Smiling Black male student with KU campus in background.

Why Engage?

Through engagement in DEIB work, we join others committed to building KU workplaces and learning environments that welcome all people.  Our engagement expands opportunities for KU faculty, staff, and students to learn from each other, create and apply new knowledge, and have an impact in the world. Working together, we can build relationships that make it possible to strengthen inclusion and belonging on our campus, and in the world.

 

Key Questions to Consider

  • What groups or units do we hope will participate in strengthening KU’s DEIB efforts?
  • How can each stakeholder—administrators, faculty and staff, students, local partners—be meaningfully engaged in each aspect of the DEIB effort (i.e., assessment, planning, action, evaluation)?
  • Have key people been participating; including those from historically disadvantaged groups and those who have responsibility for advancing DEIB? If not fully, how can we better connect and encourage participation?
  • What guiding principles (e.g., inclusion, equity) and strengths (e.g., resources, networks) can help build trust and relationships among those working together for DEIB?
  • What structures will make DEIB work easier and more rewarding for administrators, faculty and staff, students, and partners?

 

Some Recommended Actions

  1. Identify what groups or units (e.g., KU schools and programs; administrative units, partners) we hope to engage in strengthening KU’s DEIB efforts.
  2. Reach out through trusted people, organizations, and networks.
  3. Communicate the need and benefits of being involved in DEIB work.
  4. Improve peoples’ abilities to be involved in DEIB work (e.g., provide information, skill training, technical support).
  5. Establish and use guiding principles (e.g., inclusion, equity,) and assets (e.g., resources, networks, opportunities, experience and diversity on campus) to build trust and relationships among those working together for DEIB.
  6. Establish an environment and support structures to make DEIB work easier and more rewarding. (Some considerations to be addressed: time, effort, cost, and location; ensuring respectful interactions; making DEIB work rewarding.)

 

Photo of Jasmine Moore, MBSP.

“For me, MBSP has been a program that has not only helped me excel academically in the University but has also helped connect me with new opportunities and even other scholarships that have enabled me to take my experience here at KU to a new level that I may not have been able to achieve on my own.”
— Jasmine Moore, MBSP Alumna

 

Examples of Engagement

  • KU School of Business- Recent engagement events include the student-led IMPACT Conference and the Multicultural Business Scholars Program. These two programs address systemic inequality and open opportunities for all Jayhawks to thrive.
  • KU School of Theatre & Dance- The production of the Cabaret musical explores issues of antisemitism, ethnic difference, and gender identity for 21st century audiences.
  • Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity– Programs that open opportunities for LBGTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty to thrive at KU.

 

Resources to Help You Engage

Engagement Tools from the Community Tool Box

 

Engagement Resources from KU and Other Sources