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Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts “The investment in the creation of a Cultural Center is a significant step forward in becoming increasingly deliberate about centering and affirming minoritized identities.” CANDACE OKELLO Associate Dean of Student Affairs
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estminster’s commitment to building a culturally and racially diverse community continues with plans to develop a new campus Cultural Center and a Teaching Fellows Project aimed to attract educators from diverse backgrounds.
about centering and affirming minoritized
Both projects, included in a total of $1 million in investments approved and funded by the Westminster College Board of Trustees, support the College’s Student Engagement and Support in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Action Plan, which aims to build a campus culture that values and advances DEI efforts.
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The Cultural Center, which will be developed this summer, will be centrally located in the former campus gift shop on the main level of McKelvey Campus Center. The center will offer programming as well as study and lounge spaces. “The investment in the creation of a Cultural Center is a significant step forward in becoming increasingly deliberate 10 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
identities,” said Candace Okello ‘11, associate dean of student affairs. Through the Teaching Fellows Project, Westminster hopes to attract post-doctoral candidates from historically minoritized groups who can bring underrepresented Westminster’s academic programs. Under the project, two full-time fellows will receive two-year appointments, giving them the opportunity to further develop their teaching skills and continue pursuing research projects in collaboration with students. Fellows will be encouraged to offer guest lectures in different courses or for the community and represent Westminster by presenting at national conferences. Fellows will be expected to contribute to the College’s First-Year Program and be mentored by faculty members. Teaching Fellows are expected to be in place for the 2023-2024 academic year.
