Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council

Legislative Charge

The Diversity Committee of the University of Southern Indiana was created in response to House Enrolled Act 1256, authorized by the 2007 Indiana General Assembly (IC-21-27-8-7) which requires that each public institution of higher education create a diversity committee to meet this legislative mandate. This committee is charged to:

1. Review and recommend faculty employment policies.
2. Review faculty and administration personnel complaints concerning diversity issues.
3. Make recommendations to promote and maintain cultural diversity among faculty members.
4. Make recommendations to promote recruitment and retention of minority students.
5. Issue an annual report stating the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the committee to the board.

The University’s existing Affirmative Action Committee was adapted to meet the requirements of IC 21-27-8-7.

Committee Objectives

1. Define the University’s vision of diversity and recommend methods to integrate that vision with existing University policies and procedures
2. Collect information on University programs and initiatives and community resources
3. Review University employment policies and processes and recommend improvements intended to increase hiring of diverse candidates
4. Review University complaint policies and processes concerning diversity issues and recommend improvements
5. Review University programs and processes, developing recommendations as appropriate for improvements to existing programs and processes and for new programs and initiatives that promote recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty and staff
6. Recommend methods that increase awareness of the University’s commitment to diversity
7. Assess University diversity training and communication needs and make recommendations
8. Develop methods to assess the University’s diversity efforts
9. Provide Annual Reports to the University’s Board of Trustees

Council Chair

Mrs. Pamela Hopson

Executive Director of Multicultural Center
Contact: 812-465-7188
University Center East 1246
Email

Council Members

Mr. John Farless

Chief Communications Officer
Contact: 812-228-5157
Creative and Print Center 111
Email

Dr. Brandi Hendricks

Director of Pathways to College Program
Adjunct - College of Liberal Arts
Interim Assistant Dean of Students
Contact: 812-464-1919
Byron C. Wright Administration Building 104P
Email
Website

Mrs. Kerseclia Patterson

SWI-AHEC Academic Outreach Coordinator
Contact: 812-228-5048
Health Professions Center 3088
Email

Mr. Rashad Smith

Executive Director of Enrollment
Contact: 812-465-7048
Robert D. Orr Center 1099
Email

Dr. Rex Strange

Associate Professor of Biology
Contact: 812-465-1008
Science Center 1265
Email
Website

Mr. Steven Stump

Director of the Center for Applied Research
Contact: 812-228-5094
University Center East 2259
Email

Mrs. Leslie Townsend

Director of Community Engagement and Historic New Harmony
Contact: 812-465-7013
University Center East 2210
Email

Mr. Aaron Trump

Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel
Contact: 812-464-1849
Byron C. Wright Administration Building 102K
Email

Dr. Emilija Zlatkovska

Affiliate Assistant Professor of English
Director of Intensive English Program
Executive Director of International Programs and Services
Contact: 812-461-5228
Robert D. Orr Center 3053
Email
Website

Students

Kelsey McCullough, former SGA President