ATLANTA — The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s Standards of Professional Practice Institute reinforced several central tenets that organizers said are essential to supporting chief diversity officers in their efforts to accomplish institutional goals for diversity, equity and inclusion.
Relationship-building, thinking strategically about the larger goal of diversity work and connecting with a wide representation of diversity practitioners from various institutional types were among the most prominent takeaways stated by institute participants here.
“The work can be very isolating and generally toxic because you’re problem-solving, you are a change agent, you are handling things that can make or break a person’s experience [or] the institution’s trajectory,” said Dr. Armenta Hinton, Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Title IX at Elizabethtown College. “All of that is very, very important…and it’s very important to have comrades, colleagues who are doing similar things who can be your support.”
Hinton pointed out that the chief diversity officer at an institution typically manages a staff or team.
“So, who nourishes you?” she asked. “Sometimes you need that external nourishment.”
Dr. Donald A. Outing, Lehigh University’s Vice President for Equity and Community, said he encouraged participants to spend time engaged in conversations to learn the perspectives of other diversity officers.
“As you start building your network, you have a better understanding of who you can turn to or rely on for advice and information, and also capturing individuals and organizations that have been through some of the things that you’re going to experience,” Outing said. “You can reach out to them so you don’t repeat past mistakes.”
