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Atlanta, GA | Posted: November 1, 2019
Courtney Hill
Communications Manager
Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
courtney.hill@gatech.edu
Summary Sentence:
Georgia Tech’s Institute Diversity has been renamed Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (IDEI).
Full Summary:
Georgia Tech’s Institute Diversity office has been renamed Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (IDEI), and has created the Equity and Compliace Programs unit.
Institute Diversity is now Institute Diversity, Equity, and InclusionGeorgia Tech’s Institute Diversity – established in 2010 – has been renamed Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (IDEI).
The new name is a reflection of the vast and varied diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives the office provides for the campus community and will assume under the leadership of President Àngel Cabrera.
In addition to the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI); Staff Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement (SDIE); the Center for the Study of Women, Science and Technology (WST); the LGBTQIA Resource Center and the Georgia Tech ADVANCE Program, IDEI will also oversee the Georgia Tech Title IX and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance offices.
Cabrera referred to the changes in his inaugural Institute Address in September.
“After careful consideration and discussions with our senior leadership team, I have decided to transfer Georgia Tech’s Title IX office from the Office of the General Counsel to the renamed Office of Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our top priority in cases of sexual violence is the well-being of the individuals involved, and this transfer will underscore that very clearly. The changes will also affect our ADA function, which will also transfer to the Office of Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”
Cabrera continued, “Throughout my career, it has become clear to me that diversity makes a community stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Promoting diversity will be an important part of my work here because it’s the right thing to do and because it makes all of us better.”
Archie Ervin, vice president for IDEI and the Institute’s chief diversity officer, echoed Cabrera’s commitment.
“As outlined in its strategic plan, Georgia Tech is dedicated to engaging its campus community in the welcoming of diversity in all its forms. The Title IX and ADA Compliance entities will continue to ensure non-discriminatory behaviors on the basis of sex, gender identity, and disability upon our campus.”
He added, “I began initial discussions regarding the possible rebranding of an Institute Diversity office renaming and reorganization with President Cabrera shortly before his arrival. He and I are excited to expand the footprint of this office to include equity and compliance in its portfolio.”
The addition of Title IX and ADA Compliance led Ervin to create the IDEI Equity and Compliance Programs unit. Led by Burns Newsome, executive director for Equity and Compliance Programs (formerly the director of Title IX Compliance), the unit also includes Marcia Bull Stadeker, Title IX coordinator, and J. Denise Johnson-Marshall, ADA coordinator.
The number of programs and initiatives offered by IDEI has grown significantly over the past few years including the addition of implicit bias workshop trainings for faculty; the expansion of the LGBTQIA Resource Center in 2018; the creation of College diversity councils; and the expansion of student-serving initiatives such as OMED’s Challenge program and recent addition of the Women of Color Initiative.
“We intend to broaden the definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Georgia Tech under the umbrella of IDEI programs,” added Ervin. “The name change marks an exciting new chapter for our office and the work we do for the Georgia Tech community.”
Learn more about Institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at diversity.gatech.edu.
