Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity
Mission
The University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice is committed to fostering a community that values diversity in all its forms, including diversity of thought, perspective, and experience. By embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, identities, and worldviews, we create an environment that promotes rigorous inquiry, innovation, and mutual respect. We believe that the exchange of diverse ideas is essential to addressing complex societal challenges and preparing individuals to lead with empathy and impact in an interconnected world.
Empowering Engagement
We invite all members of our community to participate in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.
Building Community
We strive to create an environment where all members feel valued, respected and heard.
In the 2014--15 academic year, a group of students led a multi-level effort, including meetings, petitions, and community forums urging the Crown Family School (then SSA) to better address social justice, diversity and inclusion issues. This Report outlines the Task Force's recommendations, and actions taken since the release of the fall 2015 report.
In 2024 the IE&D Committee developed a 5-Year Strategic Roadmap with goals based on the Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity framework for the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice and guided by the University of Chicago Diversity and Inclusion framework. This Roadmap includes a four-pronged strategy that includes Infrastructure, Climate, People, and Community.
The role of the Crown Family School’s Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Committee (IED) is to advise, guide, and support the advancement of initiatives that build and strengthen the educational, organizational, and institutional climate of the School with respect to inclusion, equity, and diversity.
This work is guided by the University of Chicago’s Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Strategic Roadmap and follows the University of Chicago’s Diversity and Equity four-pronged approach focusing on:
- Infrastructure
- Climate
- People
- Community
Members of the faculty and staff are appointed by the Dean, with the Dean of Students appointed ex officio. Student members are appointed through an application process.
The IED Committee is comprised of students, staff and faculty. Staff and faculty are appointed to one-year terms by the Dean of the Crown Family School. Student representatives apply to serve a one-year term; student applications are reviewed by all committee members, who collectively vote on student representatives.
Ming-Te Wang, Professor,Chair of IED Committee
Deborah Gorman-Smith, Dean & Emily Klein Gidwitz Professor (ex-officio)
Tonishea M. Jackson, Associate Dean, Marketing & Communications
Tinishia Legaux Washington, Director, Urban Teacher Education Program
Harold Pollack, Helen Ross Distinguished Service Professor Associated Faculty, Public Health Sciences
Kristen Reid-Salomon, Dean of Students, Diversity and Inclusion (ex-officio)
S Simmons, Assistant Instructional Professor