CAHP Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement

The College of Allied Health Professions Administration (CAHP) and the CAHP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEIC) at the University of South Alabama stand united in support of the advancement of individuals of color and minoritized groups by demonstrating efforts to advance social justice in our community. Our mission is to cultivate an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory environment and we are committed to advancing equity for all by fostering a culture which celebrates diversity. We are working diligently to ensure that people of color and any individuals who identify as being part of a minoritized group are valued, protected, supported, and included in our College. We believe that the equitable treatment and inclusion of diverse individuals is a moral and ethical imperative. Equity and inclusion are critical in moving the mission of the University of South Alabama forward.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee

Below we present information about our committee including its purpose and goals for our college, which are intentional and action-based.

▼   About Our Committee

The CAHP DEIC is an open committee that meets monthly and consists of 3 subcommittees devoted to: 1) Promoting education of faculty, staff, and students on the issues surrounding diversity, 2) Recruiting faculty, staff, and students from under-represented minority groups, and 3) Retaining individuals from underrepresented minority groups. We aim to instill the value of diversity in the workforce for students, faculty, and staff by educating the CAHP community and creating a more inclusive, safe, and diverse environment for our students, faculty, staff, and patients. Quarterly updates will be provided for the CAHP faculty and staff in regards to progress the committee is making. For information on joining the DEIC please contact Dr. Victoria Henbest or Ms. Erin Lunn.

▼   Committee's Purpose

This committee is charged to foster an environment that values equity, diversity, and inclusion in the College of Allied Health, by actively promoting and removing barriers for the advancement of individuals from cultural, linguistic, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diverse backgrounds, including individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with veteran status and those with disabilities. Our efforts focus on the recruitment, education, and retention of students and faculty from these diverse backgrounds and educating the CAHP community on the issues of diversity.

▼   Committee's Goals
  • Provide at minimum 1 educational opportunity for employees and students of the CAHP per semester.
  • The CAHP DEIC will participate in at minimum 1 professional development opportunity per academic year
  • Increase the CAHP diversity by increasing enrollment of diverse students by race/ethnicity in CAHP undergraduate programs from 39.7% in 2020 to 48% in 2025
  • Increase the CAHP diversity by increasing enrollment of diverse students by race/ethnicity in CAHP graduate programs from 11.5% in 2020 to 14% in 2025
  • Increase the CAHP diversity by increasing the number of diverse faculty by race/ethnicity from 10.2% in 2020 to 12% in 2025
▼   Committee's Projects/Initiatives
  1. Education Subcommittee
    • Implicit Bias training for CAHP DEIC committee members-Spring 2021
    • Implicit Bias training for CAHP faculty/staff-Spring 2022
    • So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo book discussion among DEIC committee members-currently in progress
  2. Recruitment Subcommittee
    • Stars and Stripes Program Host for minoritized high school students in collaboration with the Center for Healthy Communities -Summer 2021, 2022
    • Created recruitment toolbox for best practices in recruiting faculty, staff, and students of minoritized groups-2021
    • Readiness to change survey for holistic admissions-currently in progress
    • Development of undergraduate and graduate scholarships for students that identify as minoritized groups-Fall 2021
  3. Retention Subcommittee
    • Getting/Staying Connected Event-hosted Fall 2021 and currently scheduling for Summer 2022
    • Conducted focus groups for Junior and Senior level Allied Health students who identify as a part of a minoritized group to assist in identifying barriers in admissions into graduate programs-currently in progress; themes from interviews are being analyzed for dissemination
▼   Committee's Members

Please do not hesitate to reach out to any one of us should you have a question or concern, need an ally/mentor, or wish to learn more about our initiatives or join the committee.

Ms. Donna Cleveland – RAD
Ms. Missy Curtis – RAD
Dr. Robin Deacy – OT
Ms. Nancy Dunn – AHP
Mr. David Garmon – EMS
Dr. Gabriela Gorelik – BMD
Dr. Victoria Henbest – SPA
Ms. Kendra Hudson – SPA
Ms. Kasey Langley – AHP
Ms. Erin Lunn – PA
Dr. Heidi McDermott – PT
Ms. Bonnie Minton – PA
Ms. Jennifer Patterson – PT
Ms. Kayla Perkins – RAD
Dr. Phoibe Renema – BMD
Dr. Dania Rishiq – SPA
Ms. Tara Thompson – OT
Mr. Brent Wiles – SPA
Dr. Elizabeth Adams – Champion 

 

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