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Council for Diversity and Inclusion

About Us

The purpose of the Council for Diversity and Inclusion is to serve as a resource for the Division of Access and Engagement as it works toward creating inclusive learning and work environments. The Council achieves this through partnerships, monitoring diversity data, and education. The Council is an organization whose collaboration, communication, and accountability structure works with the Chancellor’s Commissions to create a culture of inclusive excellence.

The purpose of the Council for Diversity and Inclusion is to serve as a resource for the Division of Access and Engagement as it works toward creating inclusive learning and work environments. The Council achieves this through partnerships, monitoring diversity data, and education. The Council is an organization whose collaboration, communication, and accountability structure works with the Chancellor’s Commissions to create a culture of inclusive excellence.

Goals

The Council shall:

  1. Support the Division for Access and Engagement and its initiatives
  2. Facilitate collaboration and communication across campus
  3. Financially support diversity initiatives and events on campus
  4. Support affinity groups (co-sponsoring events with affinity groups, providing opportunities for collaboration) that do not have an official organization on campus
  5. Provide a platform for commissions to share information with the Chancellor and DAE

Co-Chair: Ernest L. Brothers, Associate Dean, The Graduate School

Co-Chair: Abby Sherman, Coordinator of Student Services, The Graduate School

Previous Co-Chairs:

  • Renee Thomas
  • Julie Roe
  • Erin Darby
  • Jioni Lewis
  • Angela Batey
  • Alan Chesney
  • Marva Rudolph
  • Donna Thomas
  • Anton Reece
  • Herb Byrd
  • Tyvi Small
  • Tyler Johnson
  • Tanisha Jenkins
  • Eric Stokes
  • Floyd Akins

The Council for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) holds regular monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of each month during the academic year. Note that meetings may change due to spring/fall break, administrative closing, or holidays depending on when the third Wednesday falls. Additional meetings are scheduled as needed. The meeting agendas focus on diversity and inclusion at UT Knoxville. If you are not a member of CDI and are interested in attending a meeting as a guest or submitting an agenda item, please contact Sarah Browning, Coordinator of the Commissions and Council, at sbrowni2@utk.edu

Join the CDI

If you are interested in being a part of the Council or campus Commissions, learn more here.

Funding Requests

Learn more about the CDI fund and submit a request.

Awards

Learn more about the Dr. Marva Rudolph Diversity and Inclusion Unit Excellence Award.

Resources

View resources.

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