process, and effective ways to be an advocate on a search committee.
Each Search Advocate is a consultant/participant who advances inclusive excellence by asking questions to help committee members test their thinking, identifying and promoting practices that advance diversity and social justice, and minimizing the impacts of cognitive and structural biases. As external committee members, advocates are able to explore assumptions, norms, and practices that an internal member might not question. The search advocate plays a vital role in position development, recruitment, screening, interviews, references, evaluation, and integration of the new faculty or staff member into the institution.
Dare to Lead Trained
Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead program is founded on years of research into courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy resulting in training programs that help leaders foster healthier human-centered workplace cultures that inspire connection, courage, authenticity, and trust.
A definition of leadership that guides my thinking and action is one developed by Brené Brown-
“A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential”