An Update on the Diversity Advocate Certification Program | BY BETSY MANS
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n fall of 2019, Willette A. Capers joined campus as the director for diversity, equity and inclusion. Since then, she was promoted to assistant dean and has been blazing trails and fostering change throughout the community. The Diversity Advocate Certification Program launched, providing courses of varying subject matter to further educate faculty, staff and students about diversity, equity and inclusion. “The first year we held it,” Capers commented, “we had 30 participants, but this last year we had 86! People who attended were pioneers in realizing the importance of the change we want to see on campus.” Attendees complete courses as their schedules allow and are certified graduates after completion. Wendy Mamer, assistant director of admission, was one of the program’s first graduates. “Graduating with the first group was really fun and special,” she said. “My background is Guatemalan. I come from a white community and was adopted by white parents. The program had a profound impact on my life, especially being a person of color in a white community. I can’t thank Willette enough for this program. It made me feel like I found a part of myself.”
ALWAYS LEARNING Pamela Miller, chief of staff, received her certification early in the
program’s history as well. “I’ve been a diversity advocate for a long time, but have so much more to learn. The intersectionality course was my favorite because it helped us realize how we are all connected in ways we didn’t realize. “One exercise involved introducing myself without using my name, job, interests or where I was from,” Miller continued. “Those are things that describe me. The struggle you then feel is what someone who is of a different background may feel and doesn’t think they can share everything about themselves without penalty.” Augustana’s core values guide decisions made every day. They include: Christian, liberal arts, excellence, community and service. “In celebrating our Christian heritage,” Miller said, “we are called to be open and understanding about all humanity, faiths, backgrounds and walks of life. This curriculum is designed to move our university forward in diversity, equity and inclusion.” The program provides an open and welcoming environment of learning for anyone who wishes to attend. 2
THE AUGUSTANA | SPRING 2021
“PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED WERE PIONEERS IN REALIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE ON CAMPUS.” - Willette A. Capers, Assistant Dean of Students
