Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
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Committee Overview
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee contributes to the overall strategic focus of the Jefferson Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement to ensure that the composition of our faculty, staff and students reflect the communities we serve, while focusing on improving health outcomes by training physicians, nurses and staff to provide culturally appropriate care.
Specifically, Jefferson College of Nursing’s DEI Committee aims to:
- Put People First: Sustain diversity leadership through the activities of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee and other initiatives at Jefferson College of Nursing to enhance a broader range of perspectives and approaches at the larger university and community level to better serve our diverse population of faculty, students, staff, and communities.
- Be Bold and Think Differently: Provide a culture of trust, respect, and transparency, by understanding the influencing factors and intersections of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, people with disabilities, novice and experts, religious and political beliefs, and other ideologies and perspectives.
- Do The Right Thing: Have a zero-tolerance standpoint for indifference, inaction, and disrespect for issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Members
| Stephen DiDonato | Associate Professor; Chair of DEI Committee |
| Mei Lin Chen-lim | Assistant Professor; Chair-Elect |
| Karla A. Bell | Associate Professor |
| Kathryn Shaffer | Associate Professor |
| Lisa Whitfield-Harris | Associate Professor |
| Cecilia Borden | Assistant Professor |
| Josh Jayasinghe | Assistant Professor |
| Caitlyn Moore | Assistant Professor |
| Valerie Clary-Muronda | Assistant Professor |
| Marilynn Murphy | Assistant Professor |
| Jennie Ryan | Assistant Professor |
| Barbara Butynski | Instructor |
| Michele Orzehoski | Instructor |
| Avani Rajkotia | Instructor |
| Leah Keslen | Director, Human Capital Management |
Annual Goals
Each year, the Jefferson College of Nursing DEI Committee sets goals in the areas of Education, People and Community. This includes an overarching College of Nursing DEI action plan.
2024-25 Objectives/Goals:
Education and Awareness:
Objective 1: By November 2024, develop a procedures and schedule for the development of a JCN micro-learning channel.
Objective 2: By May 2025, develop and deploy four DEI related micro-learning asynchronous modules.
Objective 3: By July 2025, 75% of faculty will complete the DEIB Inclusive Course Design and Teaching tool in 1 of their spring or pre-fall/summer 2025 courses.
People:
Objective 1: Beginning with AY 2025-2026, ensure that a DEI committee representative presents on DEI at JCN for new student orientation.
Objective 2: By January 2025, have a plan in place to enhance student engagement with DEI committee and advisory committee.
Objective 3: During the 2025 Spring semester, implement “Let’s Connect” voluntary groups with students.
Community Impact and Engagement:
Objective 1: On a monthly basis, work with Kimberly Schoy to ensure that the JCN DEI website is current.
Objective 2: Beginning in September 2024, a DEI committee member will meet with all new staff and faculty to discuss JCN DEI Action Plan.
Objective 3: Support Dean's Anti-Racism Movie Series by supporting the planning of 2025 screenings